MedCath Corp (NASDAQ:MDTH) will unveil its latest earnings on Wednesday, December 14, 2011. MedCath is a healthcare provider and is focused primarily on providing high acuity services, including the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

MedCath Corp Earnings Preview Cheat Sheet

Wall St. Earnings Expectations: The average estimate of analysts is for profit of 6 cents per share, a threefold rise from the company’s actual earnings for the same quarter a year ago. The average estimate is the same as three months ago. Between one and three months ago, the average estimate was unchanged. It also has not changed during the last month. Analysts are projecting profit to rise by 125% versus last year to 18 cents.

Past Earnings Performance: For the past three quarters, the company’s quarterly results have come in below analyst’s expectations. Last quarter, the company reported a loss of 4 cents per share versus a mean estimate of net income of 9 cents per share.

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Wall St. Revenue Expectations: On average, analysts predict $81.3 million in revenue this quarter, a decline of 26.4% from the year ago quarter. Analysts are forecasting total revenue of $359 million for the year, a decline of 18.9% from last year’s revenue of $442.5 million.

A Look Back: In the third quarter, the company swung to a profit of $12.3 million (61 cents a share) from a loss of $12.8 million (64 cents) a year earlier, but missed analyst estimates.

Competitors to Watch: Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS), Community Health Systems (NYSE:CYH), Tenet Healthcare Corp. (NYSE:THC), Health Management Associates, Inc. (NYSE:HMA), SunLink Health Systems, Inc. (AMEX:SSY), LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. (NASDAQ:LPNT), Dynacq Healthcare, Inc. (NASDAQ:DYII), Select Medical Hldgs. Corp. (NYSE:SEM), HCA Holdings Inc (NYSE:HCA), and RehabCare Group, Inc. (NYSE:RHB).

Stock Price Performance: During October 12, 2011 to December 8, 2011, the stock price had fallen $6.80 (-48.8%) from $13.94 to $7.14. The stock price saw one of its best stretches over the last year between September 12, 2011 and September 15, 2011 when shares rose for four straight days, rising 3.5% (+46 cents) over that span. It saw one of its worst periods between August 11, 2011 and August 19, 2011 when shares fell for seven straight days, falling 3.4% (-45 cents) over that span. Shares are down $6.81 (-48.8%) year to date.

(Company fundamentals by Xignite Financials. Earnings estimates provided by Zacks)

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