Core Viewpoint - Growth stocks are appealing due to their potential for above-average financial growth, but identifying the right ones can be challenging due to associated risks and volatility [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Exelixis (EXEL) is highlighted as a promising growth stock, possessing a favorable Growth Score and a top Zacks Rank [2] - The company has a historical EPS growth rate of 28.3%, with projected EPS growth of 31.8% this year, surpassing the industry average of 19.8% [5] - Exelixis has achieved a year-over-year cash flow growth of 135.6%, significantly higher than the industry average of -4.5% [6] Group 2: Financial Metrics - Earnings growth is crucial for attracting investor attention, with double-digit growth being particularly favorable [4] - The annualized cash flow growth rate for Exelixis over the past 3-5 years is 10.8%, compared to the industry average of 3.7% [7] - There has been a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions for Exelixis, with a 1.3% increase in the current-year earnings estimates over the past month [9] Group 3: Investment Positioning - Exelixis has earned a Growth Score of A and a Zacks Rank 2 due to positive earnings estimate revisions, positioning it well for potential outperformance [11]

Core Viewpoint - Exelixis (EXEL) has demonstrated strong performance in the biotech sector, with a 35.2% increase in stock price over the past three months, significantly outperforming the industry growth of 11.8% [1][7]. Pipeline and Study Updates - The stock received a boost from positive results in the late-stage STELLAR-303 study for zanzalintinib, a promising pipeline candidate [2][3]. - The STELLAR-303 study involved 901 patients with previously non-microsatellite instability-high metastatic colorectal cancer, comparing zanzalintinib in combination with Tecentriq against the standard drug regorafenib [4][5]. - Zanzalintinib is a third-generation oral TKI that targets various receptor tyrosine kinases involved in cancer progression [5]. - The study met one of its primary endpoints, showing a statistically significant improvement in overall survival for the treatment group [5][6]. - Exelixis plans to continue the trial for further analysis of the second primary endpoint related to patients without liver metastases [6]. Product Performance and Revenue Guidance - Exelixis' lead drug, Cabometyx, remains a top TKI for renal cell carcinoma, with strong sales driven by label expansions and high demand [10][11]. - The company raised its 2024 revenue guidance by $100 million, supported by Cabometyx's momentum and pipeline advancements [8][11]. - Recent label expansions for Cabometyx are expected to further enhance sales, particularly in treating neuroendocrine tumors [12][13]. Collaborative Efforts - Exelixis is collaborating with Merck to evaluate zanzalintinib in combination with Keytruda for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in a late-stage study [9]. Pipeline Expansion - The company is making significant progress in expanding its oncology portfolio beyond Cabometyx, with plans to submit an investigational new drug application for XB371 to the FDA in 2025 [14][15]. Valuation and Estimates - Exelixis shares are currently trading at a price/sales ratio of 5.03x forward sales, higher than the biotech industry's average of 1.57x [16]. - The bottom-line estimate for 2025 has increased to $2.64 per share, with a positive trend in earnings estimates over the past 60 days [18][19]. Investment Outlook - Exelixis is viewed as a strong investment opportunity due to its robust fundamentals, growth prospects, and efforts to enhance shareholder value [20].

Group 1: Investment Strategy - A formula for generating strong returns involves investing small amounts in top stocks regularly over long periods, with fractional shares being one method to apply this strategy [1] - Attractive corporations can be found at affordable prices, particularly in the healthcare sector [2] Group 2: Pfizer - Pfizer's shares have significantly declined due to reduced revenue and earnings post-coronavirus success, with a notable patent cliff approaching for Eliquis [4] - The company has improved its pipeline and received major approvals, which are expected to positively impact revenue over time [5] - Pfizer is engaged in cost-cutting efforts, planning to reduce expenses further through 2027 [5] - The company offers a strong dividend program, having increased payouts by 19.45% over the past five years, with a forward yield of 7.1% [6] - Pfizer's forward price-to-earnings ratio is 8.3, significantly below the healthcare industry average of 16.1, indicating it is reasonably valued [6] - While recovery may take time, it is considered a worthwhile investment for patient, income-seeking investors [7] Group 3: Exelixis - Exelixis specializes in oncology, with its top-selling product, Cabometyx, approved for various cancers, contributing positively to revenue and earnings [9] - The company won a patent litigation case, ensuring Cabometyx's generic version will not enter the market until early 2030, which is crucial for financial stability [10] - Cabometyx received a label expansion for treating pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, maintaining a strong market share in renal cell carcinoma treatments [11] - Exelixis announced positive results for its next-gen cancer medicine, zanzalintinib, in a phase 3 study for metastatic colorectal cancer, addressing an unmet need [12] - With these developments, Exelixis's future appears promising, with shares currently priced at $44, suggesting potential for solid returns if held for five years or more [13]

