Amgen vs Bristol Myers: Which Biotech Giant Has Better Prospects?

Core Viewpoint - Amgen and Bristol Myers Squibb are leading biotechnology companies with diverse portfolios, making it challenging to choose between them based on their fundamentals, growth prospects, challenges, and valuations [1][2]. Amgen (AMGN) - Amgen has a vast global footprint and a diverse portfolio, with growth products like Prolia, Xgeva, Evenity, Vectibix, Nplate, Kyprolis, and Blincyto stabilizing revenue despite declining sales from legacy drugs [3][4]. - Increased pricing pressures and competition from biosimilars are expected to negatively impact sales of Prolia and Xgeva starting in 2025 [4]. - Key drug Repatha is driving growth, and the approval of Tezspire for severe asthma has strengthened Amgen's portfolio [4][5]. - Amgen has promising candidates in its pipeline, including a broad phase III program on MariTide targeting obesity and type-II diabetes, with data readouts expected in the second half of 2025 [5]. - The acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics has expanded Amgen's rare disease business significantly [6]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Amgen's 2025 sales indicates a year-over-year increase of 5.31%, with EPS expected to improve by 4.79% [13]. - Amgen's shares have gained 6.2% this year, trading at 13X forward earnings, indicating a higher valuation compared to BMY [16][17]. Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY) - BMY's growth portfolio, including drugs like Reblozyl, Breyanzi, Camzyos, and Opdualag, has stabilized revenue amid generic competition for legacy drugs [7][8]. - Reblozyl has shown strong performance in the U.S. and international markets, expected to contribute significantly in the coming decade [7]. - Opdivo maintains momentum with consistent label expansions, and the recent FDA approval of Cobenfy for schizophrenia broadens BMY's portfolio [9][10]. - Despite newer drugs boosting sales, generic competition for legacy drugs has led to a 20% decline in legacy portfolio revenues in Q1 due to impacts from Revlimid and others [11]. - BMY's strategy of acquiring promising companies has resulted in substantial debt, with long-term debt at $46.1 billion as of March 31, 2025 [12]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BMY's 2025 sales implies a year-over-year decrease of 4.10%, while EPS suggests a significant increase of 499.13% [14]. - BMY's shares have lost 15.5% this year, trading at a lower valuation of 7.10 for forward earnings [16][17]. Comparison and Conclusion - Both companies offer attractive dividend yields, with BMY at 5.30% and AMGN at 3.49% [20]. - AMGN is viewed as a better pick currently due to solid fundamentals and recent positive estimate revisions, despite its higher valuation [23].