As a BSX holder for four years this stock has been a constant source of frustration. Things within control of mgt. and things outside the company's control have brought it down. Despite its enormous price, the GDT purchase may have worked well had revenue targets been met. Some of us will remember that $10 billion in annual revenue was the initial goal after the first couple of years post-aquisition. And cash flow could have paid down the debt even more. But quarter after quarter we see around $2 billion in sales. It just doesn't seem to change much. The debt will continue to be paid down (kudos to Sam Leno) and as they said in the latest cc the debt will be refinanced next year. With $1 billion in cash, over $1 billion in annual cash flow, and another $1.3b credit line, debt is not the issue. Its revenue growth.

About a year ago I started selling covered calls again except this time they were in the money calls. And I waited for the stock to be called away. But the stock market swooned. I kept doing this but each time BSX would fall below the strike. On ocassion it could have been called away but I would buy back the option at a small premium and do the same thing again. Then the stock started to recover about the same time I started to sell out of the money calls. When it was above $11 recently, I sold more calls, only to see it plummet again. Now I just want out at $9. I bought this stock for $25 four years ago and perhaps made $6-7 in option premiums over that time. So I will still take a hit. BSX seems undervalued hovering near $8 but I don't see much revenue growth. Its deflating to see the stock gain only a few pennies yesterday with the announcement of European approval of their new stent. Several years ago that would have been worth a pop of a couple of bucks. Anyway, unless the company is bought out, BSX will probably remain a slow growth dog, albeit without the fleas. Sigh.