When it comes to ETF plays on the domestic pharma sector, investors have two options when it comes to playing the blue chip names in the space. The Pharmaceutical HOLDRs (AMEX: PPH) and the iShares Dow Jones US Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE: IHE) are the ETFs to consider.

On the surface, IHE and PPH look similar as both ETFs count many of the same names among their top holdings. Abbott Labs (NYSE: ABT), Merck (NYSE: MRK) and Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) are all among the top-10 holdings in both ETFs.

Yet over the last three months, IHE has outperformed PPH by about 10% even though PPH has a much higher average daily volume.

IHE is more diversified. It's biggest holding, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) accounts for about 8% of assets, where as the top four holdings in PPH, Abbott, JNJ, Merck and Pfizer account for 55% of that ETF's assets.

So the bottom line is, the ETF Profesor says lean toward IHE if you're considering purchasing a pharma ETF.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) closed yesterday at $54.41. So far the stock has hit a 52-week low of $41.27 and 52-week high of $57.39. Abbott Laboratories stock has been showing support around 53.89 and resistance in the 54.85 range. Technical indicators for the stock are Bullish and S&P gives ABT a positive 4 ...(Click the story link or go to http://www.marketintelligencecenter.com for the full story)

After an accelerated approval, the positive effects of a full approval are minimal.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) closed yesterday at $54.41. So far the stock has hit a 52-week low of $41.27 and 52-week high of $57.39. Abbott Laboratories stock has been showing support around 53.89 and resistance in the 54.85 range. Technical indicators for the stock are Bullish and S&P gives ABT a positive 4 ...(Click the story link or go to http://www.marketintelligencecenter.com for the full story)

Boston Scientific Corp. (BSX) recently received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CE Mark approval to market its WallFlex Fully Covered Esophageal Stent in the U.S. and Europe. The new product is used for the treatment of malignant esophageal strictures (obstructions) caused by tumors in patients with resectable or non-resectable [...]

(BSX) Boston Scientific Earns FDA Clearance

Editor Teal Linde won’t be celebrating Thanksgiving today. But maybe he should -- his Linde Equity Report is having a thanks-worthy year, writes Peter Brimelow.

Boston Scientific Corp. (BSX) recently received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CE Mark approval to market its WallFlex Fully Covered Esophageal Stent in the U.S. and Europe. The new product is used for the treatment of malignant esophageal strictures (obstructions) caused by tumors in patients with resectable or non-resectable esophageal cancer.
 
With the new approval, Boston’s complete portfolio of WallFlex Stent family of self-expanding metal stents is now available in the U.S. , Europe and other international markets. The company had earlier received approval for marketing the WallFlex Partially Covered Esophageal Stent in U.S. and Europe in 2008. 
 
The WallFlex Fully and Partially Covered Stents prevent tumor ingrowth by using a proprietary Permalume silicone covering. This also reduces the impaction of food. It is seen that patients suffering from esophageal cancer may have difficulties in swallowing, even while consuming liquids. The WallFlex Esophageal Stent prevents this by re-establishing patency (openness) of the esophagus. This in turn makes life easier for patients. 
 
We think that the unique features of the WallFlex Fully Covered Stents are likely to make them widely acceptable amongst surgeons. This will boost demand for these stents which will increase the company’s top-line.
 
Boston Scientific is a manufacturer of medical devices and products used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties. The company faces significant competition across its product portfolio. The primary competitors include Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Medtronic Inc. (MDT), Abbott Laboratories (ABT) and St. Jude Medical Inc. (STJ).
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Recently, Gen-Probe Inc. (GPRO) announced that it has received the green light from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market ProParaflu Plus assay. The assay, developed by Prodesse, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gen-Probe, is a molecular test for detecting and differentiating parainfluenza 1, 2, and 3 viruses that cause lower respiratory tract infections. The [...]

