For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – August 15, 2013 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include Orion Marine Group, Inc. (ORN-Free Report), MasTec, Inc. (MTZ-Free Report), Primoris Services (PRIM-Free Report), BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (BDSI-Free Report) and Endo Health Solutions Inc. (ENDP-Free Report).
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:
Orion Marine Group, Inc. (ORN-Free Report), a leading heavy civil marine contractor serving the infrastructure sector, recently won a $15 million contract. The deal requires Orion to partially dismantle and reconstruct a wharf.
Additionally, according to the agreement, Orion will be responsible for installing new crane rails for the Port of Tacoma in Tacoma, Wash. Orion expects to begin the onsite construction during third-quarter 2013 and complete the project in approximately 13 months.
The contract is the second of its kind procured by Orion in the last two months. Recently, the company had received a contract award of $20 million in the Gulf Coast region. The scope of the contract primarily involved constructing and dredging a new ship dock for a private client in the region.
Orion is believed to have one of the strongest dredging equipments in the industry. Some of the company’s main customers include the U.S. Marine Transportation System and the cruise industry. The company is one of the leading providers of a broad range of marine construction and contracting services.
However, of late, Orion’s share prices witnessed a downturn after it missed its second-quarter earnings estimates. Shares of Orion were down about 5.4% after the quarterly results and closed at $10.42 on Aug 13, after touching a low of $9.90 on Aug 7. The second-quarter results were posted on Aug 1. Earnings per share came in at a penny, which was below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 3 cents. However, it improved from a loss of 20 cents in the same quarter last year.
Post the earnings miss, analysts have revised their estimates downwards for both 2013 and 2014. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2013 is now 11cents, down from 14 cents before the second-quarter earnings release. The 2014 consensus is currently pegged at 29 cents, down from the previous estimate of 36 cents over the last 30-day period.
With falling estimates, investors should remain cautious about this stock which currently has a Zacks Rank #5 (Sell). Better-placed stocks within the industry that are worth a look include MasTec, Inc. (MTZ-Free Report) and Primoris Services (PRIM-Free Report), which both carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (BDSI-Free Report) reported second-quarter 2013 loss of 35 cents per share wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 34 cents. The company reported earnings of 12 cents per share in the year-ago period.
Quarter in Details
Quarterly revenues decreased sharply by 83% to $2.7 million. However, revenues were marginally higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2 million. Revenues were lower mainly because of contract revenues which stood at $1.9 million in the reported quarter, down 88%. The year-ago quarter included a $15 million milestone payment from Endo associated with the granting of a patent.
Research and development (R&D) expenses increased 91% to $12.8 million. Two pivotal pain studies and an ongoing phase III safety study under BioDelivery Sciences’ collaboration agreement with Endo Health Solutions Inc. (ENDP-Free Report), led to the increase. The two pivotal chronic pain studies for BEMA buprenorphine are slated to finish later this year or early 2014.
The increase was also due to the NDA submission of its candidate, Bunavail in Jul 2013. The company is looking to get Bunavail approved for the maintenance treatment of opioid dependence.
Meanwhile, BioDelivery Sciences is looking to move clonidine topical gel, the third product in its pain franchise, into a phase IIb study later this year for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy.
General and Administrative (G&A) expenses increased 41% to $3.1 million, mainly due to increased stock based compensation expense.
BioDelivery Sciences presently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
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