LCA-Vision Inc. (LCAV) - Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers

LCA-Vision Inc. (LCAV) sure didn’t waste any time becoming a top performer. The operator of laser eye surgery centers made the Zacks #1 Rank List on Friday, and today it soared by nearly 31%; no other company even came close.

Furthermore, volume eclipsed 730,000 Monday, compared to the daily average of around 100,000.

LCAV announced some very impressive data last week. In the fourth quarter, procedures jumped by 30% year over year (14,205 vs. 10,891). Same-store procedures advanced by 33%.

The company is still expected to report losses for 2011 and 2012, but, since the above announcement, those losses have narrowed significantly. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for last year is currently a loss of 39 cents, but that has narrowed by 14 cents in just the past 7 days.

As for the current year, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for a 15-cent loss has narrowed by as much as 28 cents in the same timeframe.

It should be noted that there is currently only one analyst covering the company.

LCAV is scheduled to report its fourth-quarter results on Feb. 14. At the moment, the Zacks Consensus Estimate is at a loss of 15 cents per share. Much like the annual expectations, there has been a significant narrowing in the past week.

The company announced a loss of 20 cents per share in its third quarter, which matched the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Revenue improved by 7.5%.

LCAV continues to gain market share, and is also moving to diversify by expanding into cataract and premium intraocular lens (IOL) surgeries. The company said it is adding a co-management offering to provide a referral base for LASIK, cataract and premium IOL patients.