Under the Radar: Owens & Minor Expands

"Under-the-Radar Stocks" is a daily feature that uncovers little-known companies worthy of investors' consideration. Check in at 5 every morning to find out about stocks that tend to beat their bigger brethren.

As the rally fizzles, defensive stocks are returning to the spotlight, especially health care. Here's a small-cap medical supply distributor poised to gain.

Owens & Minor (OMI Quote) has carved a niche by distributing other companies' medical products, everything from scrubs to scalpels. The company serves major players like Cardinal Health(CAH Quote) and Covidien(COV Quote), and sells its own discount line of common medical products under the brand MediChoice. In August, the company acquired Burrows Co., a Chicago-based medical supplier, for $30.2 million to expand its reach. ...