Analyst's Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of PFE either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any in ...

If you're a dividend investor, now can be an ideal time to go bargain-hunting. The stock market is in the midst of a broad sell-off, with investors dumping all types of stocks, both bad ones and good ones. Fear has taken over, and while it may seem like a terrible time to buy, it may actually be a great one, especially if you're looking for stocks to buy and hold for the long haul. Three dividend stocks that are near their 52-week lows and which may make for solid income-generating investments are Pfizer (P ...

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of value investing as a strategy to identify strong stocks, particularly highlighting Pfizer (PFE) as a notable investment opportunity due to its favorable valuation metrics [2][8]. Company Analysis - Pfizer (PFE) currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and an "A" grade for Value, indicating it is a strong candidate for value investors [4]. - The stock is trading at a P/E ratio of 7.71, significantly lower than the industry average of 14.81, suggesting it may be undervalued [4]. - PFE has a PEG ratio of 0.56, compared to the industry average of 1.14, indicating that its price is low relative to its expected earnings growth [5]. - The P/S ratio for PFE is 2.02, while the industry average is 3.65, further supporting the notion of undervaluation [6]. - PFE's P/CF ratio stands at 8.71, compared to the industry average of 22.72, highlighting its strong cash flow position [7]. - Overall, the metrics suggest that Pfizer is likely undervalued and stands out as one of the strongest value stocks in the market [8].

Core Viewpoint - The narrative surrounding Pfizer is currently negative, but this presents an interesting investment opportunity as the stock price has significantly declined from its peak during the COVID-19 pandemic [1][2]. Financial Performance - Pfizer's stock has decreased over 63% from its peak in 2022, following a sell-off in the market [1]. - The dividend yield has increased to 7.5%, providing a substantial annual return for investors as long as the dividend is maintained [4]. - Pfizer's price-to-earnings ratio is currently less than 8 times the 2025 earnings estimates, indicating a low valuation [5]. Dividend Sustainability - The high dividend yield is more a reflection of negative market sentiment rather than a sign of unsustainable business fundamentals [6][7]. - Pfizer's management recently raised the quarterly dividend, and the annual payout of $1.72 per share represents only 61% of the lower end of the 2025 earnings guidance [7]. Growth Potential - Pfizer's pipeline includes promising drugs, such as danuglipron for diabetes, which could tap into a market projected to exceed $150 billion by 2030 [11]. - The company has made strategic acquisitions, such as Seagen for $43 billion, to bolster its oncology business [11]. - Despite potential declines in sales due to patent expirations for key products, Pfizer's pipeline and acquisitions position it for future growth [10][11]. Market Outlook - Analysts have varying long-term earnings growth expectations for Pfizer, ranging from 2.5% to over 13.8% [12]. - Even with minimal growth, the stock could still deliver 10% annualized total returns due to the dividend, with potential for higher returns if growth exceeds expectations [13].

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - **Industry**: Biopharma in North America - **Market Analysis**: The latest weekly Total Prescription (TRx) year-over-year (YoY) growth for the week ending March 28, 2025, was +2.1%, a decrease from +2.5% the previous week and +3.1% over the past 12 weeks [1][2] Core Insights - **TRx Growth**: For the week ended March 28, the US total market weekly TRx YoY change was +2.1%, compared to +0.4% a year ago. The rolling 4-week TRx YoY was +2.9%, and the rolling 12-week TRx YoY was +3.1% [2] - **Extended Unit Growth**: Extended unit (EUTRx) weekly YoY growth was +0.7%, which is below the TRx YoY growth [2] - **Sequential Growth**: Sequential weekly TRx growth was -1.8%, compared to -1.5% the week before [2] Company-Specific Developments - **Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY)**: - Cobenfy, approved for schizophrenia on September 26, 2024, had approximately 1,570 scripts for the week, up from ~1,440 the previous week. To meet 2025 consensus expectations, Cobenfy TRx needs to track at ~2-3 times the volumes from recent schizophrenia launches [3] - The consensus estimate for Cobenfy has declined to $160 million from $196 million, implying ~125K TRx are required to meet this estimate [3] - **Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)**: - Journavx, approved for acute pain on January 30, 2025, recorded approximately 2,230 scripts for the week, up from ~1,760 the previous week. To achieve the 2025 sales estimate of $87 million, approximately 229K and 441K total scripts are needed for 14-day and 7-day script durations, respectively [4] Competitive Landscape - **Biosimilars**: The TRx share chart for Stelara biosimilars was added, with Amgen's Wezlana launched on January 17, 2025, and Teva/Alvotech's Selarsdi launched on February 21, 2025 [5] - **Launch Comparisons**: A comparison chart for Descovy vs. Apretude was added, with anticipation for FDA approval of GILD's Lenacapavir [8] Seasonal Trends - **Vaccine Tracking**: Seasonal respiratory vaccine tracking exhibits were added, noting that RSV vaccine volumes are tracking ~65% below last year's levels, and COVID vaccine volumes are also down year-over-year [9] Notable Drug Performance - **Key Products**: - Mounjaro and Zepbound from Eli Lilly are being tracked, with Mounjaro showing significant growth [10] - The oral psoriasis market is being monitored, particularly BMY's Sotyktu launch against AMGN's Otezla [10] Pricing and Market Dynamics - **Immunology Pricing Analysis**: Updated charts for 4Q24 show how volume from additional indications impacts price per script for various drugs [11] - **Biosimilar Adoption**: Comprehensive analysis of biosimilar adoption across various branded drugs was presented [12] Additional Insights - **Market Trends**: The IQVIA databases differentiate between prescription and sales trends, with TRx representing total prescriptions dispensed, including refills [27] - **Sales Dynamics**: The report emphasizes that IQVIA sales dollars reflect list prices and do not account for rebates or discounts, indicating a need for careful interpretation of sales data [43] This summary encapsulates the key points from the conference call, highlighting industry trends, company-specific developments, and competitive dynamics within the biopharma sector.

