Today's Health Winners and Losers

Diagnostic Products soars after turning in better-than-anticipated first-quarter results.

Author:: Mark Martinez
Publish date:: Apr 27, 2006 3:11 PM EDT

Shares of

Diagnostic Products

were among the best-performing health-related stocks Thursday, jumping 19% after the maker of diagnostic test kits turned in better-than-expected first-quarter results.

The company earned $18 million, or 60 cents a share, on revenue of $129.6 million. The results included $1.4 million in stock-based compensation costs. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call expected earnings, excluding stock-based compensation costs, of 59 cents a share on revenue of $121 million. During the year-earlier quarter, the company earned $16.1 million, or 54 cents a share, on revenue of $113.8 million. "We were very pleased with our revenue levels, as well as the number of instruments shipped," the company said. Shares were trading up $9.38 to $57.83.

Amylin Pharmaceuticals

(AMLN)

fell 1% after the company posted a first-quarter loss that was wider than expected. The company's loss totaled $67.9 million, or 61 cents a share, on revenue of $82.3 million. Excluding stock-based compensation costs, the company reported a loss of $57 million, or 51 cents a share. Analysts expected a loss of 49 cents a share on revenue of $81.4 million. A year earlier, the company recorded a loss of $43.6 million, or 43 cents a share, on revenue of $4.3 million. Shares were down 31 cents to $44.98.

Shares of

Celgene

(CELG) - Get Report

jumped 12% after the drugmaker posted better-than-expected first-quarter results. The company earned $16 million, or 4 cents a share, on revenue of $181.8 million. Excluding items, the company earned $33.7 million, or 9 cents a share. Analysts expected earnings of 7 cents a share on revenue of $163.2 million. During the year-earlier quarter, the company earned $48.2 million, or 13 cents a share, on revenue of $112.4 million. Excluding items, the company earned $19.2 million, or 5 cents a share, during the year-earlier quarter. Shares were trading up $4.53 to $42.23.

VCA Antech

(WOOF) - Get Report

shares soared 14% after the animal health care company posted first-quarter results that surpassed expectations. The company earned $29.7 million, or 35 cents a share, up from $17.2 million, or 21 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding a one-time gain, VCA earned $22.9 million, or 27 cents a share, 3 cents better than analysts' expectation. Revenue rose to $234.2 million from $186.9 million, surpassing Wall Street's target of $221.1 million. "We had an outstanding first quarter marked by continued growth in our core businesses," the company said. Shares were up $3.77 to $30.71.

Shares of

Palomar Medical Technologies

(PMTI)

jumped 12% after the developer of light-based systems for cosmetic treatments posted better-than-expected first-quarter results. The company earned $6.2 million, or 31 cents a share, on revenue of $22.5 million. Analysts expected earnings of 25 cents a share and revenue of $21.1 million. A year earlier, the company earned $3.5 million, or 19 cents a share, on revenue of $17 million. "Market acceptance of our new product offerings continues to grow," Palomar said. Shares were trading up $4.40 to $41.10.

Other health care volume movers included

Aetna

(AET)

, down $10.30 to $36.13;

UnitedHealth Group

(UNH) - Get Report

, down $1.50 to $47.47;

Pfizer

(PFE) - Get Report

, up 13 cents to $25.10;

Boston Scientific

(BSX) - Get Report