Imaging stocks languish again in 1998

Imaging device stocks turned in another poor performance in 1998, according to the results of an industry survey by HealthCare Markets Group (formerly WDI HealthCare Markets Group) of Hilton Head, SC. Shares of companies in the firm's imaging devices segment fell 23% for the year, placing the segment at 34th out of 39 sectors. Overall, healthcare industry stocks climbed 1.9% for the year.

Imaging's performance last year follows a similarly bleak year in 1997 in the HealthCare Markets Group survey. The imaging devices segment fell 9% for the year, compared with an overall rise of 10% for healthcare stocks in general (SCAN 1/14/98). The imaging devices segment grew 4% in 1996.