Core Insights - The article discusses the best long-term low volatility stocks to invest in, highlighting the importance of adapting to a changing economic landscape characterized by increased volatility and the emergence of new investment themes [1][3]. Group 1: Market Trends - Sherry Paul from Morgan Stanley emphasizes a shift from globalization to a "new world order," indicating a need for reimagining supply chains and partnerships, particularly in AI and automation manufacturing in the U.S. [2] - The current economic environment suggests increased volatility ahead, which is seen as a natural part of investing rather than a negative indicator [3]. Group 2: Investment Methodology - The selection of stocks is based on a methodology that identifies long-term stocks with stable fundamentals and a beta below 1, focusing on those with the highest number of hedge fund holders as of Q3 2025 [6]. - The rationale for focusing on hedge fund favorites is that imitating top stock picks can lead to market outperformance, as evidenced by a quarterly newsletter's significant returns since May 2014 [7]. Group 3: Company Highlights - **AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)**: - The company is enhancing its weight management portfolio through a collaboration with CSPC Pharmaceuticals, focusing on next-generation therapies for obesity and type 2 diabetes [9]. - AstraZeneca will gain exclusive global rights outside of China to CSPC's weight management portfolio, which includes a clinical-ready asset and several preclinical programs [10][11]. - **International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM)**: - The company received a price target increase from Argus to $360, driven by strong Q4 performance attributed to GenAI and hybrid cloud momentum [13]. - RBC Capital also raised its price target to $361, citing solid free cash flow performance and exposure to secular themes, particularly from the z17 mainframe refresh cycle [14].

Market Overview - The S&P 500 index briefly crossed 7000 points for the first time on January 28, 2026, rebounding nearly 40% since April 2025 lows, with five record closes noted by January 27, 2026 [1] - The Nasdaq Composite has seen modest gains in 2026, while the Russell 2000 has surged nearly 7% year-to-date as of January 29, 2026, outperforming large-cap peers for 14 consecutive trading sessions, the longest streak since 1996 [2] Valuation Concerns - The Shiller S&P 500 price-to-earnings ratio is currently at 41, the highest since the dot-com bubble, while the trailing P/E ratio is at 31.52, significantly above the historical average of 16.2 [3] - Bank of America's head of US equity strategy, Savita Subramanian, indicates that the S&P 500 is expensive, predicting it will reach 7,100 by year-end 2026, which is among the lowest forecasts on Wall Street [3] Investment Strategy - Goldman Sachs analysts predict that value stocks will remain favored if US economic momentum strengthens, noting that these stocks, with forward P/E ratios below 15, have outperformed higher-valuation stocks at the start of the year, achieving a 15% return in the last six months of 2025 [4] Stock Selection Methodology - The list of best cheap stocks for 2026 was created using screeners like TradingView and Finviz, focusing on US-listed stocks with forward P/E ratios between 3 and 15 and a positive upside potential of at least 20%, ranked by hedge fund holdings as of Q3 2025 [7][8] HNI Corporation - HNI Corporation (NYSE:HNI) is highlighted as a top cheap stock for 2026, with a forward P/E of 11.92 and an upside potential of 58.46% [9] - Benchmark Co. raised its price target for HNI to $75 per share from $60, citing a planned acquisition of Steelcase Inc. valued at approximately $2.2 billion, expected to yield annual cost synergies of about $120 million [10] - HNI's shares are priced below historical values, with a P/E ratio of 13.35, and the company has a history of consistent dividend payments over 55 years [11] Sanofi SA - Sanofi SA (NASDAQ:SNY) is also listed as a cheap stock for 2026, with a forward P/E of 9.02 and an upside potential of 25.11% [15] - Citi Research initiated coverage on Sanofi with a Neutral rating and an €85 price target, expressing concerns over pipeline setbacks affecting long-term growth [16] - Sanofi's current valuation reflects these setbacks, with analysts noting that the market is unlikely to reward the stock with a higher multiple without evidence of pipeline improvement [17] - Positive results were reported for Sanofi's experimental medicine amlitelimab in Phase 3 clinical studies for atopic dermatitis, indicating potential for future growth [18]

