Market Cheers Healthcare Firms' Plans To Combine
Friday, August 27, 2010 CANSLIM.net
Healthspring Inc (HS +$2.11 or +11.47% to $20.50) gapped up today after announcing news that it will acquire Bravo Health for $545 million. It was featured in the mid-day report (read here) rallying from a short flat base after finding support above its 50-day moving average (DMA) and 200 DMA lines during its light volume pullback following an earlier (7/29/10) breakout. It faces resistance at its 52-week high and the M criteria remains a concern until a follow-through day emerges. Quarterly and annual earnings comparisons have showed strong +25%. or greater increases (good C and A criteria) history. Street estimates had not been calling for great earnings growth in FY '11, and the effects of recent healthcare legislation have made it difficult to make conclusions concerning the outlook of many healthcare companies, however the fresh M&A news was cheered on Friday. Its weekly chart shows a few recent weeks with gains backed by above average volume, a reassuring sign of institutional buying demand.