Why OraSure Technologies Shares Vaulted Higher

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 OraSure Technologies Inc. , a manufacturer of oral fluid diagnostic and specimen collection devices, shot higher by as much as 19% after reporting market-topping second-quarter results.

So what: For the second quarter, OraSure reported an 8% increase in revenue to $24.3 million, including $2 million in revenue from its In-Home HIV test (which wasn't around at this time last year), and $4.7 million in sales from its molecular collection systems subsidiary DNA Genotek, a 39% increase over last year. Adjusted loss for the quarter widened, however, to $0.10 per share. Comparatively, though, OraSure delivered higher revenue and a narrower loss than the Street was looking for -- $23.7 million and an EPS loss of $0.15. Looking ahead, OraSure sees third-quarter revenue of $24 million to $24.5 million and a loss ranging from $0.09 to $0.10 per share. The sales figures are in-line with Wall Street forecasts, but the loss is also smaller than the current $0.12 per share consensus.

Now what: OraSure is a company that I really, really like on paper. In-home diagnostics is still a largely untapped market -- as is diagnostic collection -- and I foresee a big push over the coming decades into any medical area that personalizes results or treatment to the user. What continues to hold me back is OraSure's lack of a profit, primarily tied to a less-than-perfect spending environment. Let's face it, the U.S. consumer is dealing with less money in their pocket right now because of higher payroll taxes, and Europe's austerity measures are putting a lid on any government spending in that region. While I do see good things for OraSure over the very long run, I'd suggest waiting for the company to return to profitability before even considering it as an investment for your portfolio.

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The article Why OraSure Technologies Shares Vaulted Higher originally appeared on Fool.com.

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