Pet DRx Speculative Buy Rating Maintained in Update Coverage by Dutton Associates
January 05 2009 - 12:29PM
Marketwired
Dutton Associates continues its coverage of Pet DRx (NASDAQ: VETS)
maintaining its Speculative Buy rating. The 13-page report by
Dutton senior analyst Sally H. Wallack, CFA is available at
www.jmdutton.com as well as from First Call, Bloomberg
Professional, Capital IQ, Fact Set and other leading financial
portals.
Pet DRx owns 24 veterinary hospitals in California. In 3Q Pet
DRx reported flat year-over-year revenue, a 2% decline in
same-store revenue, and a net loss of $3.2 million ($0.13 per
share) versus a $3.4 million loss ($0.80 per share) a year earlier.
Q3 operating results fell short of our estimates. In light of this
shortfall, as well as today's very challenging economic
environment, we increased our FY2008 loss per share estimate from
$(0.54) to $(0.60), while maintaining our 2009 estimate of a $0.15
per share loss. We believe a number of factors could contribute to
improved financial results in 2009. We remain optimistic about Pet
DRx's long-term growth prospects given its participation in the
growing veterinary industry, which appears to be an excellent
candidate for consolidation. The cornerstone of the Company's
business strategy is implementation of a highly productive "hub and
spoke" structure in select geographic markets in which the Company
is able to acquire enough veterinary hospitals to obtain a market
share leadership position. Since the end of the third quarter, Pet
DRx has made a number of important management changes. On October
1, the Company named Gene Burleson interim Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) effective immediately. Mr. Burleson has extensive experience
in building and operating healthcare companies, including serving
as Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO of GranCare and as
President, Chief Operating Officer, and a Director of American
Medical International, one of the nation's largest owners and
operators of acute care hospitals, from 1986 to 1989.
About PetDRx
Pet DRx Corporation provides veterinary primary care and
specialized services to companion animals through a network of
fully owned veterinary hospitals. The Company currently owns and
operates 23 leading veterinary hospitals in the state of
California, which it has organized into unique, regional
'hub-and-spoke' networks. Pet DRx provides a full range of general
medical treatments for companion animals, including (i) preventive
care, such as examinations, vaccinations, spaying/neutering and
dental care and (ii) a broad range of specialized diagnostic and
medical services, such as internal medicine, surgery, cardiology,
ophthalmology, dermatology, oncology, neurology, x-ray, ultrasound
and other services.
About Dutton Associates
Dutton Associates is one of the largest independent investment
research firms in the U.S. Its 20 senior analysts are primarily
CFAs, have expertise in many industries. Dutton Associates provides
continuing analyst coverage of over 110 enrolled companies, and its
research, estimates, and ratings are carried in all the major
databases serving institutions and online investors. The cost of
enrolment in our one-year continuing research program is US $35,000
prepaid for 4 Research Reports, typically published quarterly, and
requisite Research Notes. Dutton Associates received $45,000 from
the Company for 5 Research Reports with coverage commencing on
11/26/2007. We do not accept payment of our fees in company stock.
Our principals and analysts are prohibited from owning or trading
in securities of covered companies. The views expressed in this
research report accurately reflect the analyst's personal views
about the subject securities or issuer. Neither the analyst's
compensation nor the compensation received by us is in any way
related to the specific ratings or views contained in this research
report or note. Please read full disclosures and analyst background
at www.jmdutton.com before investing.
Contact: Dutton Associates John Dutton 916/960-0623 PetDRx Harry
L. Zimmerman 615/369-1914
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