A lot of investors like the low-priced, small-cap stocks. Seems they like to own MORE shares with less money...kind of 'more bang for the buck' I guess. Anyhow, this one may be an issue for you!
Bio-Reference Laboratories (BRLI) is having a great day today trading at $11.63 as I write, up $.63 or 5.73% on the day. According to money.cnn.com, BRLI "...operates a clinical lab that offers chemical diagnostic tests such as blood and urine analysis, blood chemistry, hematology services, serology and other tissue analysis."
Per BUSINESS WIRE, as reported on NYTimes on the Web, BRLI reported their third quarter results for the period ending July 31, 2003. Third quarter revenues were $28,919,575 for the quarter compared to $24,893,138 in 2002. Pre-tax net income was $3.0 million compared to $1.5 million last year. After taxes earnings and earnings per share increased 53% and 50% respectively to $2.3 million or $.18/share compared to $1.5 million or $.12/share in 2002. Are you confused yet? Anyhow, the last quarter results were good...and that is what I am checking for in this space.
Morningstar.com shows a beautiful revenue growth picture from $47 million in 1998, $54 million in 1999, $66 million in 2000, $81 million in 2001, $97 million in 2002 and if we extrapolate the current quarter we would have about $110 million for 2003.
Free cash flow, while small has been positive and improving: ($3) million in 2000, $1 million in 2001, $4 million in 2002, and $3 million in the trailing twelve months.
Looking at the balance sheet, we find $3.7 million in cash with $32.6 million in other current assets, this balances well against the $22.6 million in current liabilities and only $1.6 million in long-term liabilities.
This is a small capitalization company with a market cap, per Yahoo, of $136.93 million, the trailing p/e is 23.91, the price/sales ratio is reasonable at 1.20. There are 11.41 million shares outstanding with only 7.90 million of them that float. As of 8/8/03, there were only 148,000 shares out short.
I do not own any shares of this company and as I have whined about earlier, my margin level is far too high to be buying any right now. However, again, this is a company that looks good and if you like the small cap nature and low price, might be the one for you! Thanks for stopping by!
Bob