Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ:JAZZ) ranks among the stocks with low beta that can beat market volatility. On September 23, Morgan Stanley reaffirmed its Overweight rating on Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ:JAZZ) and raised its price target from $163 to $167. The adjustment came after Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ:JAZZ) revealed findings from the Xywav Phase 4 DUET open-label research at World Sleep Singapore through many poster presentations. The study’s findings indicate that oxybates, the family ...

Core Insights - JAZZ Pharmaceuticals is a unique player in the cannabis sector, focusing on an FDA-approved drug, Epidiolex, rather than traditional cannabis cultivation or sales [1][2] - Epidiolex has become a significant growth driver for JAZZ, contributing over 25% of total product sales and showing a 5% year-over-year increase in sales [3][4] - The global medical cannabis market is projected to exceed $130 billion by 2032, providing JAZZ with a competitive advantage as one of the few established pharmaceutical firms with an FDA-approved cannabis product [5] Company Overview - JAZZ Pharmaceuticals has diversified its portfolio beyond cannabis, maintaining strong positions in neuroscience and oncology [6] - The company's neuroscience segment benefits from the oxybate franchise, particularly Xywav, which is a low-sodium treatment for narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia [7] - JAZZ's oncology portfolio, including drugs like Defitelio and Vyxeos, contributed nearly 28% of product sales in the first half of 2025 [8] Recent Developments - The acquisition of Chimerix for $935 million added Modeyso, an FDA-approved drug for glioma patients, enhancing JAZZ's oncology offerings [9] - Despite setbacks in pipeline development, including the discontinuation of suvecaltamide and underwhelming results for JPZ150, JAZZ continues to explore options for its drug pipeline [10][11] Financial Performance - JAZZ's stock has increased by 5% year-to-date, outperforming the industry average of 4% [12] - EPS estimates for 2025 and 2026 have shown an upward trend, contrasting with declines in estimates for pure-play cannabis companies [13] Market Position - JAZZ Pharmaceuticals is positioned as a balanced biopharma investment, offering exposure to both neuroscience and oncology, with Epidiolex providing a unique entry into the cannabis therapeutics market [16][17]

Core Insights - Jazz Pharmaceuticals reported a second-quarter 2025 adjusted loss of $8.25 per share, which was wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $6.12, primarily due to a one-time charge from the acquisition of Chimerix that impacted earnings by $14.75 per share [1][10] Financial Performance - Total revenues increased by 2% year over year to $1.05 billion, aligning with the Zacks Consensus Estimate [2] - Net product sales rose 2% year over year to $986 million, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $999 million and the model estimate of $1 billion [3] - Royalty revenues from high-sodium oxybate authorized generic remained flat year over year at $54 million, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $49 million and the model estimate of $43 million [3] - Other royalties and contract revenues increased by 9% year over year to $6 million [4] Neuroscience Segment - Sales of neuroscience products grew by 3% year over year to $707 million [5] - Combined net product sales for the oxybate business (Xyrem + Xywav) rose about 5% to $451 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $440 million [5] - Xywav sales reached $415 million, up 13%, attributed to strong uptake in narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia indications [6] - Sales of the epilepsy drug Epidiolex/Epidyolex increased by 2% to nearly $252 million, but fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $271 million [7] Oncology Segment - Oncology product sales decreased by 1% to $274 million [8] - Rylaze/Enrylaze sales were $101 million, down 7% year over year, missing both the Zacks Consensus Estimate and model estimates [9] - Zepzelca sales were $75 million, down 8% year over year, due to increased competition and treatment protocol updates [11] Operating Costs - Adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses rose by 2% year over year to $310 million [13] - Adjusted research and development expenses decreased by 18% to $167 million [13] Guidance and Market Reaction - The company lowered its 2025 revenue guidance to $4.15-$4.30 billion, reflecting a $100 million cut at the upper end [10][14] - Adjusted earnings per share outlook was raised to $4.80-$5.60, up from the previous range of $4.00-$5.60 [10][18] - Shares of Jazz fell more than 7% in after-market trading following the earnings guidance and wider-than-expected loss [15]

