Biopharma companies are poised to benefit from
U.S. tax reform related to repatriation of OUS (Outside the United States) cash or a rate change, as well as a lower priority being
given to drug pricing reform, Barclays’ Geoff Meacham said in a report. He added, however, that biopharma stocks had rallied
following the U.S. presidential elections.
The NASDAQ Biotechnology (NASDAQ: NBI)
index
had gained 9 percent post-elections, versus a 3 percent gain in the S&P. With the re-rating across biopharma, the stocks
already reflect the positive catalysts, Meacham commented. He downgraded the rating on five stocks, while upgrading two.
5 Downgrades
-
BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ: BMRN): Downgraded from Overweight to Equal Weight, with price target reduced
from $125 to $105. Meacham expects BioMarin’s shares to come under pressure due to the company’s moderating growth and “an
overall lack of catalysts” in 2017. He added that the hemophilia program may provide upside in the long term.
-
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ): Downgraded
from Overweight to Equal Weight, with price target reduced from $130 to $125. While there is no change as such to the
fundamental outlook, the risk/reward profile appears “less compelling,” Meacham said, citing the “Remicade biosimilar risk,
lower pipeline impact, slowing med tech utilization, and a move away from defensives.”
-
Seattle Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: SGEN):
Downgraded from Overweight to Equal Weight, with price target reduced from $53 to $70. While Adcetris trends were tracking in
line with expectations and pipeline visibility was improving, the company’s shares already reflect benefits from ALCANZA,
ECHELON-1 and CD33A.
-
United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ: UTHR): Downgraded from Equal Weight to Underweight, with price target reduced
from $115 to $100. Orenitram uptake will likely be impacted by Uptravi, exerting pressure on the company’s broader outlook in
PAH (Pulmonary Hypertension), the analyst stated.
-
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ: VRTX): Downgraded from Overweight to Equal Weight, with price target reduced
from $100 to $90. “Fundamentally, we don’t see much opportunity for Kalydeco/Orkambi/EPS upside in 2017. While VX-661 data in
CF (1H17) isn’t a game-changer, the triple combo could be (POC data in 2H17) but the uncertain clinical profile sets up an
unfavorable risk/reward, in our view,” the analyst wrote.
2 Upgrades
-
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN): Upgraded from Equal Weight to Overweight, with price target raised from
$150 to $155. Meacham believes there are a number of positives for the company in 2017, including fewer macroeconomic
headwinds, restoration of Soliris growth with gMG expansion, pipeline maturation with Soliris in NMO (Neuromyelitis Optica) and
DGF (Delayed Graft Function), as well as progress with 1210. “We don’t view the 10-Q delay and whistleblower investigation as
carrying risk of substantial Soliris sales restatement,” the analyst wrote.
-
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE): Upgraded from
Equal Weight to Overweight, with price target raised from $37 to $38. “There is a higher likelihood that trapped OUS cash can
be better utilized for productive M&A and return of capital to shareholders. Execution within the Innovative segment still
matters; we see Ibrance as well as Xtandi (and talazoparib) as driving durable growth in oncology. We’d rather see more deals
in Innovative rather than a generics deal to prop up Essential Health,” the Barclays report said.
At Last Check
- Alxion was up 0.96 percent at $120.53.
- BioMarin was down 2.55 percent at $86.11.
- Johnson & Johnson was down 0.57 percent at $112.48.
- Pfizer was up 0.7 percent at $31.77.
- Seattle Genetics was down 1.39 percent at $66.06.
- United Therapeutics was down 4.04 percent at $127.38.
- Vertex was down 1.14 percent at $85.91.
Latest Ratings for ALXN
Date |
Firm |
Action |
From |
To |
Nov 2016 |
Barclays |
Upgrades |
Equal-Weight |
Overweight |
Nov 2016 |
Deutsche Bank |
Initiates Coverage On |
|
Buy |
Oct 2016 |
FBR Capital |
Upgrades |
Underperform |
Market Perform |
View More Analyst Ratings for
ALXN
View the Latest Analyst Ratings
© 2016 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.