ResMed, Inc. (NYSE:RMD) recently closed its acquisition of South Korea-based HB Healthcare (“HBH”). This development aligns with the company’s strategy to strengthen foothold in the high-potential international sleep apnea market.
To note, ResMed currently caters to markets in more than 120 countries. HBH, in the meanwhile, is a prominent home medical equipment provider in South Korea.
About the Acquisition
By accessing the wider network of HBH’s distribution partners, this cloud-connected sleep and respiratory care device major aims to expand its consumer base. Financial terms of the acquisition deal have been kept under wrap.
How Strategic is the Deal?
The HB Healthcare takeover is expected ensure access to innovative medical care for millions of South Koreans suffering from sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other respiratory ailments. Per a study by Ansan Hospital, Korea University and the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every five adults suffer from sleep apnea in Korea.
Over the past decade, ResMed has been selling sleep and respiratory care devices in Korea. Those who need to use home ventilation for the treatment of COPD and other respiratory ailments can use their health insurance provider to rent any medical device from ResMed.
In Korea, ResMed provides a comprehensive range of home ventilators through its distribution partners to patients. Those ventilators will be cloud-connectable later this year.
The Korean government recently announced health insurance coverage diagnosis of sleep apnea and purchase of CPAP treatment devices. Considering these prospects, this acquisition deal is strategically timed.
Global Prospects
The worldwide sleep apnea market is projected to reach a worth of $6.49 billion at a CAGR of 7.8% during the 2018-2023 period. The factors driving this market are increasing the prevalence of sleep apnea, advancement of technology, increase of government awareness, etc.
International Expansion
Of late, ResMed has progressed significantly in terms of reimbursement of products. This has resulted in increased adoption of the company’s cloud-connected devices in Japan. France also tapped into the reimbursement incentives that went into effect last year. South Korea and Germany reported to have benefitted from the reimbursement of ResMed’s products.
Price Performance
Over the past year, the ResMed stock has underperformed the industry it belongs to. The stock has risen a marginal 0.8% while the industry rallied 4.1%.
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
ResMed has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). A few better-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are ABIOMED, Inc., (NASDAQ:ABMD) , Varian Medical Systems, Inc. (NYSE:VAR) and Masimo, Inc. (NASDAQ:MASI) . Notably, each of these stocks currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
ABIOMED’s long-term earnings growth rate is expected at 27.67%.
Varian’s long-term earnings growth rate is projected at 8.00%.
Masimo’s long-term earnings are projected to grow 15.60%.
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