The share prices of publicly traded imaging device firms gained an average of 33.5% in the first quarter (end-March 31), according to healthcare advisory and investment banking firm WDI Capital Markets. The performance marked a significant improvement over the fourth quarter of 1999, in which imaging device vendor share prices gained just 3.8%.
3-D software developer Vital Images, mammography firm Fischer Imaging, and monitor and x-ray firm AFP Imaging led the charge, up 97%, 100%, and 112% respectively. Digital x-ray manufacturer Swissray International was a notable laggard, dropping 53% in value during the quarter.
The imaging services industry failed to share in the market gains, however. Stocks in the imaging services sector declined an average of 5.4% in the first quarter, a slight improvement over the 10.9% loss seen in the fourth quarter of 1999.
Overall, stocks of publicly held healthcare industry firms gained an average of 19.5% in the period, compared with increases of 18.7% in the fourth quarter of 1999, according to the Hilton Head, SC-based firm.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writersJune 13, 2000
Copyright © 2000 AuntMinnie.com
