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What's in Store for Varian Medical (VAR) in Q1 Earnings?

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Varian Medical Systems, Inc.’s first-quarter fiscal 2020 results are scheduled to release on Jan 29, after market close. In the last reported quarter, the company’s earnings met estimates. It has a positive surprise of 1.6% for the trailing four quarters, on average.
Let’s take a look at how things are shaping up prior to this announcement.
Estimates Picture
Currently, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter revenues is pegged at $830.8 million, suggesting growth of 12.1% from the year-ago number. The same for adjusted earnings per share (EPS) stands at $1.21, indicating a year-over-year improvement of 14.2%.
Key Catalysts
Varian’s solid Oncology platform prospects are expected to have driven first-quarter results. Not to forget, in the last reported quarter, the segment accounted for 93.3% of net sales.
Notably, Varian’s key radiotherapy solutions — Eclipse and TrueBeam — are currently seeing robust demand from healthcare vendors. Additionally, the Eclipse Treatment Planning software and ARIA Oncology Information system have been picked by three centers in Serbia.
That’s not all. The company won its first big software tender in China at Tianjin Tumor Hospital, which has implemented the ARIA China Clinical Information platform. This is also expected to reflect in first-quarter results.
Management is also optimistic about the CTSI acquisition in early 2019, which has been integrated into the Oncology unit and RapidPlan, which is witnessing solid demand. Moreover, through acquisitions of Endocare, Alicon and Boston Scientific’s (BSX - Free Report) microspheres portfolio, Varian has strengthened its Interventional Oncology Solutions arm.
Reflective of these, Varian issued a strong view for fiscal 2020.
The company expects revenues within $3.52-$3.61 billion, representing year-over-year growth of 9-12% and organic growth of 7-9%.
Adjusted EPS is projected between $5.30 and $5.45.
Operating margin is expected between 17.5% and 18.5%, while cash flow from operations is projected in the band of $450-$500 million.
However, Varian has been facing headwinds in Japan which impacted the company’s APAC revenues in the last reported quarter. In fact, management expects to see continued headwinds in Japan in the first half of fiscal 2020.
Earnings Whispers
Per our proven model, a stock needs to have a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) to deliver a positive earnings surprise. This is not the case here as you will see below.
Earnings ESP: Varian Medical has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. 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 #3.  You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
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.
DexCom (DXCM - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +17.07% and a Zacks Rank #2.
Baxter International (BAX - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.32% and a Zacks Rank #3.
The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All
Last year, it generated $24 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $77.6 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.
See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>
Varian Medical Systems, Inc.’s first-quarter fiscal 2020 results are scheduled to release on Jan 29, after market close. In the last reported quarter, the company’s earnings met estimates. It has a positive surprise of 1.6% for the trailing four quarters, on average.
 
Let’s take a look at how things are shaping up prior to this announcement.
 
Estimates Picture
 
Currently, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter revenues is pegged at $830.8 million, suggesting growth of 12.1% from the year-ago number. The same for adjusted earnings per share (EPS) stands at $1.21, indicating a year-over-year improvement of 14.2%.
 
Varian Medical Systems, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
 

Key Catalysts
 
Varian’s solid Oncology platform prospects are expected to have driven first-quarter results. Not to forget, in the last reported quarter, the segment accounted for 93.3% of net sales.
 
Notably, Varian’s key radiotherapy solutions — Eclipse and TrueBeam — are currently seeing robust demand from healthcare vendors. Additionally, the Eclipse Treatment Planning software and ARIA Oncology Information system have been picked by three centers in Serbia.
 
That’s not all. The company won its first big software tender in China at Tianjin Tumor Hospital, which has implemented the ARIA China Clinical Information platform. This is also expected to reflect in first-quarter results.
 
Management is also optimistic about the CTSI acquisition in early 2019, which has been integrated into the Oncology unit and RapidPlan, which is witnessing solid demand. Moreover, through acquisitions of Endocare, Alicon and Boston Scientific’s (BSX - Free Report) microspheres portfolio, Varian has strengthened its Interventional Oncology Solutions arm.
 
Reflective of these, Varian issued a strong view for fiscal 2020.
 
The company expects revenues within $3.52-$3.61 billion, representing year-over-year growth of 9-12% and organic growth of 7-9%.
 
Adjusted EPS is projected between $5.30 and $5.45.
 
Operating margin is expected between 17.5% and 18.5%, while cash flow from operations is projected in the band of $450-$500 million.
 
However, Varian has been facing headwinds in Japan which impacted the company’s APAC revenues in the last reported quarter. In fact, management expects to see continued headwinds in Japan in the first half of fiscal 2020.
 
Earnings Whispers
 
Per our proven model, a stock needs to have a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) to deliver a positive earnings surprise. This is not the case here as you will see below.
 
Earnings ESP: Varian Medical has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. 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 #3.  You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
 
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.
 
DexCom (DXCM - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +17.07% and a Zacks Rank #2.
 
Baxter International (BAX - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.32% and a Zacks Rank #3.
 
The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All
 
Last year, it generated $24 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $77.6 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.

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