Core Viewpoint - Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and Pfizer (PFE) are two leading pharmaceutical companies with diverse healthcare portfolios, each facing unique growth prospects and challenges in the current market environment [1][2]. Group 1: Johnson & Johnson (J&J) - J&J's diversified business model, operating through over 275 subsidiaries, allows it to better withstand economic cycles [3]. - The Innovative Medicine unit reported a 5.8% organic sales growth in 2024, with expectations for continued growth in 2025 despite challenges such as the loss of exclusivity for Stelara, which generated $10.36 billion in sales in 2024 [4][7]. - J&J is actively enhancing its pipeline through acquisitions and has made significant progress in this area [5]. - The MedTech business is experiencing headwinds, particularly in China, due to the volume-based procurement program and anti-corruption campaigns, with no expected improvement in 2025 [6]. - J&J is facing over 62,000 lawsuits related to its talc-based products, with a recent bankruptcy court ruling rejecting its proposed settlement plan [8]. - As of the end of 2024, J&J had cash and cash equivalents of $24.5 billion against long-term debt of $30.65 billion, resulting in a debt-to-capital ratio of 0.3, lower than the industry average of 0.41 [9]. Group 2: Pfizer (PFE) - Pfizer is a major player in oncology, bolstered by the acquisition of Seagen in 2023, and is transitioning from a period of revenue volatility due to COVID-related uncertainties [10]. - Non-COVID product revenues increased by 12% operationally in 2024, surpassing the guidance range of 9-11% [11]. - Pfizer anticipates continued growth in its diversified drug portfolio, particularly in oncology, and expects to achieve cost savings of at least $6.0 billion through restructuring [12]. - The company faces challenges, including declining sales of COVID-19 products and anticipated patent expirations from 2026 to 2030, which may impact key products [13]. - As of December 31, 2024, Pfizer had cash and cash equivalents of $20.48 billion and long-term debt of $57.4 billion, resulting in a debt-to-capital ratio of 0.42, in line with the industry average [14]. Group 3: Financial Estimates and Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for J&J's 2025 sales and EPS indicates a year-over-year increase of 1.4% and 6.0%, respectively, with stable EPS estimates of $10.58 for 2025 and $11.07 for 2026 [15]. - In contrast, Pfizer's 2025 sales and EPS estimates imply a year-over-year decline of 0.7% and 4.5%, respectively, although EPS estimates have been trending upward [17]. - Year-to-date, J&J's stock has risen by 8.3%, while Pfizer's stock has declined by 5.4%, compared to the industry's increase of 1.6% [20]. - From a valuation perspective, Pfizer's shares trade at a forward P/E ratio of 8.30, significantly lower than the industry average of 15.78, while J&J's shares trade at 14.51 [22][23]. - J&J offers a dividend yield of 3.2%, while Pfizer's yield is around 7%, with J&J's return on equity at 34.2%, higher than Pfizer's 19.6% [24]. Group 4: Investment Considerations - Both companies hold a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating a challenging decision for investors [25]. - J&J has demonstrated steady revenue and EPS growth, but concerns exist regarding its MedTech unit and ongoing legal issues [26]. - Pfizer, with improving growth prospects, rising estimates, and a higher dividend yield, may present a more attractive option for near-term investors seeking growth in the drug/biotech sector [27].

