Why Advisory Board 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 The Advisory Board Company were up as much as 12% today, after the consulting firm beat top and bottom-line estimates in its quarterly report.

So what: The Advisory Board said revenue grew 19.1%, to $119.7 million, beating estimates of $117.9 million. Adjusted earnings per share, meanwhile, came in at $0.33, better than the analyst consensus at $0.29. In addition to the strong financial results above, CEO Robert Musselwhite noted a 10% increase in the company's membership base, and a 90% institutional renewal rate. The Advisory Board reaffirmed guidance for the 2013 calendar year, saying it expects revenue of $495-$505 million, and adjusted EPS of $1.18-$1.28.

Now what: The Advisory Board appears to be one of several hidden companies that are poised to benefit from Obamacare, as Musselwhite touted the launch of its ICD-10 Performance Program, "which will help our members navigate the upcoming transition in our nation's system for coding, reporting, and billing medical diagnoses and inpatient procedures." I'd normally say this stock is overpriced, but the health-care connection adds some intrigue. To see what happens to The Advisory Board, add the company to your Watchlist here.

The article Why Advisory Board Shares Popped originally appeared on Fool.com.

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