Industry Overview - The biotech industry has shown resilience amid global trade tensions, with ongoing geopolitical issues presenting challenges, yet the demand for innovative medical treatments remains strong [1] - Strategic collaborations and acquisitions are increasingly common as large pharma and biotech companies seek to expand their product portfolios and pipelines, particularly in the context of AI-driven drug discovery [2][9] - The Zacks Biomedical and Genetics industry is currently ranked 86, placing it in the top 35% of over 246 Zacks industries, indicating a decent outlook driven by consistent demand for medical advancements [15] Market Trends - The focus on high-profile drug performance and innovative pipeline development is critical, with significant R&D expenditures required to create breakthrough treatments [6] - Successful commercialization is essential for drug uptake, often leading smaller biotech firms to collaborate with larger companies for shared sales or royalties [7] - The recent emphasis on AI technology for drug discovery is expected to attract further investment into the biotech sector [11] Company Performance - Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) is positioned well with its lead drug, Cabometyx, which is gaining traction in the oncology market, and its shares have surged 31% year to date [35][36] - Verona Pharma (VRNA) has seen a 94.8% increase in shares year to date, driven by the uptake of its drug Ohtuvayre for COPD, with further growth anticipated [24] - Alkermes (ALKS) is benefiting from strong sales of its proprietary drugs and has a Zacks Rank of 1, with EPS estimates for 2025 rising to $1.79 [26][27] - Immunocore Holdings (IMCR) focuses on TCR bispecific immunotherapies and has gained 11.4% year to date, with ongoing studies expected to enhance its market position [30][32] - Kiniska Pharmaceuticals (KNSA) is experiencing growth with its FDA-approved drug Arcalyst and has seen a 37.7% increase in shares [39][40]

Core Insights - Stock markets are currently facing significant volatility due to geopolitical tensions and an ongoing trade war, leading to expectations of economic slowdown and rising inflation [1] Group 1: Broker Recommendations - Following brokers' recommendations can simplify stock selection, with Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL), Lyft, Inc. (LYFT), and Kinross Gold Corporation (KGC) highlighted as potential investment opportunities [2] - Brokers have direct communication with top management, providing them with insights into company performance and sector dynamics, which aids in assessing stock potential [3] Group 2: Stock Selection Strategy - A screening strategy for identifying potential winning stocks includes: - Broker rating upgrades of 1% or more over the last four weeks [5] - Current stock price greater than $5 [5] - Average 20-day trading volume greater than 100,000 [5] - Stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) have historically shown success, especially when combined with a VGM Score of A or B [6] Group 3: Company-Specific Insights - Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) focuses on oncology and has four approved drugs, with a projected 32% earnings growth in 2025 and a 5% recent broker rating upgrade [7][9] - Lyft, Inc. (LYFT) operates multimodal transportation networks, expecting a 15.8% earnings growth in 2025, with a 2.5% recent broker rating upgrade [8][9] - Kinross Gold Corporation (KGC) is a top gold mining company, with a projected 69.1% earnings growth in 2025 and an 8.3% recent broker rating upgrade [10][9]

Company Overview - Exelixis (EXEL) shares increased by 7.4% to close at $43.37, supported by high trading volume, contrasting with a 4.8% decline over the past four weeks [1] - The company announced that the late-stage STELLAR-303 study met one of its dual primary endpoints, showing a statistically significant improvement in overall survival for patients treated with zanzalintinib in combination with Tecentriq compared to regorafenib [2] - The consensus EPS estimate for Exelixis is $0.63 for the upcoming quarter, reflecting a year-over-year decrease of 25%, with expected revenues of $571.08 million, down 10.4% from the previous year [3] Earnings and Estimates - The consensus EPS estimate for Exelixis has been revised 0.8% higher in the last 30 days, indicating a positive trend that may lead to price appreciation [4] - Exelixis holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting favorable market sentiment [4] Industry Context - Exelixis operates within the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, where Cartesian Therapeutics, Inc. (RNAC) also competes, having closed 0.7% higher at $9.83 [4] - Cartesian Therapeutics has a consensus EPS estimate of -$0.77, representing a significant year-over-year change of -242.6%, and currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [5]

