Here's Why Investors Should Hold DaVita (DVA) Stock Now

DaVita Inc. (NYSE:DVA) is gaining prominence in the MedTech space, courtesy of its incessant efforts to upgrade services, global expansion initiatives and acquisitions. The company has a market capitalization of approximately $9.80 billion.

However, DaVita incurred additional expenses in fourth-quarter 2018. These expenses include $30 million of advocacy costs in countering union policy efforts including ballot initiatives. Additionally, it incurred an additional charge of $252 million on the DMG business and a $42-million goodwill impairment charge.

In a year’s time, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has lost 19.1%, significantly wider than the industry’s 11.5% decline.

Here we take a quick look at the factors that ensure near-term recovery of DaVita’s dull price performance.

Factors to Boost DaVita

DaVita has been steadily expanding in international markets. In the last few years, the company has strengthened its position in the emerging and developing markets of Brazil, China, Colombia, Germany, India, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Saudi Arabia through strategic alliances as well as acquisitions of dialysis centers.

These strategic efforts are expected to help DaVita deliver more efficient patient care. Currently, DaVita is seeking to expand in major European and Asian countries via acquisitions and partnerships. In the fourth quarter, international dialysis patient service and other revenues totaled $124 million, up 30.5% year over year.

In the United States, DaVita has witnessed strong demand of dialysis services in recent times. In the fourth quarter of 2018, the company provided dialysis services at 2,905 outpatient dialysis centers, of which 2,664 centers were located in the United States and 241 in nine countries outside the country. Notably, fourth-quarter U.S. dialysis and related lab services’ revenues grossed $2.63 billion, up 10% from the prior-year quarter.

Which Way Are Estimates Headed?

For 2019, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $11.60 billion, up 1.7% year over year. For adjusted earnings, the same is pinned at $4.42, up 23.8% year over year.

DaVita Inc. Price and Consensus

DaVita Inc. Price and Consensus | DaVita Inc. Quote

Key Picks

A few better-ranked stocks in the MedTech space are Surmodics, Inc (NASDAQ:SRDX) , Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) and Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSII) .

Surmodics has a long-term expected earnings growth rate of 10%. The stock sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Abbott’s long-term earnings growth rate is projected at 11.7%. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Cardiovascular Systems exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average being 77.1%. The stock sports a Zacks Rank of 1.

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