Core Viewpoint - Jazz Pharmaceuticals reported disappointing first-quarter 2025 earnings, significantly missing consensus estimates due to increased operating expenses and a decline in revenues, leading to a drop in share price [1][2][4]. Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings for Q1 2025 were $1.68 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.51, representing a 36% year-over-year decline [1]. - Total revenues decreased by 0.5% year over year to $897.8 million, also falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $981 million [2]. - Net product sales remained flat at $839.4 million, missing both the Zacks Consensus Estimate and internal estimates [4]. Segment Performance - Neuroscience segment sales increased by 4% to $605.2 million, with combined oxybate sales (Xyrem + Xywav) rising about 1% to $382 million, but still missing estimates [6][7]. - Sales of Xyrem plummeted 42% year over year to $37.2 million due to patient transitions to Xywav and the introduction of authorized generics [6]. - Xywav sales reached $344.8 million, up 9% year over year, driven by strong uptake in narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia indications [7]. - Oncology segment sales fell by 11% to $229.4 million, with specific drugs like Rylaze and Zepzelca experiencing significant declines due to competitive pressures and protocol updates [9][10][11]. Operating Costs - Adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses surged by 52% year over year to $472.3 million, primarily due to antitrust litigation settlements [13]. - Adjusted research and development expenses decreased by 22% to $220.9 million, attributed to lower clinical program costs [13]. Guidance and Outlook - Jazz Pharmaceuticals maintained its total sales guidance for 2025, projecting revenues between $4.15 billion and $4.40 billion, indicating a 5% year-over-year growth at the midpoint [15]. - Adjusted SG&A expenses are now expected to be between $1.47 billion and $1.53 billion, while adjusted R&D expenses are forecasted to be between $760 million and $810 million [16]. - The company revised its adjusted earnings guidance down to a range of $4.00 to $5.60 per share, significantly lower than previous estimates [16].

Core Viewpoint - Jazz Pharmaceuticals is expected to report first-quarter 2025 earnings on May 6, with sales estimated at $978.6 million and earnings at $4.61 per share, reflecting a positive trend in earnings estimates for 2025 [1][3]. Financial Performance - Jazz Pharmaceuticals has exceeded earnings expectations in three of the last four quarters, with a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 3.20% and a notable earnings surprise of 13.99% in the last quarter [3]. - The company currently has an Earnings ESP of -2.75% and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [5]. Revenue Segments - The company reports financial figures under two segments: Neuroscience and Oncology. The consensus estimate for neuroscience product sales is $649 million, while the estimate for oncology sales is $269 million [7][10]. - Sales of the sleep disorder drug Xywav are projected at $372 million, with expectations of continued growth due to its uptake in narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia [8]. - Epidiolex sales are expected to rise to $234 million, driven by geographic expansion, while sales of the legacy drug Xyrem are anticipated to decline [9]. Oncology Performance - Sales of the chemotherapy drug Rylaze are expected to be impacted by recent updates to treatment protocols, with estimates pegged at $103 million [11]. - Other oncology drugs, including Zepzelca, Vyxeos, and Defitelio, are expected to grow at a mid-single-digit percentage during the quarter [11]. Stock Performance and Valuation - Jazz Pharmaceuticals' shares have declined about 6% year-to-date, compared to a 4% decline in the industry, and are currently trading below their 50-day and 200-day moving averages [13]. - The stock is trading at a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 1.76, lower than the industry average of 1.97 and below its five-year mean of 2.70, indicating a valuation discount [16]. Investment Thesis - The company has a diversified portfolio in neuroscience and oncology, although pipeline setbacks, such as the discontinuation of suvecaltamide development, pose concerns [18]. - Strategic acquisitions have bolstered the pipeline, with five oncology products marketed and an FDA decision on a sixth product expected by August 18 [19][20]. - Despite challenges, the rising EPS estimates for 2025 and a robust cash reserve of $3.0 billion at the end of 2024 provide reasons to remain invested in Jazz Pharmaceuticals [21].