NxStage Medical (NSDQ:NXTM) notched a new low watermark for the year, despite reporting a strong 2nd quarter with records sales.
NXTM shares briefly hit $13.20 today, the lowest they’ve been in the last 52 weeks. Shares regained few cents by the early afternoon to trade at $13.34, still down 16% on the day.
Shares dropped despite a record-breaking financial report, with revenues higher than the company’s ever scored for a single quarter.
The Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based hemodialysis devices maker reported $59 million in sales during the 3 months ended June 30, a 9.8% spike from the same period last year.
"Our results in the 2nd quarter reflect solid and consistent progress. We achieved record revenues, a 300 bps improvement in gross margin, and advanced our robust product pipeline," CEO Jeff Burbank said in prepared remarks. "In sum, our growth strategy remains on track and we remain confident in our outlook for 2012."
NxStage also narrowed its losses during the quarter, reporting a net loss of $5.1 million, or 9¢ per share. That’s 8.8% lower than the $5.6 million, or 10¢ per share, lost during the same period last year.
NxStage has taken a hit in the last month following a proposed rule by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid that failed to update reimbursement guidelines for home hemodialysis, dashing the company’s hopes of a more favorable physician payment environment – as well as some investors’ hopes of a near-term upside for NxStage Medical.
"Home and more frequent hemodialysis with the System One is great therapy that has been consistently reported to give patients access to a much richer and longer life. We continue to show that our therapy can benefit patients, providers and payors," Burbank said. "As a result, we continue to break down the barriers to adoption and deliver strong revenue growth consistent with our expectations."
NXTM shares have lost 27.5% since the proposal was published on July 3, when shares closed at $17.04.
NxStage North America president Joe Turk this week issued a public statement challenging CMS on its uninspiring policies for home hemodialysis. In a letter glibly titled “Really?”, Turk outlined his disappointment in the policy as proposed, offered a few quick fixes and urged stakeholders to submit suggestions on the rule during the open comment period – before the proposal becomes policy.
