'admin' pid='34618' dateline='<a href="tel:1387337 Wrote:Congratulations! I have to say that I haven't followed the story in great detail, but would a buy-out not include any expected FDA approval, or is this the medical industry's equivalent of the oil&gas convention not to pay for undiscovered resources?

ive seen two approvals so far.  One in Japan and one here in usa.  Both were expected with high certainty and both gave the stock a nice bump when finally announced.   So to answer your question - Yes.

'admin' pid='34666' datel Wrote:thanks, but my question referred to this: ["an agreement to buy Given was accepted and signed. Since then several law firms are filing suit against the company and board for failure to execute their fiduciary responsibility of getting the best deal for shareholders. The deal price is $30/share. Given has been expecting FDA approval of their PillCam Colon product in the USA before year end. I was hoping that event would occur first before any buyout offer, as I was guessing such approval could boost the stock upwards of 20%."] You seem to complain here (and people even start lawsuits) that they should have waited for FDA approval before selling the company. My question was simply that a deal to buy the company, especially since approval was already given in other parts of the world (although how much that is as a guarantee that FDA would follow suit remains to be seen), how much value of FDA approval would be included in the take-over price? If it's low, they should perhaps have waited for the FDA, one could even entertain the thought that since they didn't wait, perhaps they were not so sure the FDA would approve? I might miss a lot here since I'm not familiar with the details of the story, but at least some shareholders seem upset enough to start lawsuits, apparently.

I can't give you a rigorous analysis because I havn't done detail DD.  I don't know the value.  It just seems low.   I just read a lot and make mental notes that this company is headed way up.  When you read that their product which is a substitute for a colonoscopy might have the potential millions of US customers who would consider this in lieu of the invasive scope, big $$ signs start to flash.

Here's an article in November of Japan's "reimbursement approval" of PillCam Colon which begins Jan 1, 2014.  So this is a new revenue stream which will start ramping up next year:  http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2013/11/11/588474/10057254/en/Photo-Release-Given-Imaging-Receives-Reimbursement-Approval-for-PillCam-COLON-R-in-Japan-Effective-January-1-2014.html

Also this year the FDA granted US approval of their PillCam SB3 product, which is an upgrade of an existing product. http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2013/08/13/566283/10044706/en/Given-Imaging-Receives-FDA-Clearance-for-Next-Generation-PillCam-R-SB-3.html

A May article by Bloomberg stated this before the above approvals occurred: "revenues for 2014 and 2014 are expected to increase by 13% and 25%, respectively."

Their revenues and net income have been on a steady rise for at least the last 5 years while shares outstanding have hardly budged.

Here's an SA article dated August 15 this year:

The PillCam Colon could change all of this, as it would provide another option for patients and doctors. There are an average of 10 million colonoscopies performed in the United States every year. This creates a huge market for Given Imaging. The colonoscopy is the most expensive screening test Americans routinely undergo. The industry racks up $10 billion in annual costs, thanks to higher costs and higher volume of patients undergoing the test. If Given can capture a fraction of the colonoscopy industry, it could equal its current annual revenue from the PillCam Colon alone.

So I see a company that is highly innovative, small and very successful about to introduce new or improved products into an expanding market.  I made a great profit this year, but I think this technology has much opportunity ahead of it.  Lower cost, less risk, better diagnostic data, more appeal to patients - you can't beat that.  I can't imagine why they would want to sell.  Something doesn't sound right.

I don't know how these legal actions work out.  I think there's at least 3 different law firms filing suit. If the suits fail, the the deal goes through at $30/share.  If they succeed, I have to think the outcomes could be that they get some money from the company where most will go to the lawyers OR maybe the deal will get cancelled. These things can drag on for a while while the price just sits there.   So right or wrong, I decided to secure my gain now and wait on the sideline.

'admin' pid='34801' dateline='<a href="tel:1387506 Wrote:For the sake of clarity, it wasn't at all meant as criticism at your expense, kaliboo. In fact, it's interesting that you brought this to our attention. When I have some time I'll look into it. I was just wondering why they would sell out just before an expected FDA decision.

I didn't take your response as criticism.  My lengthy response (I wirite a lot i n my job) was intended to give you a clearer picture of what I know/have seen of the company.

Yeah I'm wondering too.  Doesn't make sense.  I can see why they are being sued.  I don't need anymore stock drama.  I have enough with IOC.  So I decided to take my money out and then just watch it.