Biolase offers explanation for ‘weak’ stock price

27 Jun 2012

“Only reason for recent weakness in stock price is the re-balancing of the Russell 3000 Index.”

Dental laser manufacturer and distributor Biolase has this week announced that there is “no fundamental reason” for the recent decline in its stock price on the Nasdaq exchange.

Federico Pignatelli, Chairman and CEO, stated, "Biolase has recently experienced what we believe to be an unwarranted weakness in the price of our securities.

Other than a technical re-balancing of the Russell 3000 Index, which will occur today (22 June 2012) after the close of the market, and is expected to exclude Biolase this year, we believe nothing fundamentally has changed as business is solidly on track for the short and long term.”

He added, “With important recent product introductions and a new line of credit giving us ample access to growth capital, we have never been more confident about the company's prospects."

The company also reiterated its guidance for unadjusted revenue for the second quarter of 2012 of approximately $13.0 million to $14.0 million, an increase of approximately $900,000 to $1.9 million, or 7 to 16 percent, compared to $12.1 million for the second quarter of 2011.

Waterlase impact

Last year's second quarter included a one time order of approximately $2 million delivered to Henry Schein, the company's former exclusive distributor, so the actual year-over-year comparisons will show greater non-GAAP growth rates considering this event, Biolase stated.

The company statement also cautioned, “Note, however, that the company's second quarter revenues may be impacted by accounting consequences related to [our] purchase of Schein's inventory of Waterlase MD Turbos, which was completed on April 12, 2012. [The Waterlase MD Turbo All-Tissue Laser is cleared for a full range of hard-tissue, soft-tissue, periodontal, endodontic, and surgical procedures].

Biolase’s full-year revenue guidance for 2012 remains $57 million to $60 million.

About Biolase

Biolase is a medical technology company that develops, manufactures and markets dental lasers and also distributes and markets dental imaging equipment; products that are focused on technologies that advance the practice of dentistry and medicine. The company's laser products incorporate approximately 285 patented and patent pending technologies designed to provide clinically superior performance with less pain and faster recovery times.

About the Author

Matthew Peach is a contributing editor to optics.org