Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) is one of Billionaire Ken Fisher’s 15 Most Notable Moves for 2026. Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) is also a staple in the 13F portfolio of Fisher Asset Management. The fund has held a small position in the company since early 2010. This position remained relatively stable through the decade and half since 2010. However, at the end of 2024 and in 2025, the fund has aggressively upped this stake. In the third and fourth quarter of 2025, the position has more than doubled compared to filin ...

Core Viewpoint - Large-cap biotech stocks are considered resilient to disruption risks typically faced by tech companies, primarily due to their long drug approval processes and established product portfolios [1][2] Group 1: Biotech Sector Resilience - Companies like Amgen and AbbVie are highlighted for their ability to navigate revenue erosion through broad product portfolios and multi-year pipeline replacements [1] - The FDA approval process, which can take a decade, provides a structural time buffer that protects biotech firms from rapid obsolescence [1] - Year-to-date performance shows Amgen up 16% and Gilead up 21% in 2026, significantly outperforming the iShares Biotechnology ETF, which is up approximately 3% [1] Group 2: Disruption Mechanisms - While biotech firms are insulated from AI-driven disruption, they face challenges such as patent cliffs, biosimilar competition, and government drug pricing reforms [1] - AbbVie’s Humira lost exclusivity, leading to a revenue drop of about 50% in two years, highlighting the risks associated with patent cliffs [1] - Amgen's revenue from Enbrel fell 48% in Q4 2025 due to biosimilar competition and Medicare redesign, indicating structural revenue erosion [1] Group 3: Company-Specific Insights - Gilead's ASCENT-07 trial for Trodelvy missed its primary endpoint, demonstrating how clinical trial failures can significantly impact pipeline value [2] - Eli Lilly's stock has appreciated approximately 416% over five years, driven by the success of its GLP-1 products, but it is down 6% year-to-date in 2026 [2] - Biogen's revenue is expected to decline mid-single digits in 2026, with its MS franchise down 14% in Q4 2025, reflecting a different risk profile compared to other biotech firms [2] Group 4: Evaluating Biotech Stocks - Investors should assess biotech stocks based on three questions: the percentage of revenue from products with patent protection beyond five years, the presence of at least two Phase 3 pipeline products, and the strength of the balance sheet to support pipeline investments [2] - Amgen's CEO expressed confidence in the company's broad portfolio and innovative therapies, indicating a path for sustained long-term growth [2] - Understanding the specific types of disruption, such as patent cliffs and pricing reform, is crucial for investors to navigate volatility in the biotech sector [2]

Core Insights - Jefferies initiated coverage on Gilead Sciences with a Buy rating and a price target of $180, while assigning a Hold rating to Amgen with a target of $350, reflecting differing views on their respective valuations and growth potential [1][2] - JPMorgan maintained an Overweight rating on Oric Pharmaceuticals, emphasizing the unjustified nature of its recent stock pullback due to competitor news [1] Gilead Sciences (GILD) - Jefferies views Gilead as well-positioned due to a clean intellectual property runway until 2036, high operating margins, and the ability to invest in its pipeline while returning capital to shareholders [1] - Gilead reported Q4 2025 revenue of $7.93 billion, exceeding the consensus estimate of $7.85 billion, with a full-year revenue of $29.4 billion, up 2% year-over-year [1] - The company's flagship HIV therapy, Biktarvy, generated $3.97 billion in Q4, while Descovy surged 33% to $819 million [1] Amgen Inc. (AMGN) - Jefferies acknowledged Amgen's strong execution but concluded that a 35% stock run-up has left limited near-term upside, with the stock currently trading above the $350 target [1][2] - Amgen's Q4 revenue was $9.87 billion, surpassing the estimate of $9.66 billion, with a notable growth in Repatha at +44% to $870 million, while Enbrel saw a decline of 48% to $532 million [1] Oric Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ORIC) - JPMorgan's reaffirmation of Oric's Overweight rating comes after a 16.07% drop in shares due to competitor news, which the firm believes does not reflect the fundamentals of Oric's pipeline [1] - Oric's lead asset, rinzimetostat, has shown a 55% PSA50 response rate in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, with a Phase 3 trial initiation expected in H1 2026 [1] - The company holds $392.3 million in cash, projecting a funding runway into the second half of 2028, with shares up 42.42% year-to-date despite recent pullbacks [1]

