We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Pfizer, Merck, Bristol-Myers and Glaxo
Read MoreHide Full Article
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – November 4, 2019 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Pfizer (PFE - Free Report) , Merck (MRK - Free Report) , Bristol-Myers (BMY - Free Report) and Glaxo (GSK - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:
Pharma Stock Roundup: MRK, PFE, GSK and More
Pfizer, Merck, Bristol-Myers, Glaxo and Bayer released their third-quarter results this week. In other important news, AstraZeneca’s (AZN) first-line lung cancer study on Imfinzi showed positive results.
Recap of the Week’s Most Important Stories:
Earnings Update: Pfizer, Merck, Bristol-Myers and Glaxo beat estimates for both earnings and sales. Higher sales of some of Pfizer’s key brands like Eliquis, Ibrance, Inlyta and Xeljanz were offset by lower sales of Lyrica due to loss of exclusivity in July 2019 in the United States. Merck’s blockbuster cancer drug, Keytruda continued its robust performance on strong demand. Both Merck & Pfizer raised their earnings guidance for 2019 while tightening the same for revenues. Strong performance of relatively newer vaccine and respiratory products boosted Glaxo’s sales. Glaxo raised its 2019 adjusted earnings growth expectations to around flat at CER from a decline of 3% to 5% expected previously.
Bristol Myers’ sales growth of 6% was led by robust sales of Eliquis and Sprycel while sales growth of its PD-1 inhibitor, Opdivo was weak. The company raised its guidance range for earnings.
Sanofi’s third-quarter 2019 results were mixed as it beat estimates for earnings but missed the same for sales. Double-digit growth in Sanofi’s Specialty Care unit was offset by a weak performance in the Consumer Healthcare and Vaccines units in the quarter.
Bayer’s sales increased 5.4% on an organic basis in the quarter. All the three segments, Crop Science, Pharmaceuticals and Consumer Health, witnessed higher sales.
AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi Combo Meets Goal in First-Line Lung Cancer Study: AstraZeneca’s phase III POSEIDON study evaluating Imfinzi plus platinum-based chemotherapy or the triple combination of Imfinzi plus tremelimumab and chemotherapy in first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) met the primary endpoint. Imfinzi plus multiple choices of chemotherapy regimens led to a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in the final progression-free survival (PFS) analysis in such patients versus chemotherapy alone, thereby meeting the study’s primary endpoint. The triple regimen of Imfinzi plus tremelimumab and chemotherapy also met the key secondary endpoint by demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful PFS improvement versus chemotherapy alone. The study continues to assess the co-primary endpoint of overall survival with data expected to be presented next year.
AstraZeneca also announced an agreement to sell rights to Seroquel and Seroquel XR, a treatment for schizophrenia and bipolar disease, in Europe and Russia to Cheplapharm Arzneimittel GmbH.
J&J Says Tests Find No Asbestos in Baby Powder:J&J announced that 15 new tests conducted on the same bottle of Johnson’s Baby Powder that was previously tested by the FDA, found no asbestos, a known carcinogen. The product is the subject of numerous lawsuits, which claim that J&J’s talc-based products contain asbestos that causes cancer. Earlier this month, J&J announced a voluntary recall of one lot of its Johnson’s Baby Powder. The recall was initiated following a test done by the FDA, which revealed traces of asbestos in samples from one bottle purchased online. J&J also said that an additional 48 independent third-party lab tests of samples from the same lot that was recalled also confirm that the talc does not contain asbestos.
Pfizer Gets EU Nod for Bavencio+Inlyta Combo in Kidney Cancer: Pfizer and partner Merck KGaA gained approval from the European Commission for Bavencio (avelumab) in combination with Inlyta (axitinib) for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the most common form of kidney cancer. The combination of Bavencio and Inlyta received approval in the United States for a similar indication in May. In January, a similar application had been submitted in Japan.
Glaxo Begins Phase III Program on New Antibiotic: Glaxo announced initiation of patient dosing in a phase III program on its investigational oral antibiotic, gepotidacin, which Glaxo claims has mechanism of action distinct from any currently approved antibiotic. The program will comprise two studies with one evaluating the use of gepotidacin for uncomplicated urinary tract infection and the other for urogenital gonorrhea, a common sexually transmitted infection.
Meanwhile, the European Commission gave approval to the intravenous formulation of Benlysta for systemic lupus erythematosus in children aged five years and above. The intravenous formulation is already approved in EU as well as the United States for adults while it was approved in the United States for children in April.
The NYSE ARCA Pharmaceutical Index rose 3.3% in the last five trading sessions.
Here is how the seven major stocks performed in the last five trading sessions.
Last week, all the stocks were in the green supported by strong third-quarter results of most companies in the sector. Lilly was the biggest gainer (5.6%).
In the past six months, AstraZeneca has risen the most (30.3%) while J&J lost the most (6.5%) mainly due to its litigation issues.
Watch out for third-quarter results of Novo Nordisk and Allergan and regular pipeline and regulatory updates next week.
7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days
Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers “Most Likely for Early Price Pops.”
Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +24.5% per year. So be sure to give these hand-picked 7 your immediate attention.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Pfizer, Merck, Bristol-Myers and Glaxo
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – November 4, 2019 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Pfizer (PFE - Free Report) , Merck (MRK - Free Report) , Bristol-Myers (BMY - Free Report) and Glaxo (GSK - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:
Pharma Stock Roundup: MRK, PFE, GSK and More
Pfizer, Merck, Bristol-Myers, Glaxo and Bayer released their third-quarter results this week. In other important news, AstraZeneca’s (AZN) first-line lung cancer study on Imfinzi showed positive results.
Recap of the Week’s Most Important Stories:
Earnings Update: Pfizer, Merck, Bristol-Myers and Glaxo beat estimates for both earnings and sales. Higher sales of some of Pfizer’s key brands like Eliquis, Ibrance, Inlyta and Xeljanz were offset by lower sales of Lyrica due to loss of exclusivity in July 2019 in the United States. Merck’s blockbuster cancer drug, Keytruda continued its robust performance on strong demand. Both Merck & Pfizer raised their earnings guidance for 2019 while tightening the same for revenues. Strong performance of relatively newer vaccine and respiratory products boosted Glaxo’s sales. Glaxo raised its 2019 adjusted earnings growth expectations to around flat at CER from a decline of 3% to 5% expected previously.
Bristol Myers’ sales growth of 6% was led by robust sales of Eliquis and Sprycel while sales growth of its PD-1 inhibitor, Opdivo was weak. The company raised its guidance range for earnings.
Sanofi’s third-quarter 2019 results were mixed as it beat estimates for earnings but missed the same for sales. Double-digit growth in Sanofi’s Specialty Care unit was offset by a weak performance in the Consumer Healthcare and Vaccines units in the quarter.
Bayer’s sales increased 5.4% on an organic basis in the quarter. All the three segments, Crop Science, Pharmaceuticals and Consumer Health, witnessed higher sales.
AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi Combo Meets Goal in First-Line Lung Cancer Study: AstraZeneca’s phase III POSEIDON study evaluating Imfinzi plus platinum-based chemotherapy or the triple combination of Imfinzi plus tremelimumab and chemotherapy in first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) met the primary endpoint. Imfinzi plus multiple choices of chemotherapy regimens led to a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in the final progression-free survival (PFS) analysis in such patients versus chemotherapy alone, thereby meeting the study’s primary endpoint. The triple regimen of Imfinzi plus tremelimumab and chemotherapy also met the key secondary endpoint by demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful PFS improvement versus chemotherapy alone. The study continues to assess the co-primary endpoint of overall survival with data expected to be presented next year.
AstraZeneca also announced an agreement to sell rights to Seroquel and Seroquel XR, a treatment for schizophrenia and bipolar disease, in Europe and Russia to Cheplapharm Arzneimittel GmbH.
J&J Says Tests Find No Asbestos in Baby Powder:J&J announced that 15 new tests conducted on the same bottle of Johnson’s Baby Powder that was previously tested by the FDA, found no asbestos, a known carcinogen. The product is the subject of numerous lawsuits, which claim that J&J’s talc-based products contain asbestos that causes cancer. Earlier this month, J&J announced a voluntary recall of one lot of its Johnson’s Baby Powder. The recall was initiated following a test done by the FDA, which revealed traces of asbestos in samples from one bottle purchased online. J&J also said that an additional 48 independent third-party lab tests of samples from the same lot that was recalled also confirm that the talc does not contain asbestos.
Pfizer Gets EU Nod for Bavencio+Inlyta Combo in Kidney Cancer: Pfizer and partner Merck KGaA gained approval from the European Commission for Bavencio (avelumab) in combination with Inlyta (axitinib) for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the most common form of kidney cancer. The combination of Bavencio and Inlyta received approval in the United States for a similar indication in May. In January, a similar application had been submitted in Japan.
Glaxo Begins Phase III Program on New Antibiotic: Glaxo announced initiation of patient dosing in a phase III program on its investigational oral antibiotic, gepotidacin, which Glaxo claims has mechanism of action distinct from any currently approved antibiotic. The program will comprise two studies with one evaluating the use of gepotidacin for uncomplicated urinary tract infection and the other for urogenital gonorrhea, a common sexually transmitted infection.
Meanwhile, the European Commission gave approval to the intravenous formulation of Benlysta for systemic lupus erythematosus in children aged five years and above. The intravenous formulation is already approved in EU as well as the United States for adults while it was approved in the United States for children in April.
The NYSE ARCA Pharmaceutical Index rose 3.3% in the last five trading sessions.
Large Cap Pharmaceuticals Industry 5YR % Return
Here is how the seven major stocks performed in the last five trading sessions.
Last week, all the stocks were in the green supported by strong third-quarter results of most companies in the sector. Lilly was the biggest gainer (5.6%).
In the past six months, AstraZeneca has risen the most (30.3%) while J&J lost the most (6.5%) mainly due to its litigation issues.
(See the last pharma stock roundup here: LLY, NVS, AZN’s Q3 Earnings, Updates From FDA
What's Next in the Pharma World?
Watch out for third-quarter results of Novo Nordisk and Allergan and regular pipeline and regulatory updates next week.
7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days
Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers “Most Likely for Early Price Pops.”
Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +24.5% per year. So be sure to give these hand-picked 7 your immediate attention.
See them now >>
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
http://www.zacks.com
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.