In this article, we discuss two stock picks are discussed for the 2008 – 2009 cold and flu season: MTXX and RAD.

Now, is the time to be looking at stocks again, particularly the cold and flu sector as the stock market begins to find a market bottom and investors research key, timely sectors.
MTXX is the developer and marketer of the Zicam cold and flu remedy brand with a distribution network that includes Wal-Mart, Walgreens, and CVS. A second cold and flu play, RAD (Rite Aid), a drugstore retail chain with prescription and over-the-counter medication for cold and flu and other ailments.

Stock Pick: Matrixx Initiatives, Inc. (MTXX)

Matrixx Initiatives, Inc. is engaged in the development and marketing of over-the-counter healthcare products that utilize the company’s drug delivery systems. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, Zicam, LLC, markets and sells Zicam® and Nasal Comfort(TM) products in the cough and cold category.

MTXX also offers Zicam Multi-Symptom Cold and Flu Relief products, which utilize a spoon dosing delivery to provide relief of cold and flu symptoms.

MTXX is a perennial cold and flu season stock play and well known for that fact. MTXX dropped the last four trading days creating a buying opportunity to play this year’s cold and flu season.

MTXX’s over-the-counter cold and flu products are sold at several large national retailers including Wal-Mart, Walgreens, and CVS. Zicam is one of the top three cough, cold and allergy growth brands and its multi-symptom cold and flu products account for 45% of the company’s retail sales growth.

MTXX has an attractive brand and sold distribution network in place. We believe MTXX will have another cold and flu season move.

Rite Aid Corporation (RAD)

Rite Aid Corporation is a drugstore chain with more than 4,900 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia. The company’s fiscal 2008 annual sales totaled more than $24.3 billion.

Rite Aid is a major brand that continues to expand. Patients fill their prescriptions at Rite Aid for various ailments and shop for over-the-counter medication for cold and flu and other illnesses.

RAD has been down significantly this year, but we see the potential for a major turn around in the future for RAD. Three independent proxy advisory firms have recommended RAD stockholders support RAD’s Board of Directors’ plan for a reverse split. The reverse stock split could be approved on December 2nd.

Reverse stock split is never a good phrase to investors, but in this case it looks like it must be done and we believe most of the negativity is already priced into RAD. After the reverse split, we expect investors to look at RAD in a new, refreshing light.
We believe RAD will receive major attention as a cold and flu season play over the next 1 – 2 months. Also, we expect RAD to begin its turn around.

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