Drug Makers Stocks Under Review — Pfizer, Merck, AbbVie, and Johnson & Johnson
The drug manufacturers space is engaged in the development, production, and marketing of medications. Its leading companies are based mainly in the United States and Europe. Today, Stock-Callers.com takes a look at the recent performances of four major stocks within this industry: Pfizer Inc., Merck & Co. Inc., AbbVie Inc., and Johnson & Johnson.
Pfizer
On Tuesday, shares in New York headquartered Pfizer Inc. recorded a trading volume of 14.11 million shares. The stock ended the day at $33.81, rising 0.48%. The company’s shares have gained 7.63% on an YTD basis. The stock is trading above its 200-day moving average by 4.01%. Furthermore, shares of Pfizer, which discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells healthcare products worldwide, have a Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 35.85.
On September 16th, 2016, Pfizer announced that the confirmatory study evaluating the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of PF-06438179 (infliximab-Pfizer) compared to Remicade® (infliximab) met its primary endpoint. The trial demonstrated equivalent efficacy of the proposed biosimilar PF-06438179 to the originator product as measured by the American College of Rheumatology 20 (ACR20) response at Week 14. PF-06438179 is being developed as a potential biosimilar to Remicade.
Merck
Kenilworth, New Jersey headquartered Merck & Co. Inc.’s stock finished yesterday’s session 0.99% higher at$61.94 and with a total trading volume of 9.20 million shares. The company’s shares have gained 10.92% over the previous three months and 20.13% on an YTD basis. The stock is trading above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages by 1.68% and 13.13%, respectively. Furthermore, shares of Merck & Co., which provides health care solutions worldwide, have an RSI of 51.14.
On September 9th, 2016, research firm Barclays reiterated its ‘Overweight’ rating on the company’s stock with an increase of the target price from $66 a share to $72 a share.
On September 12th, 2016, – Merck announced that BRENZYS™ (etanercept) received approval in Canada for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. BRENZYS™ is a biosimilar to the originator biologic Enbrel®* and the first subcutaneous anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) biosimilar medicine available in Canada.
AbbVie
At the closing bell on Tuesday, shares in North Chicago, Illinois-based AbbVie Inc. climbed 0.59%, ending the day at$63.28. The stock recorded a trading volume of 4.83 million shares. The company’s shares have advanced 6.43% in the previous three months and 9.94% since the start of this year. The stock is trading 6.64% above its 200-day moving average. Moreover, shares of AbbVie, which discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceutical products worldwide, have an RSI of 40.82.
On September 8th, 2016, research firm JP Morgan downgraded the company’s stock rating from ‘Overweight’ to ‘Neutral’.
On September 20th, 2016, Karolinska Development AB announced that its portfolio company BioArctic AB has entered into a strategically important collaboration with AbbVie, to develop and commercialize BioArctic’s portfolio of antibodies directed against alpha-synuclein for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and other potential indications.
Johnson & Johnson
New Brunswick, New Jersey-based Johnson & Johnson’s stock ended the day 0.25% higher at $117.95 and with a total trading volume of 5.18 million shares. The company’s shares have gained 2.20% over the previous three months and 17.26% on an YTD basis. The stock is trading 6.80% above its 200-day moving average. Additionally, shares of Johnson & Johnson, which together with its subsidiaries, researches and develops, manufactures, and sells various products in the health care field worldwide, have an RSI of 38.76.
On September 16th, 2016, Johnson & Johnson announced a definitive agreement to acquire Abbott Medical Optics (AMO), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abbott Laboratories, for $4.325 billion in cash. AMO reported sales of $1.1 billion for 2015. The acquisition will include ophthalmic products in three business segments: cataract surgery, laser refractive surgery and consumer eye health. The acquisition also includes AMO’s consumer eye health products – over-the-counter drops for dry eye, as well as multipurpose solutions and hydrogen peroxide cleaning systems for patients who wear contact lenses. The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2017 and is subject to antitrust clearance and other customary closing conditions.
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Filed Under: Drug Discovery
