Cramer's 'Improving People' Picks (ALGN, SNCI)

On tonight’s MAD MONEY on CNBC, Jim Cramer reviewed a couple stocks on what is basically a "bionic you."  Obviously that’s a stretch but these are stocks that are medical or quasi medical products companies that he thinks benefit customers and can benefit investors. 

His first pick was Align Tech (NASDAQ:ALGN), which makes the Invisilign clear teeth straightening device.  This one he discussed with his dentist who noted how it was the best in class.  Shares closed up 1.45% at $27.16 in normal trading, and shares are up 4.9% at $28.50 in after hours trading.  Its 52-week trading range is $12.55 to $29.71 and its market cap is $1.85 Billion.

His second pick was Sonic innovations (NASDAQ:SNCI) thathas a mere $260 million market cap.  Shares closed down 2% at $10.50 in regular trading, but shares rose 7.5% to $10.50 after the Cramer feature.  Cramer likes the digital hearing aids that the company makes.  If these prices hold this will mark 52-week highs above the old $10.29 level.

Many investors clean up on these, but these stocks often trade on different metrics than beating earnings and even than on raised guidance.  Sometimes new competition you never even know about as a threat keeps pressure on these sort of stocks and sometimes far worse than that happens.  Speaking of the "bionic you" or "parts replacements" this sort of reminds me about a joke with a baby elephant and a dinner roll, although that’s a different story.

Jon C. Ogg
October 16, 2007