Why Mead Johnson Shares Popped
Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.
What: Shares of children's nutrition specialist Mead Johnson were looking healthier today, gaining as much as 13% after posting strong quarterly results.
So what: The maker of infant formula and other nutrition products beat estimates on both top and bottom lines, posting a $0.72 profit per share when analysts were expecting $0.68. The company's outlook also seemed to surprise the market, as Mead Johnson has had problems in China recently after raising prices on a popular formula. Still, its EPS forecast of $3.22 to $3.30 is slightly below analysts' target at $3.33.
Now what:Mead Johnson had also been concerned about a lower birth rate in North America, and the subsidizing of breast pumps under the Affordable Care Act could disincentivize further formula purchases. Based on forward estimates, this stock is not cheap at a 2013 P/E of 23, and growth seems to be slowing as sales rose only 8% in the fourth quarter. I'd wait for signs that conditions are improving before getting on board.
Stay connected with Mead Johnson.
Add Mead Johnson Nutrition to My Watchlist.
The article Why Mead Johnson Shares Popped originally appeared on Fool.com.
Fool contributor Jeremy Bowman has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
