VCA Antech (WOOF) Maintains A Buy Rating

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey has maintained its Buy rating for VCA Antech, Inc. (NASDAQ: WOOF) after the company reported a good fourth-quarter performance, which was driven by same-stores sales at animal hospitals, and internal growth at the lab.

Operating margins were slightly lower; however, they were offset by the higher revenues.

Management guidance for 2010 EPS ranges between $1.60, and $1.68, which is ahead of SunTrust’s, and consensus estimate of $1.37.

Unemployment and consumer confidence are the two most important macro metrics affecting VCA Antech’s business, according to SunTrust.