Martek Biosciences Corporation engages in the development and commercialization of novel products from microalgae, fungi, and other microbes primarily in the United States. The company offers life’sDHA, a vegetarian source of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA for use in infant formula, perinatal products, foods and beverages, and dietary supplements; and life’sARA, a vegetarian source of the omega-6 fatty acid ARA for use in infant formula. Its products include nutritional oils used in infant formula, nutritional supplements, and food and beverage fortification ingredients. The company’s nutritional oils consist of fatty acid components, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA). DHA and ARA enhance mental and visual development in infants, as well as enable proper functioning of brain and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. It sells oils containing fatty acids under the names life’sDHA, DHASCO, Neuromins, ARASCO, and life’sARA. Martek Biosciences also offers contract manufacturing services for the production of enzymes, specialty chemicals, vitamins, and agricultural specialty products. It has a collaborative agreement with a Canadian biotechnology company to co-develop plant-based DHA products. The company was founded in 1985 and is based in Columbia, Maryland.
Analysts'
Recommendation: | Sell |
| 30 Days Ago: | Hold |
|
| Analysts' Target: | $40 |
| Analysts' Targets |
| Needham & Co. | $42 |
| Buy |
Thursday, June 05, 2008
|
| Broadpoint Capital | $43 |
| Buy |
Thursday, June 05, 2008
|
| Canaccord Adams | $34 |
| Hold |
Thursday, March 06, 2008
|
The chart of Martek is quite different from the previous two stocks. After trading in a downtrend for three years, the stock broke out in mid-2007 and has been moving higher ever since. What the company does also differentiates it from other biotech companies. It develops nutritional oils from microalgae and fungi that are then used in everything from vitamins to baby formula. In June, the company reported an 89% increase in second-quarter profit, but also warned the third quarter will see a slowdown. The key is to use the volatility and dips in this type of stock as buying opportunities. (To learn more, check out Understanding Volatility Measurements)
$36.02 (07/13/08)
