Health Stocks in Motion

Updated from 2:24 p.m. EST

Shares of Hospira(HSP Quote) were among the worst-performing health-related stocks Monday. The stock fell 8.2% after the company trimmed its 2005 earnings and sales forecast, warning that results would fall below consensus estimates.

Excluding items, the hospital-products maker expects to post a profit of $1.53 to $1.60 a share on sales of about $2.5 billion. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had been expecting earnings of $1.76 a share on sales of $2.62 billion. In November, the company predicted that it would post adjusted earnings of $1.65 to $1.70 a share on sales of $2.6 billion. Shares traded down $2.59 to $28.89.

Despite posting second-quarter results that topped expectations as well as raising 2005 estimates, Accredo Health(ACDO Quote) fell modestly on Monday. The pharmacy-services company earned $20.2 million, or 41 cents a share, on sales of $503.9 million during the second quarter. Analysts were expecting earnings of 40 cents a share on sales of $488.5 million. A year ago the company earned $19.9 million, or 41 cents a share, on sales of $389.8 million. Looking ahead, Accredo raised its 2005 earnings forecast to $1.56 to $1.61 a share, up from previous guidance of $1.53 to $1.60 a share. Sales are expected to be $1.85 billion to $1.9 billion. Analysts are expecting earnings of $1.61 a share on sales of $1.88 billion. Shares traded down 20 cents to $29.78.

Shares of Haemonetics(HAE Quote) rose 6.6% after the maker of blood-processing systems posted third-quarter earnings and sales above expectations. The company earned $11 million, or 42 cents a share, on sales of $98.1 million. Analysts were expecting earnings of 37 cents a share on sales of $94.3 million. The company's blood-bank disposables segment jumped to $34 million in sales, up 14.8% vs. a year ago, which helped offset a 9.4% decline in the company's plasma-disposables segment. Shares traded up $2.41 to $38.87.

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