Varian Medical Systems Inc. (VAR): Today's Featured Health Care Winner

Varian Medical Systems Inc (VAR) pushed the Health Care sector higher today making it today's featured health care winner. The sector as a whole closed the day down 0.8%. By the end of trading, Varian Medical Systems Inc rose 34 cents (0.6%) to $56.87 on light volume. Throughout the day, 638,335 shares of Varian Medical Systems Inc exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 1.5 million shares. The stock ranged in a price between $56.29-$57.50 after having opened the day at $56.45 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $56.53. Other companies within the Health Care sector that increased today were: POZEN Inc (POZN), up 44.8%, American Caresource Holdings Inc (ANCI), up 13.5%, Bionovo Inc (BNVI), up 12.2%, and Xoma (XOMA), up 11.6%.

Varian Medical Systems, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, sells, and services equipment and software products for treating cancer; and x-ray products worldwide. Varian Medical Systems Inc has a market cap of $6.76 billion and is part of the health services industry. The company has a P/E ratio of 16.4, below the average health services industry P/E ratio of 17.2 and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are down 18.4% year to date as of the close of trading on Wednesday.

TheStreet Ratings rates Varian Medical Systems as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, notable return on equity, growth in earnings per share and expanding profit margins. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income.

• You can view the full Varian Medical Systems Ratings Report.

On the negative front, BG Medicine Inc (BGMD), down 13.3%, Tibet Pharmaceuticals Inc (TBET), down 11.5%, Spherix Inc (SPEXD), down 10.4%, and Spherix Inc (SPEX), down 10.4%, were all losers within the health care sector with Biogen Idec Inc (BIIB) being today's health care sector loser.

• Use our health care section to find sector-relevant news.
• Or find some new ideas from our top rated stocks lists.

For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the health care sector could consider Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) while those bearish on the health care sector could consider ProShares Ultra Short Health Care (RXD).

• Find other investment ideas from our top rated ETFs lists.

 

For more information on Varian Medical Systems Inc. click any of the following:

• Varian Medical Systems Inc. Stock Price

• Varian Medical Systems Inc. Analyst Ratings

• Varian Medical Systems Inc. Key Stats & Profile

• Varian Medical Systems Inc. Earnings

• Varian Medical Systems Inc. Ratio Comparison

• Varian Medical Systems Inc. Growth Rates

• Varian Medical Systems Inc. Balance Sheet

• Varian Medical Systems Inc. Cash Flow

• Varian Medical Systems Inc. Income Statement