More and more, there are signs that the capital markets are finding equilibrium. For example, Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) was able to raise $13.5 billion in debt financing this week. The structure was a five-part issue of notes.

Of course, Pfizer needs the cash to pull off its $64.2 billion acquisition of Wyeth (NYSE: WYE).

Continue reading Pfizer raises a healthy $13.5 billion

Pfizer raises a healthy $13.5 billion originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"The silver lining to the market decline is that some of our favorite stocks have fallen into 'buy' territory," says Nilus Mattive. In his Dividend Superstars he eyes one favorite, Pfizer (NYSE: PFE).

"Pfizer is now trading well below my suggested entry price of $16. In fact, it's back at levels last seen in 1996! The major catalyst for this sharp decline was Pfizer's decision to halve its dividend.

"That came on January 27, just two months after the company said it would simply leave the payment flat this year (which was already the first failure to raise in 42 years).

Continue reading Pfizer (PFE) drops to buy territory

Pfizer (PFE) drops to buy territory originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

From TheStreet.com Network

• Pfizer in Talks to Acquire Wyeth
• Pfizer to Slash Up to 2,400 Sales Jobs

Pfizer's (NYSE: PFE) (Cramer's Take) moves suddenly make sense. You lay off your scientists, you buy the better group at Wyeth (NYSE: WYE) (Cramer's Take) , you get Wyeth's franchise and you slash the sales budget, and voila, you have growth.

That's the greatness of the pharma industry. You need mergers, especially when Obama has made it clear that he's not going to be in the camp of stifling generic competition, of which Pfizer faces the brunt of.

It is why I recommended Forest Labs (NYSE: FRX) (Cramer's Take) last night -- believe me, that's the cheapest. I own Bristol-Myers (NYSE: BMY) (Cramer's Take) because BMY looks like Wyeth with a bigger dividend and a great cancer franchise.

Celgene (NASDAQ: CELG) (Cramer's Take) too -- Celgene was approached not that long ago when it was much higher. CELG's another way to replenish.

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Pfizer's Wyeth bid is obvious in retrospect

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Pfizer's Wyeth bid is obvious in retrospect originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

ZGEN: ZymoGenetics Inc. gaining insider action originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Government diabetes study hits a speed bump

Government diabetes study hits a speed bump originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

There are so many crazy mistakes being made by this market that you have to keep your eyes open every minute. The biggest-cap stocks are acting like small-cap stocks.

Which brings me to Merck (NYSE: MRK) (Cramer's Take). This morning, Merck traded down to $47 off some deaths from maybe one of the most important inventions of all time, Gardasil, the anti-cancer vaccine.

Three bucks! How can that be! This vaccine's not going off the market. When you put this on top of how Schering-Plough (NYSE: SGP) (Cramer's Take) got cut in half because of fears that a drug will be pulled that represents 50% of its earnings (after the Organon merger, that's my estimate), you can see how extremist the market has become. Both Merck and Schering act like there will be no Vytorin sales at all next year at this time.

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Buy this extremism

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Buy this extremism originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Drug companies withheld results of anti-depressant studies originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 17 Jan 2008 07:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Salix (NASDAQ: SLXP) has announced it will launch a generic version of its Colazal (treatment for ulcerative colitis) with Watson Pharma (NYSE: WPI). Mylan (NYSE: MYL), Apotex, and Roxane have received FDA clearance to market their own generic versions of SLXP's Colazal.

SLXP is recently down $1.01 to $8.00 in pre-open trading. Wachovia says, "Valuation range: $9 to $10."

SLXP January option implied volatility of 104 is above its 26-week average of 72 according to Track Data, suggesting larger risk.

Options Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com

Options update 12-31-07: Salix volatility jumps on generic Colazal plans originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 31 Dec 2007 08:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Teva Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: TEVA) raised its guidance for '07 after Teva launched a generic version of Wyeth (NYSE: WYE) Protonix over the weekend, to the apparent surprise of Wyeth management. It's clear that Teva must have started shipping the drug, and that's why it is raising guidance. Goldman Sachs analyst Randall Stanicky reaffirmed a "Buy" rating on Teva, saying the launch was unsurprising and the company has likely already shipped a decent amount of the generic drug to pharmacies.

This is just the latest in a long line of setbacks for big pharma, as generics continue to scoop up market share of drugs that come off patent. Teva, as the world's leading generic company, continues to grow and has a great pipeline for '08, and as a result the stock should continue climbing as well.

Aaron Katsman is the lead Portfolio Manager and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. and Senior Editor of IsraelNewsletter.com. Disclosure: Writer has a position in TEVA and is long the stock. Writer has no position in any other stock mentioned as of 12/24/07.

