Time to load up on big Pharma?

Feb 19, 2008 2:07 am

P/E ratios on Pharma stocks are at historic lows. Long term winner or value trap?

Feb 19, 2008 8:04 pm
Ashland:

P/E ratios on Pharma stocks are at historic lows. Long term winner or value trap?

  I still like PFE at a 5.5% yield.  You just have to believe.  Might take some time, but the "bargain" price might be gone before you know it.
Feb 19, 2008 11:33 pm

They have been a bargain for years but I am hearing a few smart people looking at them. The yield is 50% higher than a cd or money market, as are most bank stock yields.

May 5, 2008 6:30 am

Any new thoughts of PFE?  yields are still good but their pipeline out look doesn’t seem too good.

May 5, 2008 1:10 pm

May 5, 2008 1:33 pm

6.2% yield as of today.  Unless they absolutely stink going forward, you are at least going to get that coupon.  And they’ve been raising the dividend for years.  They are cutting costs like crazy, outsourcing everything they can, and all of their separation costs (severance, etc.) will be behind them prior to ex-Lipitor date.

  They have more compounds in Discovery right now than in any time in history.  I am guessing they will come out with a lot of new drugs over the next few years.  AND, I would wager that they buy someone (with a valuable compound).  Durg companies (especially PFE) are learning from the "blockbuster" drug hangover, that it makes more sense to go after volume rather than a few blockbuster drugs.  They ramped up the entire company for one drug, and now they are paying the consequences.   As far as people selling into the weakness, much of it is sotckholders tired of the stock price drifting lower and lower over time.  They aren't necessarily looking at the big picture.  They are looking at their own brokerage statement.  Also lot of employees selling.  Just wait until the stock gets into the 30's.  You will see some UNBELIEVABLE activity in this stock (since most stock options granted in the last 10 years are currently worthless right now).
May 5, 2008 2:09 pm

May 5, 2008 9:09 pm

[quote=joedabrkr] [quote=Broker24]6.2% yield as of today.  Unless they absolutely stink going forward, you are at least going to get that coupon.  And they’ve been raising the dividend for years.  They are cutting costs like crazy, outsourcing everything they can, and all of their separation costs (severance, etc.) will be behind them prior to ex-Lipitor date.

  They have more compounds in Discovery right now than in any time in history.  I am guessing they will come out with a lot of new drugs over the next few years.  AND, I would wager that they buy someone (with a valuable compound).  Durg companies (especially PFE) are learning from the "blockbuster" drug hangover, that it makes more sense to go after volume rather than a few blockbuster drugs.  They ramped up the entire company for one drug, and now they are paying the consequences.   As far as people selling into the weakness, much of it is sotckholders tired of the stock price drifting lower and lower over time.  They aren't necessarily looking at the big picture.  They are looking at their own brokerage statement.  Also lot of employees selling.  Just wait until the stock gets into the 30's.  You will see some UNBELIEVABLE activity in this stock (since most stock options granted in the last 10 years are currently worthless right now).[/quote]

I agree with much of what you're saying.  Just the same, if the stock drops another $1.25, you've lost a year's dividend.  Are you absolutely certain that it will not drop by another point or so?

The divided, of course, is not guaranteed, either.  What do you think the stock would do if they cut the dividend in half to conserve capital?
[/quote]   You ain't kidding.  I can't guarantee anything.  If they cut the dividend, all bets are off.  That would be ominous sign #1.   However, if the stock drops another 1.25, and they maintain the dividend, and you don't sell, you really haven't "lost" anything.  I work for Jones - remember, buy and hold??  Joking aside, a bet on them maintaining a dividend is pretty strong.  They would be a great prospect for a 5 year investment window (or longer).  I wouldn't count on making much with them in the next two or three years.
May 6, 2008 1:49 am

May 6, 2008 2:10 am
Symbol Description Optionable Recent
Price
Tech Attrib/
ETF Score
ALO Alpharma Inc. Yes 25.720 5 AUXL Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Yes 31.120 5 BNT Bentley Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Yes 15.450 5 DBR WisdomTree International HealthCare Sector Fund No 25.330 2.41 DRAX DRAXIS Health Inc. No 5.930 4 DRRX Durect Corporation Yes 4.590 4 ELN Elan Corporation, plc (Ireland) ADR Yes 27.090 5 EURX Eurand N.V. No 15.390 5 FBT First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index Fun Yes 23.600 3.09 HHP HealthShares Orthapedic Repair No 23.330 3.84 MATK Martek Biosciences Corp Yes 35.540 5 MBRK MiddleBrook Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Yes 3.650 3 PMC Pharmerica Corporation No 17.550 4 PRGO The Perrigo Company Yes 42.310 5 RDEA Ardea Biosciences, Inc. No 14.640 5 RIGL Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Yes 22.040 5 TEVA Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (Israel) AD Yes 47.320 5 WCRX Warner Chilcott Limited Yes 17.510 5

< =.print = value=Print>

Seems to me Pharma should still be avoided.  But I would consider these names before PFE
May 6, 2008 2:33 am

May 6, 2008 2:51 am

And only down 45% (n/inc divs) since it went to a RS sell!!  It’s on sale!!  RS doesn’t work though, it’s voodoo.

May 6, 2008 3:39 am

May 6, 2008 5:36 am

I guess Im going to be keeping an eye on this one…from what I hear everything in their pipeline (thats worth anything) is going to take another 5-10 years before it gets past the FDA.  

May 6, 2008 5:12 pm

[quote=joedabrkr] [quote=Broker24]

I wouldn't count on making much with them in the next two or three years.[/quote]

Then why not wait and buy them in 12 months?  Or wait for an even lower price?
[/quote]   Both are reasonable strategies.  But I am not sure how much lower PFE will go.  If I was going to buy, say 50K worth, I might DCA in over the next 6 months or so.  That at least gives you some protection and latitude.
May 7, 2008 8:30 pm

You know the dividend arguement is specious right?  Remember x-date?  If the stock stays flat or goes down what does the dividend actually gain you?  It is not a coupon, and therefore is not a direct bottom line gain.

May 21, 2008 10:47 pm

New 10 year low in after market trading on PFE today, if you liked it at $23 your gonna love it at $19.70

May 22, 2008 12:43 am

From some reading I’ve done, might make sense to look at BMY. Solid cashflow, near term catalysts in the pipeline, 5.62% yield and a chart that looks like it might be bottomed out.

May 22, 2008 1:09 am
pratoman:

From some reading I’ve done, might make sense to look at BMY. Solid cashflow, near term catalysts in the pipeline, 5.62% yield and a chart that looks like it might be bottomed out.

  IF the chart holds here, maybe.  Technically still a ways from buying.
May 22, 2008 4:06 am

So if it takes 5-10 years I take a 6% div (tax favored) that rises each year and then the stock goes up?  Sounds worth buying to me.

Jun 6, 2008 4:12 am

The dividend for PFE must be accruing interest, it just keeps growing and growing…

Jun 6, 2008 10:01 pm

PFE dividend now over 7%!!!!

Jun 7, 2008 2:02 am

Jun 7, 2008 2:03 am

I think the dividend is accruing interest or something.  That has to be it.