The pharmaceutical industry has witnessed major changes in 2009. Performance has been affected by factors like sluggish prescription trends, intensifying generic competition and limited phase III catalysts. The next five years are expected to reflect a significant imbalance between new product introductions and patent losses.[More...]

The BioMedReports.com FDA Calendar database includes over 400 entries of (1) pending new drug, biological agent, or medical device new product decisions at the FDA (e.g. NDA, BLA, 510k, PMA, sNDA, and sBLA filings); (2) pending new submissions to the FDA; (3) pending complete response letter (CRL) re-submissions to the FDA; and (4) pending clinical trial results.[More...]

In 1964, Donald and Mildred Othmer placed $25,000 in the hands of a young Columbia University MBA graduate. In 1974, the graduate returned to offer them the choice of having their money back, or buying shares in his new company.[More...]

The pharmaceutical industry is entering a period of substantial change in 2009. Most of the names in the industry are facing significant patent challenges in the years to come. U.S.-based firms are facing foreign exchange headwinds, as well. Revenue growth is non-existent, and earnings growth is being driven primarily by mergers, cost-cutting and share buybacks. Knowing that investors rarely pay-up for this type of manufactured earnings growth, we struggle to see a broad-based out-performance for the large-cap pharmaceutical sector in 2009. Valuations, however, are attractive, with several of the largest players trading at PEs below 10x, including: Pfizer (PFE, 7.5x), Eli Lilly (LLY,[More...]

As recently as February, General Electric Co. (GE) had hopes of maintaining its dividend payout. “We’ve got the cash flow to pay the dividend,” GE Chief Executive Officer Jeffery Immelt said in a Feb. 5 interview with The Wall Street Journal. But by the end of the month, Immelt’s resolve had collapsed under ...

By Martin Biancuzzo Contributing Writer Money Morning As recently as February, General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE) had hopes of maintaining its dividend payout.  "We’ve got... Money Morning is here to help investors profit handsomely on this seismic shift in the global economy. Money moves markets. But Money Morning lets you move first. <a[More...]

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"Long-time health-care investors can be forgiven their confusion; drug stocks are supposed to be defensive, but many of the largest drugmakers have been pounded," observes Richard Moroney. Nevertheless, in the blue chip Dow Theory Forecasts, the advisor sees two favorite health care issues as long-term opportunities: AstraZeneca (NYSE: <a[More...]

You are probably familiar with my colleague, Dr. Russell McDougal. He has been writing for Investor’s Daily Edge for more than two years, helping to alert our readers to the ongoing criminal activity of the “Axis of Weasels” in Washington. He has been sounding the alarm for years about the financial and monetary crisis that is now upon us. And for even longer, he has shouted from the rooftops about the ability of gold and silver to provide protection and profits in times like these. But you might not know how he came to be involved with Investor’s Daily Edge and what his background and experience are. I want to share that with you today. And there is a very good reason why you should listen. I firmly believe he can lead you to 200% to 300% gains this year… and thousands of percent upside in the years ahead. That’s a big promise in a very[More...]

Large pharmaceutical companies all seem to be in a similar boat heading into 2009. Most of the names in the industry are facing significant patent challenges in the years to come. U.S.-based firms are facing foreign exchange headwinds as well. Revenue growth is non-existent, and earnings growth is being driven primarily by cost-cutting and share buybacks. Knowing that investors rarely pay-up for this type of manufactured earnings growth, we struggle to see a broad-based out-performance for the large-cap pharmaceutical sector in 2009. Valuations, however, are attractive, with several of the largest players trading at PEs below 10x, including Pfizer (PFE, 7x), Eli Lilly (LLY, 9x), Merck (<a[More...]

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Johnson & Johnson Completes Mentor Tender With 94% Of Shares

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Johnson & Johnson reported fourth quarter earnings on Tuesday beating estimates and making many analysts who were once quite skeptical somewhat excited. However, shortly after the net income and EPS numbers came out, (JNJ: 56.75, 0.00 (0.00%)) lowered guidance.  This understandably came during tough economic conditions (yes, even for a Healthcare giant like JNJ). Johnson & Johnson did have quite an exciting year, especially in the fourth quarter as they[More...]

The health-care giant reports increasing earnings, despite falling revenue.

Wall Street looks to face early market declines upon return from Monday's holiday. European banking stock weakness spread to U.S. financial shares, while State Street (STT) plunged after its results. This latest reminder of a stubborn global recession and lingering problems for the banking sector is so far clouding inauguration day for investors. Weak overnight trade in Europe's banking sector has spread to U.S. financial share trade. The sector potentially faces the prospect of additional write-downs and worries that some banks, specifically in the UK, are edging closer to nationalization. Among the morning's active movers: BAC, -10.5%; C, -4.6%; STT, -36%; BCS, -43%, WFC, -10. Analyst ratings changes are behind active pre-market trade for handheld device-makers. Palm (PALM) is down 3% on mixed ratings changes this morning, and Research in Motion (RIMM) gained initially but has since turned down about 1%.[More...]