St. Jude Medical (NYSE:STJ) Releasing 'Quadra CRT-D' Earlier than Thought

With the news St. Jude Medical (NYSE:STJ) will be launching their game-changing Quadra CRT-D earlier than originally anticipated, they could have about a two-year lead on their nearest competitor, depending on where it is released.

It could be released as early as May, with a full roll-out soon after.

Jefferies noted, "Boston (NYSE:BSX) is not expecting a quadripolar lead until mid-2013 in EU and likely 2014 in the U.S.; Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) appears to be slightly ahead and may have a European product in mid-late 2012 at the earliest."

Jefferies said they're raising their full year 2010 EPS estimates by $0.01 to $3.00 and their full year 2011 to $3.36 from $3.25 in response.

They are reiterating their "Buy" rating on St. Jude Medical (STJ), which closed Tuesday at $41.93, up $0.46, or 1.11 percent. Jefferies (NYSE:JEF) boosted their price target on St. Jude from $46 to $49.