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Varian Medical (VAR) Q4 Earnings: Is a Surprise in Store?

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Varian Medical Systems Inc.  is expected to report fourth-quarter fiscal 2018 earnings on Oct 23, after market closes.

Favorable revenue opportunity from the Oncology and Imaging Component products, growing adoption of Proton Therapy and strong overseas presence are likely to drive the company’s earnings in the to-be-reported quarter.

Last-Quarter Results

In the last reported quarter, Varian Medical’s adjusted earnings of $1.04 per share trumped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.01. Also, the figure improved 26.8% on a year-over-year basis.

Revenues totaled $709.1 million, which beat the consensus mark of $664.9 million. On a year-over-year basis, revenues rose 12.1-10% at constant currency (cc).

Which Way are the Estimates Treading?

Currently, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter revenues is pegged at $762.7 million, reflecting a rise of 3.2%. The same for adjusted earnings is pegged at $1.19, indicating a 9.2% growth on a year-over-year basis.

Let’s discuss the factors that are likely to impact Varian Medical’s upcoming quarterly results.

Varian Medical Systems, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

 

 

Oncology to Boost Growth

We are upbeat about the oncology business that contributed around 94.1% tothe company’s total revenues in the third quarter. In the said quarter, oncology revenues totaled $667 million, up 18% year over year. The figure improved 16% at cc.

Notably, Varian Medical’s solid performance in the Oncology business, margin expansion and prospects in the Halcyon radiotherapy treatment system are likely to be the key highlights of the fiscal fourthquarter. Moreover, the company has been addressing the tier 1 and mid-tier markets through its Edge, Truebeam and VitalBeam products and winning international contracts in the oncology space.

Management continues to believe that 360 Oncology will be a driver of future growth for the company, especially in the cancer care coordination market.

Earnings Whispers

Per our proven model, a stock needs to have a positive Earnings ESPand a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) to deliver a positive earnings surprise in the fiscal fourth quarter. This is not the case here as you will see below.

Earnings ESP:Varian Medical has an Earnings ESP of -0.84%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Zacks Rank:Varian Medical carries a Zacks Rank #4. Please note that we caution against stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 or 5 (Strong Sell) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revision.

Stocks Worth a Look

Here are a few medical stocks worth considering as they have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter.

Bio-Rad Laboratories (BIO - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +9.60% and a Zacks Rank #3.

Baxter International Inc (BAX - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.90% and a Zacks Rank #2.

Masimo Corporation (MASI - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.98% and a Zacks Rank #2.

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