2009-10-16 23:06:02 -

Zacks.com releases the latest Industry Outlook. Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses the Medical Devices Industry, including Allscripts-Misys Healthcare Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDRX : ), Omnicell Inc. (Nasdaq: OMCL : ) and Merge Healthcare Incorporated (Nasdaq: MRGE : ).

A synopsis of today’s Industry Outlook is presented below. The full article can be read at

at.zacks.com/?id=2678 : .

The global medical devices industry is fairly large and is valued at roughly $223 billion, with the U.S. accounting for approximately 41%.

The industry is divided into different categories such as Cardiology, Oncology, Neuro, Orthopedic, Aesthetic Devices and Healthcare IT.

In the medical devices space, we recommend that investors : focus on companies providing life-sustaining products. These companies provide a strong recurring stream of revenues as patients are unable to forego these products. Furthermore, investors should allocate funds to companies with high-earnings-quality profiles.

Large companies with a wide portfolio : of products are also better poised for good returns. These companies are capable of withstanding the current economic recession.

Another area which is interestingly poised for growth these days is Healthcare IT. The landscape has changed since the Obama Administration passed a health care stimulus package to encourage hospitals and physicians practices to modernize their health record keeping. Names in this area include Allscripts-Misys Healthcare Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq.
MDRX : ), Omnicell Inc. (Nasdaq: OMCL : ) and Merge Healthcare Incorporated (Nasdaq: MRGE : ).

However, none of these companies have the above-mentioned attributes that differentiate them from the others. As such, we have a Neutral rating on these stocks.

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Zacks.comMark Vickery312-265-9380Visit: www.zacks.com :