Animal Health International shares declines

A downtrend was identified for Animal Health International on January 22, 2010 at US$1.85, according to SmarTrend.

In approximately two months, Animal Health International has returned 4.9% as of the recent price of US$1.76.

Animal Health International is currently below its 50-day moving average of US$1.98 and below its 200-day moving average of US$2.00. Look for these moving averages to decline to confirm the company's downward momentum.

In February, the company posted net sales for the quarter at US$170.5 million, compared to US$184.5 million for the same period a year ago.  The decrease in net sales was primarily attributable to lower spending by production animal customers whose profits have been constrained by fluctuating commodity prices and the general economic slowdown.

Gross margins for the quarter declined US$2.9 million, with US$2.5 million due to lower sales volume. Margins in the second quarter were 17.3% of net sales, compared to 17.5% in the second quarter last year.