DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ICON plc (NASDAQ: ICLR) today announced a significant expansion of oncology research capabilities within its Accellacare Site Network through the opening of the Brian Moran Cancer Institute at Duly Health and Care in Illinois. The new institute strengthens Accellacare's ability to support oncology clinical trials and broaden access to innovative cancer treatments for patients. The Brian Moran Cancer Institute includes: 14 medical oncologists Three radiation oncologi. ...

Group 1: Artisan Mid Cap Value Fund Performance - Artisan Mid Cap Value Fund's Investor Class fund ARTQX returned 0.97%, Advisor Class fund APDQX posted a return of 0.98%, and Institutional Class fund APHQX returned 0.97% in Q3 2025, compared to a 6.18% return for the Russell Midcap Value Index [1] - The equity markets continued to rally in Q3 2025, driven by strong corporate earnings, rising AI capital expenditures, and expectations for economic support from US fiscal policy and lower interest rates [1] Group 2: ICON Public Limited Company Overview - ICON Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:ICLR) is the second-largest global contract research organization (CRO), providing outsourced clinical development services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries [3] - The one-month return for ICON was 3.61%, while its shares lost 12.45% over the last 52 weeks, closing at $188.67 per share on January 2, 2026, with a market capitalization of $14.673 billion [2] Group 3: Market Conditions and Outlook for ICON - The life sciences, pharma, and biotech sectors have faced weakness over the past year, but positive earnings reports from ICON and other CROs suggest that biopharma demand may be bottoming [3] - The biopharma funding environment has been challenging due to higher interest rates and macroeconomic uncertainty, leading to cautious decision-making among pharma and biotech companies [3] - The current market conditions present an opportunity to build a position in ICON, which is expected to generate mid- to high-single-digit revenue growth in a normalized environment and gain market share in a fragmented industry [3] - ICON is trading at just 13X forward earnings, near its cheapest levels since the 2008–2009 global financial crisis, making the risk/reward profile attractive [3]

Core Insights - Baupost Group's latest 13F filing reveals a highly selective and concentrated portfolio, focusing on durable businesses with long-term cash generation potential [1][2] Investment Moves - **Restaurant Brands International (QSR)**: Increased by 4,203,300 shares to 8,252,862 shares, representing a $529.3 million position (11.05% of the portfolio). This is now Baupost's largest equity holding, indicating a belief in significant mispricing relative to its stable franchise model and cash flows [3][4] - **Elevance Health (ELV)**: Increased by 703,000 shares to 1,319,000 shares, totaling a $426.2 million position (8.90%). The increase suggests confidence in the company's predictable cash flows and resilience in a politically noisy sector [5][6] - **Union Pacific (UNP)**: Newly established position with 1,496,204 shares, valued at $353.7 million (7.38%). The railroad's high barriers to entry and pricing power align with Baupost's focus on downside protection [7][8] - **Alphabet (GOOG)**: Reduced by 775,850 shares to 1,858,138 shares, now a $452.6 million position (9.45%). The reduction reflects portfolio risk management rather than a loss of conviction [9] - **CRH plc (CRH)**: Trimmed by 442,000 shares to 3,383,395 shares, valued at $405.7 million (8.47%). The trim indicates a disciplined approach to valuation, despite the long-term thesis remaining intact [10] - **Full Exits**: Baupost exited several positions entirely, including Viasat, Liberty Broadband, ICON plc, and Amcor, signaling a shift in risk-reward balance [11][12] Strategic Focus - The quarter was characterized by conviction-driven capital redeployment into high-confidence ideas, particularly in sectors like restaurants, railroads, healthcare, and materials [13][14] - Trimming positions like GOOG and CRH reflects a focus on risk management and valuation discipline rather than a bearish outlook [15] - The top 10 positions account for over 75% of disclosed assets, emphasizing Baupost's belief in concentration as a strategy against ignorance [16] - The portfolio prioritizes downside protection, with upside driven by business durability rather than macroeconomic bets [17]

Group 1 - GreensKeeper Asset Management's Value Fund achieved a +4.0% gain in Q3 2025, with a year-to-date return of +0.2% net of fees and expenses [1] - The US dollar negatively impacted performance by -3.7% year-to-date [1] - The market rally in 2025 was primarily driven by AI, cryptocurrency, and speculative investments [1] Group 2 - ICON Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:ICLR) was highlighted as a significant stock, with a one-month return of 14.89% and a 52-week loss of 10.74% [2] - As of December 16, 2025, ICON's stock closed at $182.45 per share, with a market capitalization of $14.19 billion [2] - ICON was the second top contributor to the fund's performance in Q3 2025, with a return of +20.3% [3] - The company was initially purchased due to concerns over tariff exposures and potential reductions in pharmaceutical R&D investment, but the market's reaction was deemed excessively punitive [3] - Despite uncertainties regarding ICON's 2025 earnings, the company's strong execution track record and its role in pharmaceutical R&D were expected to help it navigate challenging conditions [3]

Core Viewpoint - ICON Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:ICLR) is considered a cheap healthcare stock with potential for investment as it heads into 2026, maintaining a 'Market Perform' rating and a price target of $175 by BMO Capital [1][4]. Group 1: Company Performance and Outlook - The company is experiencing elevated cancellation rates, which are expected to persist in the upcoming quarters, although it is believed to have passed through its worst period [4]. - ICON is focusing on increasing investments in automation and agentic AI, which may enhance its operational efficiency [2]. - The company has a one-year median price target of $213.50, indicating an upside potential of nearly 15% from its current levels [5]. Group 2: Analyst Insights - BMO Capital initiated coverage on ICON on November 13, maintaining a 'Market Perform' rating and a price target of $175, reflecting a cautious but optimistic outlook [4]. - Analysts covering the stock generally have a 'Buy' or equivalent rating, suggesting a positive sentiment towards ICON's future performance [5].