Core Insights - AstraZeneca is set to list on the New York Stock Exchange, aiming to strengthen its investment presence in the U.S., its largest market [1][10] - The company is making significant investments in China, including a $15 billion commitment through 2030, to enhance manufacturing and R&D capabilities [4][10] - AstraZeneca's strategy reflects a broader trend in the pharma industry, where companies are increasingly looking to China for innovation as patents on blockbuster drugs expire [2][3] Investment and Partnerships - AstraZeneca's investment in China will cover the entire value chain from drug discovery to manufacturing, highlighting its commitment to Chinese innovation [5] - The company has partnered with Hong Kong-listed CSPC Pharmaceuticals to bolster its obesity portfolio, involving an upfront payment of $1.2 billion and potential additional payments of $17.3 billion based on milestones [6][7] - This partnership is part of a growing trend of licensing deals between Big Pharma and Chinese biotechs, with 57 such deals reported in 2025 [14] Market Dynamics - The U.S. market presents pricing challenges that are pressuring Big Pharma, making the Chinese market increasingly important for revenue and research [2][3][10] - AstraZeneca's commitment to China is underscored by its recent actions, despite facing regulatory scrutiny in the past [12][13] - The Chinese biopharma sector is evolving rapidly, with a focus on next-generation therapeutics and efficient clinical trial processes, positioning it as a potential leader in biotechnology [15][16]

Core Viewpoint - The agreement to acquire rights outside of China for a portfolio of experimental obesity and diabetes drugs has a potential valuation in the billions of dollars [1] Group 1 - The deal involves rights to a portfolio of drugs targeting obesity and diabetes [1] - The valuation of the agreement could reach billions, indicating significant market potential [1]

Group 1 - Countries that previously avoided engagement with China during its trade dispute with the U.S. are now sending leaders to Beijing for meetings and business deals [1][2] - At least five national leaders, including those from the UK and Canada, have visited Xi Jinping in January, marking significant diplomatic activity [2] - The visits from Canadian and British leaders are the first in at least eight years, indicating a shift in diplomatic relations following the reopening of China's borders in early 2023 [3] Group 2 - The recent diplomatic visits are seen as managed resets rather than a strategic pivot towards China, reflecting rising uncertainty in U.S. policy [3][4] - Keeping communication channels open with China is increasingly viewed as preferable to disengagement, especially as the benefits of selective resets become more apparent [4] - China aims to position itself as a partner for developing countries and a stabilizing force globally, leveraging the current geopolitical climate [5]

Core Viewpoint - CSPC Pharmaceutical Group has entered into an agreement with UK drugmaker AstraZeneca to develop innovative long-acting peptide medicines targeting obesity and weight-related conditions [1] Company Summary - CSPC Pharmaceutical Group is collaborating with AstraZeneca, indicating a strategic move towards addressing the growing market for obesity treatments [1] - The partnership focuses on the development of innovative long-acting peptide medicines, which may enhance treatment options for patients suffering from obesity and related health issues [1] Industry Summary - The agreement highlights the increasing emphasis on innovative therapies in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the area of obesity management [1] - The collaboration reflects a broader trend in the industry towards partnerships aimed at leveraging expertise and resources to tackle significant health challenges [1]

Core Viewpoint - AstraZeneca plans to invest $15 billion in China by 2030 to enhance its medicines manufacturing and research and development capabilities [1] Company Investment - The investment is aimed at expanding AstraZeneca's operations in China, focusing on both manufacturing and R&D [1] Timeline - The investment will be made over the course of the next seven years, concluding in 2030 [1]

Charlottesville, VA, Jan. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The University of Virginia (UVA) today announced the signing of a Master Research Collaboration Agreement with AstraZeneca designed to expedite pre-clinical research partnerships between the global biopharmaceutical company and UVA’s schools and departments. The agreement streamlines processes and enables AstraZeneca’s research and development teams to work more effectively and efficiently across UVA’s breadth of scientific expertise, infrastructure and ...

Group 1: Business Participation - Nearly 60 British businesses and cultural organizations are accompanying U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on his trip to China, marking the first state visit in eight years [1] - The delegation includes leaders from the financial industry, such as HSBC Group Chairman Brendan Nelson and Aberdeen Group CEO Jason Windsor [2] - Executives from major companies in the aerospace and pharmaceutical sectors are also part of the group, including Airbus's general counsel John Harrison and AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot [2] Group 2: Context of the Visit - The visit occurs amid a series of foreign leaders visiting Beijing, highlighting China's diplomatic engagements amidst escalating tensions with the U.S. and disputes involving trading partners [3] - Recent visits by other foreign leaders, including Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ireland's Prime Minister Michael Martin, indicate China's active diplomatic efforts [3]

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. © 2026 Table of Contents December 31, 2025 | COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS | Page | | Page | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Alexandria's Mission and Cluster Model | iii | | | CONFERENCE CALL | | | | | | INFORMATION: | | EARNINGS PRESS RELEASE | | | | Tuesday, January 27, 2026 | | Fourth Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2025 Financial and | | | | 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time | | Operating Results | 1 | Consolidated Statements of Operations | 8 | 11:00 a.m. Pa ...