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Alexion (ALXN) Tops Q1 Earnings, Sales; Shares Up

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Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. focuses on the development and commercialization of life-transforming drugs for treating patients suffering from ultra-rare disorders. Soliris approved for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome is the key product of this New Haven, CT-based company. In this scenario, investors focus should remain on Soliris performance.

Under its metabolic franchise, the company markets Strensiq for the treatment of patients with pediatric-onset hypophosphatasia (HPP) and Kanuma for the treatment of patients with lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D).

The company’s track record has been mixed. Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten estimates on two occasions. Overall, Alexion has posted an average positive earnings surprise of 2.82% for the four trailing quarters.

Currently, Alexion has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), but that could definitely change following the company’s earnings report which was just released. We have highlighted some of the key stats from this just-revealed announcement below:

Earnings: Alexion surpassed earnings expectations in the first quarter of 2017. Our consensus called for EPS of $1.05, and the company reported EPS of $1.20 (these figures include after-tax impact of stock-based compensation expense).

Revenue: Revenues also exceeded expectations. Alexion posted revenues of $870 million, compared to our consensus estimate of $821 million.
Key Stats: Solirus sales increased 17.7% in the quarter to $783 million.

2017 Guidance: The company maintains its revenue guidance and raised its earnings guidance for 2017. The company expects adjusted earnings per share to be in the range of $5.10 to $5.30 up from its previous guidance range of $5.00 to $5.25. It projects revenues to be in the range of $3.4 to $3.5 billion same as the previous expectations. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings was $4.49 per share while for sales it was $3.47 billion.

Share Price Impact: Shares rose 3.5% in pre-market trading.

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