(GPRO) Gen-Probe Earns U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approval

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Recently, Gen-Probe Inc. (GPRO) announced that it has received the green light from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market ProParaflu Plus assay. The assay, developed by Prodesse, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gen-Probe, is a molecular test for detecting and differentiating parainfluenza 1, 2, and 3 viruses that cause lower respiratory tract infections.
 
The assay makes use of real-time polymerase chain reaction to identify parainfluenza 1, 2, and 3 viruses from nasal swabs. Since it utilizes the same internal control as Prodesse's other tests for respiratory infectious diseases, a single nucleic acid extract can be tested with any combination of its other products which have received FDA clearance - ProFlu Plus, Pro hMPV Plus and ProFlu-ST.
 
As a reminder, ProFlu Plus received FDA approval in 2008 for detecting and differentiating influenza A and B viruses and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Pro hMPV Plus got FDA clearance in the same year to detect human metapneumovirus. ProFlu-ST is available for use under an FDA emergency use authorization in CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Interstate Act) high complexity laboratories for the diagnosis of 2009 H1N1 influenza virus.
 
We believe that the addition of ProFlu Plus to Gen-Probe’s already established product portfolio of molecular tests for respiratory infectious diseases further enhances its reputation in the field of molecular diagnostics. It will aid doctors in the accurate identification of parainfluenza virus infections, particularly when the prevalence of other viruses is on the higher side. Management further stated that results from tests using the company’s assays can be obtained within three hours as against a week taken by culture-based methods to come out with a result.
 
Gen-Probe Inc., a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of rapid, accurate and cost-effective nucleic acid testing (NAT) products  that are used for the diagnosis of human diseases and for screening donated human blood. The utilization of the NAT technology has enabled the company to obtain FDA approvals for more than 40 products that detect a wide variety of infectious microorganisms such as strep throat, pneumonia and fungal infections. The company competes with players like Abbott Laboratories (ABT) and Roche (RHHBY).
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This bullish call comes from more than just one analyst.

Last week, all eyes were on Merck's cholesterol drugs. How did Zetia do in that much-anticipated study pitting it against Abbott Laboratories' Niaspan treatment? Well, the American Heart Association meeting has come and gone, and while the study favored Niaspan, the even-handed media coverage pointed out the trial's shortcomings as well...

A drug deal Jellyvision could be proud of.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) closed yesterday at $54.24. So far the stock has hit a 52-week low of $41.27 and 52-week high of $57.39. Abbott Laboratories stock has been showing support around 51.75 and resistance in the 55.73 range. Technical indicators for the stock are Bullish and S&P gives ABT a positive 4 ...(Click the story link or go to http://www.marketintelligencecenter.com for the full story)

Some solid businesses for your watch list.

CNBC's Fast Money Tim Seymour thinks that investors should take profits in Ford (NYSE: F) because it typically fails at $9. Ford (F) gained 0.92% today and closed at $8.81.

Guy Adami recommends buying Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT), and Karen Finerman suggests buying Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX) on the heels of good Medtronic (NYSE: MED) earnings. Abbott Laboratories gained 2.09% today, while Boston Scientific (BSX) added 4.90%.

Pete Najarian wants to buy Brocade Communications Systems (NASDAQ: BRCD) after a big pullback today. Brocade (BRCD) dropped 8.95% today and closed at $7.10.

Even with its recent leap, this stock may belong in your portfolio.

Excerpt from Raymond James strategist Jeffrey Saut's latest essay:

Excerpt from Raymond James strategist Jeffrey Saut's latest essay (published Monday November 23rd):

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Abbott Labs (ABT) recently signed a definitive agreement with PanGenetics BV for a pain candidate, PG110. Under the terms of the agreement, Abbott will acquire global rights to PG110 which is a novel biologic that targets Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) for the treatment of chronic pain. PanGenetics will receive an upfront payment of $170 million and [...]

(ABT) Abbott Labs Deals for Drug Candidate