Core Insights - Polen Capital's "Polen International Growth Strategy" reported a return of -4.23% gross and -4.53% net of fees in Q3 2025, underperforming the MSCI ACWI (ex-USA) which gained 6.89% [1] - The strategy's concentrated quality investing approach did not yield expected results during the quarter [1] Company Performance - ICON Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:ICLR) was highlighted as a top contributor to the portfolio's performance, with a one-month return of 11.43% despite a 15.68% decline over the past 52 weeks [2][3] - ICON's stock closed at $182.10 on December 08, 2025, with a market capitalization of $14.162 billion [2] - The company reported Q3 2025 revenue of $2.043 billion, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 0.6% [4] Investment Outlook - Polen Capital believes that ICON is positioned for recovery and steady, low double-digit EPS growth, viewing it as a best-in-class operator in its sector [3] - Despite ICON's potential, the analysis suggests that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential with less downside risk [4]

Core Insights - The biotech industry is showing resilience, particularly due to investment in APAC markets and shifts in R&D priorities, with China emerging as a significant player [2][3] - A strong majority of biotech leaders (92%) are optimistic about reaching their next investment milestones, and 75% plan to increase R&D spending in the next two years [3] - Funding challenges persist, with 41% of organizations actively seeking additional R&D funding, a 27% increase since 2023 [3] Global Biotech Trends - The global biotech survey included 163 respondents and indicates that cell therapy has become the most prominent modality, comprising 40% of pipelines, followed by antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) at 31% [5] - Neurology (44%), cardiovascular (39%), and immune disorders (32%) are now the leading therapeutic focus areas, surpassing oncology [5] - The complexity of drug development is the biggest operational risk, with 73% of respondents ranking it among their top five concerns [6] Digital Transformation - Biotech companies are increasingly adopting digital technologies, with 76% of respondents believing that AI and other technologies will significantly accelerate R&D processes in the next two years [7] - AI-enabled asset selection in drug discovery is seen as a key factor to accelerate drug development, with 41% of respondents highlighting its potential, up from 26% in 2023 [7] Chinese Biotech Market - A separate survey of 100 China-based biotechs revealed that they face similar challenges as their global counterparts, particularly in funding and drug development complexity [8] - Cardiovascular and oncology remain the primary therapeutic focus areas in China, contrasting with the global trend towards neurology [8] - Chinese respondents express less concern about geopolitical issues and show greater confidence in investment and product success [8]

Core Insights - The healthcare sector is highlighted as a promising investment opportunity heading into 2026, with many stocks remaining undervalued despite the sector's resilience and growth since the pandemic [1][2][3]. Group 1: Market Outlook - JPMorgan has upgraded the healthcare sector to a preferred investment area, citing easing policy overhang, clarity in earnings, and increased M&A activity as key factors for this positive outlook [2][3]. - The strategists believe that the healthcare sector is showing signs of stabilization and renewed momentum, positioning it favorably for 2026 and beyond [3]. Group 2: Stock Selection Methodology - The list of recommended cheap healthcare stocks is based on companies with a market capitalization exceeding $2 billion, covered by three or more analysts, and showing an upside potential of over 10% with a forward P/E ratio between 8 and 15 [5]. - The top 12 companies were ranked based on their highest upside potential, with additional data on hedge fund holdings included [5][6]. Group 3: Company Highlights - **ICON Public Limited Company (NASDAQ:ICLR)**: - Upside potential of 14.87% as of December 5, 2025, with a share price of $185.87 [8]. - Maintained a 'Market Perform' rating with a price target of $175, indicating ongoing discussions about executive changes and revenue trends [8][10]. - Analysts generally rate it as a 'Buy' with a median price target of $213.50, suggesting nearly 15% upside [11]. - **Lantheus Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:LNTH)**: - Upside potential of 18.48% as of December 5, 2025, with a share price of $63.30 [12]. - Almost 80% of analysts rate it as a 'Buy', with a median price target of $75, indicating strong growth potential [12]. - Recent financial performance showed mixed results, with revenue exceeding estimates but diluted EPS falling short, attributed to pricing pressures and competitive dynamics [15].

Core Insights - ICON plc, a leading clinical research organization, released results from a survey highlighting challenges faced by clinical trial sites during study startup [1] - The survey emphasizes the necessity for a site-centric and collaborative approach to address bottlenecks and improve trial activation timelines [1] Survey Details - The survey was conducted in June 2025 and included responses from over 100 principal investigators and senior clinical trial site personnel [1] - Findings indicate significant operational challenges that require strategic solutions to enhance efficiency in clinical trials [1]

Core Insights - ICON plc, a leading clinical research organization, released results from an industry survey highlighting challenges faced by clinical trial sites during study startup [1] - The survey emphasizes the necessity for a site-centric and collaborative approach to address bottlenecks and improve trial activation timelines [1] Survey Details - The survey was conducted in June 2025 and included responses from over 100 principal investigators and senior personnel at clinical trial sites [1] - Findings indicate that there are significant obstacles in the study startup process that need to be addressed to enhance efficiency [1]