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Premium rates have risen for managed care companies in the year 2001 and this is likely to continue in the future. The Patient's Bill of Rights is also pending in the Congress. Investors need to consider both safety and timeliness ratings when evaluating these securities.

Technological advances, changed review procedures at the Food and Drug Administration, increased merger and acquisition activity, and other factors were some of the trends that accelerated stock prices in the medical supplies industry in the 1990s. However, market maturation, pricing pressures and economic weaknesses overseas have made the end of the decade more challenging for this sector. Most stocks in this industry will only match the market in the year 2000, but some have good price potential for the year ahead.

The companies which comprise the medical supplies industry have grown and diversified in the 1990s mainly through acquisitions and this trend to consolidation is expected to continue in 1999 and the year 2000. Stock valuations for the industry, however, have decreased in 1999 and there are concerns about the effect of rising interest rates on stock prices, as well. These stocks are expected to perform with the market in 1999 and the year 2000, and investors need to be selective in their options.

There has been a price erosion for the stocks in the medical supplies industry in early 1999 due to legislative concerns, rotation of investor sentiment in the market, and rising interest rates. However, the increased standards of living around the world, the aging population in the US and other industrialized countries, and new products are favorable for the industry for the long term. Investors will find some worthwhile stocks in this sector, but they need to seek the best prospects in terms of stock price and product diversity.

The factors affecting the medical supplies industry's future performance include the development of new technologies and pressure to control healthcare costs. Given those factors, some companies will suffer, but those with cost-effective products will thrive. Healthcare stocks are generally perceived as defensive, but they have proved vulnerable to the market's increased volatility.

Analyst David Taylor discusses the prospects for the stocks of Kohl's, Sunrise Medical, Cato, Fred Meyer and HealthCare Compare. Taylor says investors should concentrate on a small number of high-quality, high-growth issues.

Sunrise Medical shares, which had traded as high as $36 in early '95, steadily slid to $10 in April, prior to their recent bounce to the $15 level. Estimates and [...]

* Sunrise Medical Inc., the parent company of Bio-Clinic and Comfort Sleeper, leading manufacturers of foam pads and pillows, has reported a public offering of 3 million primary shares of [...]

TORRANCE, Cal.--Sunrise Medical Inc. has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission covering the proposed public offering by the company of 2,500,000 shares of its common stock. [...]

Torrance-based Sunrise Medical Inc. filed an S-4 registration statement with the SEC for 500,000 shares of common stock valued at $17 [...]

Pic 'N' Save stock a |speculative attraction,' but stay away from Unocal Corp. shares Some recommendations from Wall Street brokerage houses on Southland stocks: Pic 'N' Save Inc.: Investment advisory [...]

Wall Street brokerage firms recommend Sunrise Medical and Western Waste stock Some recent recommendations from Wall Street brokerage houses on Southland stocks: Sunrise Medical Inc.: Brokerage Kidder, Peabody called this [...]

Sunrise Medical Inc. Torrance-based Sunrise Medical Inc. filed an S-8 registration statement with the SEC for 300,000 shares of common stock valued at $6.75 [...]

Sunrise Medical Inc. Torrance-based Sunrise Medical Inc. filed an S-8 registration statement with the SEc for 200,000 shares of common stock valued at [...]