Is Bristol Myers Squibb a Buy, Sell, or Hold in 2026?

Core Insights - Bristol Myers Squibb has faced significant challenges over the past five years, including the loss of patent exclusivity for key products like Revlimid, leading to poor financial results and stock performance [1] - The company is expected to encounter additional patent cliffs for Eliquis and Opdivo by the end of the decade, which could further impact its revenue [2] Financial Performance - For the first nine months of 2025, Eliquis generated $11 billion in sales, an 8% year-over-year increase, while Opdivo's revenue rose by 8% to $7.4 billion, contributing to a combined total of $18.4 billion, which represents over half of Bristol Myers Squibb's total revenue of $35.7 billion [3] - Despite the growth in sales for Eliquis and Opdivo, the overall revenue for Bristol Myers Squibb declined by 1% compared to the previous year, indicating a concerning trend [4] Strategic Initiatives - Bristol Myers Squibb has introduced a new subcutaneous version of Opdivo, named Opdivo Qvantig, which offers greater convenience and flexibility for patients and healthcare providers, potentially mitigating losses from the original formulation once it loses patent protection [5][6] - The new formulation is designed to maintain comparable efficacy while being faster to administer, which could help sustain the Opdivo franchise in the face of upcoming patent expirations [6] Overall Outlook - The company’s financial results have been underwhelming in recent years due to patent cliffs, but new product launches, pipeline developments, and a dividend program may still present attractive investment opportunities [7]