Core Insights - Pfizer and Moderna were the two leading companies in developing effective coronavirus vaccines, achieving significant financial success during the pandemic [1] - Both companies have experienced a substantial decline in revenue and share prices as the pandemic has receded, raising questions about their future performance [2] Pfizer - Pfizer has made strategic moves, including the approval of new medicines and vaccines, and a significant acquisition of Seagen for $43 billion, enhancing its oncology pipeline [3] - In 2024, Pfizer reported a revenue of $63.6 billion, a 7% increase from the previous year, with adjusted earnings per share of $3.11, reflecting a 69% year-over-year growth [4] - The company continues to generate sales from its COVID-19 products, Comirnaty and Paxlovid, which contributed approximately $11.1 billion in sales in 2024 [4] - Pfizer is expected to navigate upcoming patent cliffs successfully, supported by its ongoing product approvals and a strong dividend yield of 6.8%, with a 53.6% increase in payouts over the past decade [5][6] Moderna - Moderna's total revenue in 2024 fell nearly 53% year-over-year to $3.2 billion, with a net loss per share of $9.28, although this was an improvement from the previous year's loss [7] - The company has received approval for an RSV vaccine and is awaiting further label expansions, indicating potential growth opportunities [8] - Moderna's combination COVID/influenza vaccine showed promising results in a phase 3 study, and the company is pursuing multiple late-stage studies for innovative products, including a personalized cancer vaccine [9][10] - The mRNA platform has demonstrated success, and if Moderna continues to achieve positive clinical results and regulatory approvals, its financial performance may improve [10] Comparative Analysis - Pfizer is characterized as a well-established pharmaceutical giant with consistent revenue from a diverse product portfolio, while Moderna is a smaller biotech company with fewer profitable products [11] - Pfizer outperforms Moderna in key financial metrics such as total sales, profits, and free cash flow, and it also offers dividends, making it attractive for income-seeking investors [12] - While Pfizer is viewed as the better investment option for most investors, Moderna may present higher upside potential for those willing to accept greater risk and volatility [13]

Group 1: Pfizer - Pfizer's stock has significantly declined, trading lower than five years ago, with an 18% decrease over that period [3] - The stock is currently trading at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of less than 9, indicating a substantial discount [4] - The company faces upcoming patent expirations that could result in an $18 billion revenue loss, prompting acquisitions to bolster growth [5] - Pfizer anticipates revenue in the range of $61 billion to $64 billion for the current year, similar to last year's $63.6 billion [6] - Despite risks, the current stock price presents a compelling buying opportunity due to its potential upside [7] Group 2: Comcast - Comcast's stock is also trading at a forward P/E of 9, reflecting a significant discount, while the company reported $123.7 billion in revenue last year, a nearly 2% increase [8] - The company plans to spin off some cable networks, which is expected to generate around $7 billion in annual sales, potentially improving resource utilization and profitability [9] - The upcoming launch of the Universal Epic Universe theme park in Florida could serve as a long-term growth catalyst, despite current economic uncertainties [10] - Comcast has strong fundamentals and potential catalysts that may enhance future profitability, making it an attractive option for long-term investors [11][12]

Company Performance - Pfizer's stock closed at $24.70, reflecting a +0.65% change, which lagged behind the S&P 500's gain of 0.67% [1] - Over the past month, Pfizer's shares have decreased by 4.7%, compared to the Medical sector's loss of 5.32% and the S&P 500's loss of 5.28% [1] Upcoming Earnings - Pfizer's earnings report is scheduled for April 29, 2025, with projected EPS of $0.68, indicating a 17.07% decline from the same quarter last year [2] - The consensus estimate for quarterly revenue is $13.99 billion, down 5.97% year-over-year [2] Full-Year Estimates - Full-year earnings estimates for Pfizer are $2.97 per share and revenue of $63.2 billion, representing year-over-year changes of -4.5% and -0.67%, respectively [3] - Recent revisions to analyst forecasts are crucial as they reflect short-term business trends, with positive revisions indicating a favorable business outlook [3] Valuation Metrics - Pfizer has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and a Forward P/E ratio of 8.26, which is below the industry's average Forward P/E of 13.71 [5] - The PEG ratio for Pfizer is currently 0.6, compared to the Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry's average PEG ratio of 1.31 [6] Industry Context - The Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry is part of the Medical sector and holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 67, placing it in the top 27% of over 250 industries [6] - The Zacks Industry Rank indicates that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [7]

Group 1 - Pharmaceutical stocks declined due to uncertainty surrounding proposed tariffs on imported pharmaceutical products, with a potential tariff of 25% expected to be implemented from April 2 [1][2] - Companies heavily reliant on overseas manufacturing, such as Pfizer (PFE), Merck (MRK), Eli Lilly (LLY), and AbbVie (ABBV), experienced significant stock declines of 3.2%, 2.9%, 2.5%, and 1.6% respectively [2] - Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) saw a notable drop of 7.6% after a Texas district court rejected its bankruptcy plan related to talc lawsuits [2] Group 2 - Drugmakers are increasing investments in U.S. manufacturing to counteract the shift to lower-cost markets abroad [3] - Johnson & Johnson announced plans to invest over $55 billion in the U.S. over the next four years, while Eli Lilly plans to invest $27 billion in new manufacturing sites by 2025, totaling over $50 billion in commitments since 2020 [4] - Pfizer is also considering moving some overseas manufacturing back to the U.S. in light of tariff threats [4] Group 3 - The cost of drug production in the U.S. is high, which may lead to increased drug prices for consumers and affect profit margins for drugmakers, particularly those producing generic and biosimilar products [5] - Some countries exporting drugs or active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to the U.S. may withdraw from the market, potentially causing supply shortages and disrupting the global supply chain [5] Group 4 - Biotech stocks are under pressure following the resignation of a key FDA official, Dr. Peter Marks, amid concerns regarding potential tariffs on pharmaceutical imports [6] - Companies like PFE, MRK, ABBV, LLY, and JNJ currently hold a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [7]