Teva launches generic of Wyeth's Protonix, raises guidance originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 26 Dec 2007 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) is facing a number of lawsuits that say its painkiller Celebrex can cause heart attacks. Yesterday, a court threw some of those cases out. The Wall Street Journal wrote "U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer of San Francisco ruled that plaintiffs in the litigation haven't presented scientifically reliable evidence that Celebrex caused heart attacks or strokes when taken at a daily dosage of 200 milligrams." Pfizer says that the 200 milligram dose is the one most commonly given.

The cases involving Celebrex include over 3,000 plantiffs, and some are suing about effects of the drug at a higher dose, but the ruling is still a considerable relief for the big pharma company.

Like most drug liability cases, this one hinges on whether Pfizer knew that there were risks that the drug could cause significant problems beyond those disclosed on the labels. In that case, the amount of the dose would seem to be academic, especially for anyone who became sick.

But the court may have more wisdom than Wall Street and some plaintiffs will go unrewarded. As the tobacco companies proved two decades ago, suing big business rarely yields much reward.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

Pfizer spared from some Celebrex lawsuits originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 08:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Celgene acquiring Pharmion -- a smart move originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 09:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Teva currently is the generic market leader with 20% market share. CEO of Teva North America, George Barrett, said that Teva has about 150 generic drugs awaiting U.S. approval that are versions of brand-name medicines worth a total of about $90 billion in annual sales.

Teva is looking for growth via acquisitions as well as organically. In spite of intense competition, Teva has established a tremendous pipeline of generics. BloggingStocks' Aaron Katsman wrote recently about the progress of Teva's clinical trial for an oral MS drug.

Most world health systems are looking to take cost out of the medical system and generics do just that. Teva has a strong history of drug development, regulatory experience, and marketing/distribution prowess. Through its pipeline and with new acquisitions on the horizon, the future looks good for Teva.

Zack Miller is the Managing Editor of IsraelNewsletter.com and a former equity analyst for a leading multinational hedge fund. Author's fund holds a position in TEVA as of 11/15/2007.

Teva Pharmaceuticals (TEVA) seeing strong growth ahead originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 16 Nov 2007 10:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

TEVA Pharmaceutical (NASDAQ: TEVA), the world's biggest generic drugmaker, reported that third-quarter net income fell to $525 million, or 64 cents a share, from $606 million, or 74 cents, in the year-earlier period. Sales reached $2.37 billion from $2.29 billion. Consensus estimates of 63 cents of profit on sales of $2.41 billion was expected. While TEVA was a bit light on the revenue line, it beat by a penny on EPS, in large part due to stronger than expected margins.

With a very strong pipeline, and expanding margins, TEVA continues to be the leading large pharma play out there. The stock is trading down today for two reasons. Up more than 50% year to date, the stock was priced for a blowout earnings report, which we didn't get. More importantly, CFO Dan Suesskind announced his retirement. In the company for over 30 years, he is the face of the company to investors, and his departure leaves many nervous. Hi replacement, current Checkpoint (NASDAQ: CHKP) CFO, Eyal Desheh, is no slouch. He knows TEVA well, having worked there for six years and as CFO of a NASDAQ 100 high-tech company, he is well-known on the Street.

For those looking for a long-term pharma play, consider buying TEVA on any weakness.

Disclosure: Author holds both TEVA and CHKP as of 10/30/07.

Aaron Katsman is the lead Portfolio Manager and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. and Senior Editor of IsraelNewsletter.com.

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage

TEVA CFO's departure overshadows strong margins originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In one of the worst moves by a large pharma company in recent memory, Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) is tying up with doctor social network Sermo. According to The Wall Street Journal, "Pfizer-affiliated doctors will be able to talk candidly with the site's 31,000 members, potentially giving the company insights into prescribing patterns and a way to show doctors data on its drugs."

The paper points out that there is some risk in the move because the FDA and other federal agencies watch drug company communications with doctors very carefully. But Pfizer has cut its sales force and the internet may be a way for the company to do some not so subtle marketing.

The part of the plan that is really flawed is that Sermo could become a platform for groups of doctors to mount powerful criticisms of Pfizer drugs or offer clinical evidence that pending or current drugs may represent unacceptable risks to patients. In other words, the social network could undo as many sales as it makes for the big drug company.

It is Pandora's Box that Pfizer will wish it has not opened.

Douglas A. McIntyre is a partner at 24/7 Wall St.

Pfizer (PFE) makes a MySpace move originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 15 Oct 2007 10:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Amgen and Pfizer: Down-and-out drug stocks to consider originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 21 May 2007 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Note: The Daily Option Update is provided by Stock Options Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Volatility Index S&P 500 Options-VIX up 1.17 to 10.44.

