My parents are in their late 80s and still living life to the fullest. I honestly hope I live as long and am as active as they are today.
When my father was born his life expectancy was about 56 years. Today, he is getting close to twice that age and hardly slowing down. Last summer we took away the keys to his car, so he bought a street legal electric car that does not need a license and rejoined the world.
When I went home last month to visit my mother after she had a surprise triple heart attack, I was shocked at how many medications she was taking. She is recovering thanks to a cocktail of pills that are addressing her medical issues. This is technology that did not exist even 20 years ago.
Pfizer Inc.
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Buy, Sell or Hold: Six Reasons Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) is a Generational Buy
Pfizer Hopes New CEO Ian Read Can Help Drugmaker Overcome Lipitor Revenue Loss
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) surprised analysts and investors Sunday by announcing the replacement of Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey B. Kindler with Ian C. Read, the company's head of global biopharmaceutical operations. The move was made as the world's largest drugmaker prepares for generic competition for its top-selling cholesterol drug Lipitor.
After four and a half years in the top spot, Kindler suddenly announced his retirement, saying in a statement that the job had been "extremely demanding on me personally" and he needed to "recharge my batteries."
Pfizer needs sharp, powerful management to ready the pharmaceutical giant for the November 2011 patent expiration of cholesterol pill Lipitor, the world's top-selling drug. Lipitor accounted for $11.5 billion in sales last year – 23% of Pfizer's $50 billion total annual sales.
After four and a half years in the top spot, Kindler suddenly announced his retirement, saying in a statement that the job had been "extremely demanding on me personally" and he needed to "recharge my batteries."
Pfizer needs sharp, powerful management to ready the pharmaceutical giant for the November 2011 patent expiration of cholesterol pill Lipitor, the world's top-selling drug. Lipitor accounted for $11.5 billion in sales last year – 23% of Pfizer's $50 billion total annual sales.
M&A Frenzy Stays Hot With Pfizer's $3.6 Billion Deal for King Pharmaceuticals
The frenzy of activity in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) continued yesterday (Tuesday), when Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) agreed to pay $3.6 billion in cash to buy King Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NYSE: KG).
Pfizer, the world's largest drugmaker, is paying $14.25 per share for King. That's a premium of 40% to the stock's Monday closing price of $10.15. As part of the deal, Pfizer will receive such products as Avinza and EpiPen, a pre-filled injection designed to quickly treat serious allergic reactions.
King also gives Pfizer access to the Flector pain patch and morphine pill Embeda. Pfizer has been looking to expand its pain products beyond the arthritis treatment Celebrex and nerve pain remedy Lyrica. King had $1.78 billion in revenue last year and is focused on making pain medications that patients can't abuse.
Pfizer needs new products to help offset revenue losses expected next year when generic copies of its top-selling drug, the Lipitor cholesterol pill, enter the market. Lipitor sales topped $11.4 billion last year.
Pfizer, the world's largest drugmaker, is paying $14.25 per share for King. That's a premium of 40% to the stock's Monday closing price of $10.15. As part of the deal, Pfizer will receive such products as Avinza and EpiPen, a pre-filled injection designed to quickly treat serious allergic reactions.
King also gives Pfizer access to the Flector pain patch and morphine pill Embeda. Pfizer has been looking to expand its pain products beyond the arthritis treatment Celebrex and nerve pain remedy Lyrica. King had $1.78 billion in revenue last year and is focused on making pain medications that patients can't abuse.
Pfizer needs new products to help offset revenue losses expected next year when generic copies of its top-selling drug, the Lipitor cholesterol pill, enter the market. Lipitor sales topped $11.4 billion last year.
Buy, Sell or Hold: Altria Group Inc. (NYSE: MO) – The 'Sin Stock' You Have to Own
With more than 1 billion smokers worldwide, it is hard to conceive that companies selling cigarettes would not be extremely profitable. In addition, the majority of people who are smokers also tend to be alcohol consumers. One company that services both of these vices is Altria Group Inc. (NYSE: MO).
Altria Group is a holding company; its wholly owned subsidiaries consist of Phillip Morris USA Inc., U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. (prior to 2001 it was known as United States Tobacco Inc.), John Middleton Co. and Phillip Morris Capital Corp.
On Jan. 6 2009, Altria Group purchased UST Inc. in a $10 billion deal that gave the maker of Marlboro cigarettes an entrée into the "smokeless tobacco" market, thanks to UST's ownership of the Skoal and Copenhagen brands.
Altria Group is a holding company; its wholly owned subsidiaries consist of Phillip Morris USA Inc., U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. (prior to 2001 it was known as United States Tobacco Inc.), John Middleton Co. and Phillip Morris Capital Corp.
On Jan. 6 2009, Altria Group purchased UST Inc. in a $10 billion deal that gave the maker of Marlboro cigarettes an entrée into the "smokeless tobacco" market, thanks to UST's ownership of the Skoal and Copenhagen brands.
Buy, Sell or Hold: Is Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) the Right Prescription for Your Portfolio?
In 2008, the journal Health Affairs reported that 25% of China's adult population - about 375 million people - was "overweight" or "obese."
That number is expected to double by 2028, and obesity is just one health issue in a densely polluted nation that finds itself battling a growing list of ailments.
So it's no surprise that China's pharmaceutical market has been surging at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 16% -- the fastest pace in the world, according to research by market-intelligence leader IMS Health Inc. (NYSE: RX). IMS Health estimates that by 2020 the Chinese market for pharmaceuticals will be $110 billion, second only to the United States.
That number is expected to double by 2028, and obesity is just one health issue in a densely polluted nation that finds itself battling a growing list of ailments.
So it's no surprise that China's pharmaceutical market has been surging at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 16% -- the fastest pace in the world, according to research by market-intelligence leader IMS Health Inc. (NYSE: RX). IMS Health estimates that by 2020 the Chinese market for pharmaceuticals will be $110 billion, second only to the United States.
Teva Pharmaceutical Wins Fight in the Generic Drug Market Battle
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq: TEVA) will buy sought-after German generic producer Ratiopharm for $4.97 billion, continuing a trend of highly competitive merger-and-acquisition (M&A) activity in the pharmaceutical industry. Competitors have pursued Ratiopharm for nine months because of its position as the second biggest generic producer in Germany. It was put up for sale in […]
Which Stocks and Sectors Will Shine as Market Fear Subsides?
A lot of my commentary lately on the markets has been relatively short-term oriented. Today let's take a moment to pan back and consider the weekly perspective, which is rather benign, even positive.
From this point of view, stocks are broadly recovering from their most oversold condition since March of last year -- and the release of the energy stored up then persisted at near-full strength for three months.
To find out which stocks are positioned for profit, .
From this point of view, stocks are broadly recovering from their most oversold condition since March of last year -- and the release of the energy stored up then persisted at near-full strength for three months.
To find out which stocks are positioned for profit, .
Investment News Briefs
With our investment news briefs, Money Morning provides investors with a quick overview of the most important investing news stories from all around the world. Apple Stock Hits 52-Week High; Buffet: Wall Street Pay Needs "Downside"; Housing Starts Rise, Producer Prices Fall; Obama Administration to Unveil New Small Business Assistance; Coke Profit Flat, Revenue Misses […]