the top 100 picks for 2014

RGS mentioned below....................


The top 100 picks for 2014
by: Tim Blue From: The Australian December 28, 2013 12:00AM


HEALTHCARE

56 CSL (CSL)

A STRONG product pipeline will continue to underpin its growth, particularly albumin sales in China and specialty products sales growth. Lincoln Indicators expects strong operational performance to continue with margin improvements likely in the future. Settlement of an anti-trust claim against it in the US and the announcement of an extension of a further $950m on-market buyback also support its positive outlook.

57 Fisher & Paykel Healthcare (FPH)

THE New Zealand company makes devices used in respiratory care, acute care and the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea. Sales are up nearly 70 per cent over the past year. Its genesis lies in an everyday household appliance - a pump used in a washing machine - that has been turned into a ventilator now used in hospitals around the world. On the downside, according to Morningstar, it needs a steady flow of willing buyers and it may need new products in future and diversified markets outside the US.

58 NIB Holdings (NHF)

OUR only listed health insurer, with a market share nudging 8 per cent, NIB is challenger to Medibank Private and Bupa with products such as its Whitecoat online service, which allows fee comparisons and reviews of physiotherapists, dentists and chiropractors. In the past year it acquired Tower Medical Insurance - New Zealand's second-largest health insurer - and continued to grow faster than the industry rate, which has pushed its share price to an all-time high of $2.60 in November. Macquarie Research rates NIB an outperform, citing core business growth and opportunities from new businesses.

59 Ramsay Health Care (RHC)

A HOSPITAL owner and operator, the fundamental drivers for RHC remain largely unchanged, among them an ageing population in Australia, Britain and France, and increasing demand for quality hospital care in Asia. Its Asian operations are a relatively minor part of RHC's overall earnings, but its joint venture with Sime Darby has substantial growth opportunities in the medium to long term, in the view of Lincoln Indicators. Its French subsidiary, Ramsay Sante, has acquired a psychiatric hospital group, Medipsy, making it now the third-largest hospital operator in France.

60 Sirtex Medical (SRX)

THIS developer of cancer treatments has a new one for liver cancer that employs an irradiated microscopic bead inserted into the patient via a catheter that directly targets the liver to deliver a high dose of radiation to the tumour. Its popularity is growing around the globe. Looking at commercial risks, a superior technology or treatment may come along in time, and with limited free float in the stock, liquidity is low. But Morningstar thinks the large upside potential of the stock compensates for these risks.

61 Regeneus (RGS)

A REGENERATIVE medicine company that is commercialising cell-based therapies for treating conditions such as arthritis in humans and animals. BBY suggests it is well placed to benefit from legislation passed by Japan's Upper House in early December that allows fast-track approval of stem cell therapies. The new legislation opens the way for RGS to launch an off-the-shelf human stem-cell therapy for osteoarthritis in Japan within three to four years, if it can demonstrate safety and efficacy in clinical trials. BBY has it as a spec buy with a target price of 76c a share.

62 Mayne Pharma (MYX)

HAS enjoyed a huge rebound since buying the US-based Metrics for $US120m, though it is still off its high of 77c in early 2011. Fund managers LHC Capital has been a big buyer and a backer of chief executive Scott Richards and Metrics, which is a manufacturer, developer and marketer of generic drugs in the US. It specialises in narcotics, or sedatives, which are heavily regulated and can only be produced domestically. It has other drugs in the approval pipeline with the US Food and Drug Administration.

63 Mesoblast (MSB)

A BIOTECH company that develops adult stem cell technologies for a range of diseases. The company has a focus on cardiovascular and spinal applications, but is also addressing diabetes, eye and neurological diseases and bone marrow transplants. BBY has a buy recommendation on it and a price target of $7.60.