Shortly after Donald Trump’s upset victory in the 2016 presidential election, a new investment strategy swept over Wall Street and helped send stocks higher. Dubbed the “Trump Trade” by many, investors pumped cash into the industries that stood to benefit from the new president’s campaign promises. But now, with a trade war between the U.S. and China looming, it is time for a new version of this strategy.
The original Trump Trade was rooted in a belief that the businessman turned reality TV star could continue his streak of deal making in his new political initiatives.
The strategy worked with a few basic assumptions: building a wall on the southern border and leveraging our import power to pay for it would probably hurt Mexican industry, rolling back environment regulations would make life for energy companies easier, and streamlining the approval process would benefit the biotech industry.
Overall, the stock market has responded well to the Trump presidency. Major indexes have soared, and although specific elements of the Trump Trade have had mixed results, a continued economic recovery—both domestically and abroad—has inspired strong confidence among investors.
Top 10 Biotech Stocks To Watch Right Now: Amgen Inc.(AMGN)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Ethan Ryder]
Wayne Hummer Investments L.L.C. trimmed its position in shares of Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) by 11.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,311 shares of the medical research company’s stock after selling 303 shares during the period. Wayne Hummer Investments L.L.C.’s holdings in Amgen were worth $394,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
- [By Chris Lange]
Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) saw its short interest fall to 9.62 million shares from the previous level of 9.79 million. Shares were last seen at $178.26, in a 52-week trading range of $153.56 to $201.23.
- [By Keith Speights]
Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) has been the hands-down winner over Celgene (NASDAQ:CELG) in terms of stock performance over the last year. It’s the same story for revenue generated. Celgene beat Amgen in earnings, but only because of a technicality: Amgen incurred a big one-time tax hit in 2017.
- [By Todd Campbell]
When a brand new class of cholesterol-lowering drugs called PCSK9 inhibitors won Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2015, it was heralded as the biggest advance in battling heart disease since the invention of statins. The launch of PCSK9 inhibitors was accompanied by billion-dollar-plus predictions for sales. However, revenue has fallen far shy of blockbuster status, leaving drugmakers Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN), Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:REGN), and Sanofi SA (NYSE:SNY) in the lurch.
- [By Chris Lange]
Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) saw its short interest rise to 10.72 million shares from the previous level of 9.62 million. Shares were last seen at $184.61 in a 52-week trading range of $161.13 to $201.23.
- [By Keith Speights]
The way to determine where a puck is going to be requires evaluating its direction and speed. I used a similar approach to identify five stocks with fast-growing dividends: Boeing (NYSE:BA), Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN), CVS Health (NYSE:CVS), Texas Instruments (NASDAQ:TXN), and AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV). Here’s why these stocks could be great picks for dividend-seeking investors.
Top 10 Biotech Stocks To Watch Right Now: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc.(ALNY)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Keith Speights]
It’s not exactly David vs. Goliath. However, Bellicum Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:BLCM) and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ALNY) are definitely in different leagues right now. Both are clinical-stage biotechs, but Bellicum’s market cap is less than $350 million while Alnylam’s market cap is close to $10 billion.
- [By Shane Hupp]
Get a free copy of the Zacks research report on Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY)
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- [By Brian Orelli]
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ALNY) released first-quarter results last week, but all eyes were looking forward as the company waits for a potential approval of its hereditary TTR amyloidosis (ATTR) drug, patisiran.
- [By Logan Wallace]
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ALNY) was downgraded by analysts at Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a sell rating. According to Zacks, “Although Alnylam has a broad and promising pipeline, we note that most candidates are in mid stages of development. These candidates still have a long way to go before hitting the market. The company relies highly on collaborators for funding. Any development/regulatory setback would be a negative for the company. However, Alnylam reported positive data from the ATLAS study in the first quarter which led to regulatory filings for its late-stage pipeline candidate patisiran and the FDA set an action date of Aug 11, 2018. The company along with its partners Sanofi and The Medicines Company, restarted fitusiran's ATLAS phase III study and advanced inclisiran in the ORION-9, -10, and -11 phase III studies, respectively, with results expected for both programs in 2019. Alnylam expects to achieve the profile of three marketed products by the end of 2020.”