Core Insights - Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) shares increased by 7.4% following the announcement of positive results from the late-stage STELLAR-303 study [1][9] - The STELLAR-303 study demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in overall survival for patients treated with zanzalintinib in combination with Tecentriq compared to regorafenib [5][9] - Year-to-date, Exelixis shares have risen by 30.2%, contrasting with a 3.4% decline in the industry [2] Study Details - The STELLAR-303 study is a phase III global, multicenter, randomized, open-label trial involving 901 patients with previously non-MSI-high metastatic colorectal cancer [2][5] - The study's primary endpoints include overall survival in the intent-to-treat population and a subgroup without liver metastases [5][6] - Zanzalintinib is a third-generation oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting receptor tyrosine kinases involved in cancer growth [4] Future Prospects - The trial will continue to analyze the second primary endpoint concerning overall survival in patients without liver metastases [6][9] - The positive results from the STELLAR-303 study enhance the likelihood of regulatory success for zanzalintinib [7] - Exelixis is actively working to diversify its oncology portfolio beyond its lead drug, Cabometyx, with zanzalintinib being developed for various advanced solid tumors [12][14] Collaboration and Market Position - Exelixis is collaborating with Merck to evaluate zanzalintinib in combination with Keytruda for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma [13] - Cabometyx remains a leading tyrosine kinase inhibitor for renal cell carcinoma, with strong demand bolstered by its combination with Opdivo [10][11] - Recent label expansions for Cabometyx are expected to further enhance sales [11]

Company Performance - Exelixis shares have increased by 30.2% since the beginning of the year, outperforming the Zacks Medical sector, which declined by 5.1%, and the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, which fell by 4.2% [1] - The stock recently reached a 52-week high of $49.62, with a monthly increase of 2.3% [1] Earnings and Revenue Expectations - For the current fiscal year, Exelixis is projected to report earnings of $2.61 per share on revenues of $2.34 billion, reflecting a 30.5% increase in EPS and a 7.94% increase in revenues [3] - For the next fiscal year, earnings are expected to rise to $3.03 per share on revenues of $2.65 billion, indicating year-over-year changes of 16.13% in EPS and 13.22% in revenues [3] Valuation Metrics - Exelixis has a Value Score of B, a Growth Score of A, and a Momentum Score of A, resulting in a combined VGM Score of A [6] - The stock trades at 16.6X current fiscal year EPS estimates, below the peer industry average of 19.4X, and at 22.5X trailing cash flow, compared to the peer group's average of 14.6X [7] - The PEG ratio stands at 0.79, indicating that while the stock is not in the top echelon from a value perspective, it still presents a reasonable valuation [7] Zacks Rank - Exelixis holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), supported by rising earnings estimates, which suggests potential for further price appreciation [8] Industry Context - The Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry is performing well, ranking in the top 35% of all industries, providing favorable conditions for both Exelixis and its peer, Fortrea Holdings Inc. [11]

This article is published by Terry Chrisomalis, who runs the Biotech Analysis Central pharmaceutical service on Seeking Alpha Marketplace. If you like what you read here and would like to subscribe to, I'm currently offering a two-week free trial period for subscribers to take advantage of. My service offers a deep-dive analysis of many pharmaceutical companies. The Biotech Analysis Central SA marketplace is $49 per month, but for those who sign up for the yearly plan will be able to take advantage of a 33. ...

Core Insights - Exelixis (EXEL) is currently viewed as a more attractive investment compared to argenex SE (ARGX) for value investors due to its stronger earnings outlook and better valuation metrics [3][7]. Valuation Metrics - EXEL has a forward P/E ratio of 17.95, significantly lower than ARGX's forward P/E of 41.38, indicating that EXEL is potentially undervalued [5]. - The PEG ratio for EXEL is 0.85, while ARGX has a PEG ratio of 0.96, suggesting that EXEL offers better value relative to its expected earnings growth [5]. - EXEL's P/B ratio stands at 5.38, compared to ARGX's P/B of 6.39, further supporting the notion that EXEL is more attractively priced [6]. Investment Ratings - EXEL holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a positive earnings estimate revision trend, while ARGX has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [3]. - The Value grade for EXEL is B, whereas ARGX has a Value grade of C, reflecting EXEL's superior valuation metrics [6].