Applied Materials Inc.-(NASDAQ:AMAT) option prices suggests risk levels below average into EPS.

Applied Materials is expected to report EPS of .27 cents tonight after the close. Stifel Nicolaus has a buy rating with a $23 price target on Applied Materials. AMAT February straddle is priced at .85 above its theoretical value of .47 cents. Applied Materials March option implied volatility of 32 is near its 26-week average of 30 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price fluctuations.

Nvidia Corporation -(NASDAQ:NVDA) option prices suggests risk levels are flat into EPS & Outlook

Nvidia, a designer, developer and marketer of graphic processing units, is expected to report EPS of .42 cents tonight. American Technology Research says "Nvidia is very well positioned entering in 2007 given its favorable exposure to the PC segment entering a large upgrade cycle, favorable exposure to the gaming segment with PS3 ready to ship high volume, and increasing share in the consumer mobile segment." Nvidia February straddle is priced at $2.15, above its theoretical value of 41.49. NVDA March option implied volatility of 45 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting reduced risk levels after EPS.

Option volume leaders today were: Alcoa (NYSE:AA), Nasdaq (NASDAQ:NDAQ), AK Steel (NYSE:AKS), RadioShack Corp. (NYSE:RSH), Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) and Onyx Pharma (NASDAQ:ONXX).

Daily Option Update - February 13, 2007 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 13 Feb 2007 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Merck & Co. (NYSE:MRK) fourth-quarter results could have been much worse. Instead they may indicate that there is some hope for the drug maker to improve its results despite the huge liability it faces because of Vioxx and the expiration of the patent on Zocor, which had been its top seller.

Net income plunged to $473.9 million, or 22 cents per share, versus $1.12 billion, or 51 cents, a year earlier. Revenue jumped 4.8 percent. to $6.04 billion, boosted by strong sales of allergy and asthma. Excluding charges, profit was 50 cents, matching the consensus forecasts. Wall Street was expecting revenue of $5.37 billion. It repeated guidance for the year of $2.51 to $2.59 per share.

A potential bright spot for the Whitehouse New Jersey-based company may be in its $1.1 billion purchase of the biotech firm Sirna. WBB Securities analyst Steve Brozak told the Associated Press that "If it harms this quarter or next quarter, that is not a big deal."

Increased sales of drugs such as Singulair and Vytorin along with gains in the vaccine business softened the blow from the drop off in Zocor revenue.

The company has raised its earnings forecasts three times last year and investors are expecting it to happen again. Merck's shares barely moved after the earnings were issued yesterday. Considering all of the challenges this company is facing, that's saying something.

Also check out some other earnings reports that we're following, and let us know what you're expecting.

All hope isn't lost for Merck originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 31 Jan 2007 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Baird initiated Noven Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: NOVN) with an Outperform and $30 target, based on the Daytrana, which Baird believes should be a driver for shares with continued success, milestones and improved profitability.

• Also initiated by Baird, POZEN Inc (NASDAQ: POZN) with an Outperform rating and $26 target; they expect Pozen's Trexima to be approved in mid-2007 and for their marketing partner, GlaxoSmithKline plc ADR (NYSE: GSK), to convert 60% of Imitrix market share to Trexima.

• Thomas Weisel initiated Hansen Medical (NASDAQ: HNSN) with an Overweight rating and $14.50 target; the firm is positive on the Sensai platform, a robotic catheter control system, which allows unprecedented control and enables new procedures to become minimally invasive.

Analyst initiations 12-29-06: Pharmaceuticals Noven & Pozen take top honors originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 29 Dec 2006 11:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Cramer says Nucor, Best Buy weighing market down on STOP TRADING originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 12 Dec 2006 15:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Like most of the Big Pharma companies, Merck & Co. (NYSE:MRK) needs a winner. Wall St. is scared witless that generic drug firms like Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (NASDAQ:TEVA) will scoop up all of the customers as drugs come off patent.

With Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) and every corner store offering $4 prescriptions for generic drugs, the sun may be setting on operations like Merck.

Merck is trying to get its new painkiller [subscription required], Arcoxia, out the door without physicians thinking it has health risks like the company's heart-unhealthy drug Vioxx.

Arcoxia is already controversial and it is not even for sale in the U.S. with some doctors thinking the drug could be as dangerous as Vioxx. However, a study presented at the recent American Heart Association conference indicated that the drug was fairly safe. Only 1% of the people on the drug suffered a heart attack, stroke, or death within the first year.

Great odds if you are not the patient who died.

Douglas McIntyre is a partner at 24/7 Wall St.

Merck's next horse pill originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 14 Nov 2006 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.