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Pfizer IncPFECOMMENTMay 21, 2015Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Jun 11, 2026. Market Open.
Pharma companies today are divided into the haves and have-nots. Eli Lilly and Vertex are in the 'haves' group. He owns Eli Lilly which could be the biggest of the Pharmas. Also Vertex looks good and has a new Cystic Fibrosis drug. Pfizer has little growth and the stock is under pressure. It pays a high dividend but offers no real dividend growth, He prefers lower paying dividend companies with significant dividend growth ahead rather than companies that pay high dividends now. With this theme in mind The ETF, RDVY, holds companies with the ability to grow dividends. His view is that it is a reflating world and that rates could go up more in the next cycle.
Bought it last year for the 5.9% yield, but with Covid over (and vaccine sales gone), they have nothing. Shares have fallen in the past year. There was disappointment last year, but their obesity pill trial disappointed. Shares are washed out here. There are no expectations, though their drug pipeline is okay.
Down 43% in 2023 and one of the S&P's dogs, falling sharply after Covid. Pfizer keeps facing patent cliffs for its drugs and hitting profit shortfalls. A comeback is possible, but election years made drugmakers targets. Pays a 5.6% dividend and their Seagen deal which could add an excellent cancer franchise.
A contrarian call. They failed to get into the weight-loss drag boom, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Them buying Seagen will diversify their business by getting the more into oncology which offers strong growth, more sustainable than weight-loss drugs. Offers good long-term growth for 3-5 years.
(Analysts’ price target is $39.58)
There is a pending acquisition for Hospira (HSP-N), a generic drug maker. Some think they have overpaid for this acquisition, which might have held back shares. Feels they had to do it because their long-term growth rate is looking a little weak. The other speculation is that by acquiring this, there is a potential for a spinoff, which will enhance shareholder value. Announced an $11 billion share buyback program in October. Trading at 17X forward price earnings, with a pretty low long-term growth rate. Good dividend payer at 3.25%. He is looking at possibly shifting from this into some HMOs or some hospitals, etc.