- [By Sean Williams, Chuck Saletta, and Brian Feroldi]
So, which biotech stocks should you consider buying in June? That’s a question we posed to three of our healthcare-focused investors. Interestingly enough, mid-cap biotech stocks are the clear flavor of the month. If biotech is on your radar in June, our investors suggest you consider Ionis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:IONS), Spark Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ONCE), and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ALNY).
Top 10 Biotech Stocks To Watch Right Now: ArQule Inc.(ARQL)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Lisa Levin] Gainers
Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE: FL) rose 15.3 percent to $53.50 in pre-market trading after the company reported better-than-expected results for its first quarter.
Evofem Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: EVFM) rose 10.4 percent to $4.58 in pre-market trading. Evofem Biosciences reported closing of public offering of common stock and warrants.
Resonant Inc. (NASDAQ: RESN) rose 7.3 percent to $4.88 in pre-market trading after declining 1.94 percent on Thursday.
SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SEDG) shares rose 5.7 percent to $59.65 in pre-market trading after falling 8.43 percent on Thursday.
Yirendai Ltd. (NYSE: YRD) rose 5 percent to $30.00 in pre-market trading after reporting Q1 results.
Deckers Outdoor Corp (NYSE: DECK) rose 4.9 percent to $108.75 in pre-market trading after reporteingd better-than-expected results for its fiscal fourth quarter.
Blue Apron Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: APRN) rose 4.2 percent to $3.21 in pre-market trading after gaining 3.70 percent on Thursday.
Recro Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: REPH) rose 4 percent to $5.85 in pre-market trading after dropping 54.67 percent on Thursday.
ArQule, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARQL) rose 3.8 percent to $4.70 in pre-market trading after gaining 4.86 percent on Thursday.
Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: BW) shares rose 2.9 percent to $2.85 in pre-market trading after climbing 7.78 percent on Thursday.
Bilibili Inc. (NASDAQ: BILI) shares rose 2.5 percent to $14.20 in pre-market trading after surging 11.33 percent on Thursday.
Find out what's going on in today's market and bring any questions you have to Benzinga's PreMarket Prep.
- [By Cory Renauer]
What’s behind these dramatic gains? Read on to find out.
Company Gain in H1 2018 Market Cap
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARWR) 270% $1.19 billion
ArQule, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARQL) 235% $482 million
Endocyte, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECYT) 222% $959 million
Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(NASDAQ:MDGL) 205% $3.99 billionData source: YCharts.
- [By Joseph Griffin]
ValuEngine upgraded shares of ArQule (NASDAQ:ARQL) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report released on Tuesday.
Several other equities analysts have also issued reports on ARQL. Zacks Investment Research upgraded ArQule from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $2.50 price objective for the company in a research report on Tuesday, March 20th. BidaskClub upgraded ArQule from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Saturday, March 24th. B. Riley set a $4.00 price objective on ArQule and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, March 26th. Leerink Swann upgraded ArQule from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, April 5th. Finally, Roth Capital boosted their price objective on ArQule from $5.00 to $6.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. The company has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $5.35.
- [By Maxx Chatsko]
Shares of development-stage biopharma ArQule (NASDAQ:ARQL) rose nearly 17% today after the company announced two appointments to its management team in two newly created positions. Dr. Marc Schegerin will serve as senior vice president, corporate strategy, communication, and finance. Dr. Shirish Hirani will serve as senior vice president, program management and product planning.
- [By Lisa Levin] Gainers
Melinta Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MLNT) shares surged 20.6 percent to $6.39. WBB Securities upgraded Melinta Therapeutics from Hold to Speculative Buy.
Shoe Carnival, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCVL) shares climbed 17.2 percent to $30.87 after the company reported upbeat quarterly earnings.
Acorn International, Inc. (NYSE: ATV) shares rose 15.2 percent to $28.804 after the company declared a special one-time cash dividend of $14.97 per ADS.
Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE: FL) gained 15 percent to $53.35 after the company reported better-than-expected results for its first quarter.
Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ: SHOS) surged 14.2 percent to $2.625.
ArQule, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARQL) rose 13 percent to $5.12 after gaining 4.86 percent on Thursday.
Quality Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: QSII) gained 12.8 percent to $16.97 after the company posted better-than-expected FQ4 results.
Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anónima (NYSE: LOMA) shares rose 12 percent to $12.94.
ArQule, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARQL) shares rose 12 percent to $5.07.
Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRTX) climbed 11.4 percent to $43.50.
Zai Lab Limited (NASDAQ: ZLAB) gained 11.3 percent to $24.7000.
Zymeworks Inc. (NASDAQ: ZYME) rose 9.7 percent to $19.64.
Park City Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: PCYG) climbed 9 percent to $7.90.
Roku, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROKU) gained 7.9 percent to $38.82 after Citron reversed previously bearish position on the stock.
Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD) shares jumped 7.3 percent to $3.55.
Deckers Outdoor Corp (NYSE: DECK) rose 3.5 percent to $107.27 after reporting better-than-expected results for its fiscal fourth quarter.
Check out these big penny stock gainers and losers
Top 10 Biotech Stocks To Watch Right Now: Biogen Idec Inc(BIIB)
Advisors’ Opinion:
- [By Keith Speights]
Shares of Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB) were up 15.2% as of 11:35 a.m. EDT on Friday after the biotech, along with partner Eisai, reported encouraging results from a phase 2 clinical study of BAN2401 in treating Alzheimer’s disease. Patients taking BAN2401 achieved statistically significantimprovement compared to patients on placebo after 18 months inslowing progression of Alzheimer’s disease and in the reductionofamyloidaccumulations inthe brain.
- [By Brian Orelli]
Data source: Ionis Pharmaceuticals.
What happened with Ionis Pharmaceuticals this quarter?
Revenue increased thanks to $41 million in royalties from Biogen’s (NASDAQ:BIIB) sales of Spinraza, up from just $5 million in the year-ago quarter. Because the tiered royalty rates reset each year, the royalties as a percentage of sales will end up being higher in the quarters to come this year. Despite the higher revenue, earnings turned negative on a GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) basis: Ionis and Akcea Therapeutics (NASDAQ:AKCA) increased spending in preparation for the launch of Tegsedi for hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR), and Waylivra for familial chylomicronemia syndrome, a rare disease that causes the buildup of lipids. Ionis is still the majority owner of Akcea, so its financials are incorporated into Ionis’ financials. The Food and Drug Administration pushed back its goal for making a decision on the marketing application for Tegsedi (the new brand name for inotersen) to Oct. 6, 2018. Ionis provided additional data analysis that the FDA needs additional time to review. In April, Ionis signed another deal with Biogen to develop antisense drugs for neurological disorders. In the deal, Ionis gets $1 billion up front, including an equity investment, in exchange for Biogen having first choice of neurology targets on which to exclusively collaborate with Ionis. Biogen is paying for everything beyond the initial discovery stage, with Ionis eligible for royalties and milestone payments as the drugs advance.
Image source: Getty Images.
- [By Chris Lange]
Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB) shares jumped early on Friday after the firm, in conjunction with Eisai out of Japan, announced positive results from a midstage Alzheimers study. The topline results came from the Phase 2 study with BAN2401, an anti-amyloid beta protofibril antibody, in 856 patients with early Alzheimer’s disease.
- [By Chris Lange]
Short interest in Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB) increased to 4.73 million shares from the previous 4.33 million. The stock recently traded at $291.92, within a 52-week range of $249.17 to $370.57.
- [By Chris Lange]
Short interest in Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB) increased to 3.50 million shares from the previous 3.16 million. The stock recently traded at $262.15, within a 52-week range of $244.28 to $370.57.
- [By Brian Orelli]
Drug-developer Biogen (NASDAQ:BIIB) reported a pretty strong earningsincrease in the first quarter. While revenue growth wasn’t as solid, investors appear to be giving management a pass, thanks to its explanations on why slowing first-quarter sales aren’t a sign of future trouble.
