Hua Er Jie Jian Wen·2025-05-20 08:22Core Viewpoint - The U.S. large biopharmaceutical sector is currently facing significant challenges, leading to a notable underperformance compared to the S&P 500 index, with a gap of approximately 15 percentage points since a key tariff announcement on April 2, 2025 [1][15]. Group 1: Challenges Facing the Biopharmaceutical Sector - The sector is under pressure from multiple factors, including high tariff barriers, drug price negotiation pressures, and an impending patent cliff, creating a murky outlook for the industry [1][2]. - Morgan Stanley analysts categorize these challenges as "overhangs," which are structural issues that have been exacerbated by recent policy changes [2]. Group 2: Tariff and Supply Chain Challenges - Specific tariff policies have been a direct trigger for the recent downturn in the sector, creating significant uncertainty in the market [3]. - Morgan Stanley believes that the impact of tariffs is largely "manageable," with companies able to respond through inventory management and accelerated product shipments [3][5]. - The expected tax rate for companies heavily reliant on U.S. production may rise from approximately 16-17% to 19-20%, similar to Gilead Sciences [3]. Group 3: Drug Price Negotiation Pressures - Drug pricing remains a persistent concern, with the "Most Favored Nation" (MFN) pricing policy posing potential risks, although its widespread implementation faces significant hurdles [6][7]. - The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is expected to have an incremental rather than disruptive impact on market expectations regarding drug pricing [8]. - Setser's testimony highlights the disparity in profit reporting between U.S. and overseas operations, with U.S. companies reporting minimal profits domestically while generating substantial profits abroad [9][12]. Group 4: Patent Expiration and Valuation - The upcoming patent expirations for key drugs between 2028 and 2030 are anticipated to suppress sector valuations, but this is viewed as a manageable "profit reset" rather than a crisis [13][14]. - Historical data suggests that the average earnings per share (EPS) erosion following patent expirations is around 15%, with a subsequent rebound often occurring [14]. Group 5: Current Valuation and Market Sentiment - The biopharmaceutical sector's valuation has dropped to a historical low, with a relative discount of 45-50% compared to the S&P 500 index [15][18]. - The sector has seen an overall decline of about 8% since the tariff announcement, while the S&P 500 has increased by approximately 5% [18][20]. Group 6: Potential Catalysts for Recovery - Clarity in policy execution regarding tariffs, MFN, and IRA could alleviate investor concerns and potentially lead to a recovery in the sector [23]. - Setser's recommendations for tax reforms aimed at reducing profit and production outflows could fundamentally alter the industry's profit and production landscape [24]. - The removal of unfavorable terms in the IRA, such as the "pill penalty," could serve as a significant positive catalyst for the sector [23][25].