Core Insights - Jefferies has initiated coverage on Gilead Sciences with a Buy rating and a $180 price target, while assigning a Hold rating to Amgen with a $350 price target, indicating a nuanced view on the biopharma sector [3][5][10] Gilead Sciences - Gilead is positioned as one of the best large-cap biotechs, benefiting from a clean intellectual-property runway until 2036, high operating margins, and overlapping franchises [2][4] - Q4 2025 revenue was $7.93 billion, exceeding the consensus estimate of $7.85 billion, with a full-year revenue of $29.4 billion, reflecting a 2% year-over-year increase [7] - Non-GAAP EPS for Q4 was $1.86, slightly above the estimate of $1.85, and full-year non-GAAP EPS rose significantly to $8.15 from $4.62 in 2024 [7] - The HIV therapy Biktarvy generated $3.97 billion in Q4, up 5%, while Descovy surged 33% to $819 million, with the newly launched Yeztugo expected to be a commercial catalyst [7] - Gilead's stock is currently trading at $146.63, up 19.46% year-to-date, with a forward P/E of 16x reflecting guidance of non-GAAP EPS of $8.45 to $8.85 in 2026 [5][11] Amgen Inc. - Amgen reported Q4 revenue of $9.87 billion, surpassing the estimate of $9.66 billion, with non-GAAP EPS of $5.29, well above the $4.83 estimate [8] - The growth driver was Repatha, which increased by 44% to $870 million, while Enbrel saw a significant decline of 48% to $532 million [8] - Amgen shares are currently trading at $376.97, reflecting a 15.96% year-to-date increase, but are above Jefferies' $350 target, indicating limited near-term upside [5][12] Oric Pharmaceuticals - Oric is a clinical-stage oncology company with no product revenue, but its lead asset, rinzimetostat, has shown a 55% PSA50 response rate in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer [9] - The company holds $392.3 million in cash, providing a funding runway into the second half of 2028, despite a recent 16.07% drop in shares due to competitor news [6][9] - The consensus analyst target for Oric is $21.23, while its current price is $11.65, indicating potential upside [9] Analyst Perspectives - Gilead's long IP runway and diversified revenue base, along with a 2.2% dividend yield, make it attractive to income-oriented investors [13] - Amgen's stock has largely priced in strong execution, with risks from biosimilar competition and an unproven obesity pipeline [12][14] - Oric's binary risk nature is highlighted, with significant implications for stock performance based on upcoming clinical data readouts [15]

Summary of Amgen's Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Amgen - **Event**: 46th Annual TD Cowen Healthcare Conference - **Key Participants**: Justin Claeys (SVP of Finance), Kave Niksefat (SVP of Global Marketing and Access), Casey Capparelli (Head of IR) Core Industry Insights Financial Performance - Amgen exited 2025 with strong momentum, with 13 products delivering double-digit growth and 14 products exceeding $1 billion in annual sales [2][10] - The company reported double-digit growth in both revenue and earnings per share for 2025, supported by six key growth drivers: Repatha, EVENITY, TEZSPIRE, rare disease portfolio, innovative oncology, and biosimilars [2][10] Product Performance - **Repatha, EVENITY, TEZSPIRE**: Each grew over 30% year-over-year in 2025, representing multi-billion dollar global franchises [2] - **Rare Disease Portfolio**: Generated $5 billion in sales for 2025, up 14% year-over-year, driven by new patient reach and geographic expansion [3] - **Uplizna**: Grew 73% in 2025, with expectations for continued growth following recent approvals [3] - **Biosimilars Portfolio**: Generated $3 billion in sales, growing 37% year-over-year, with strong uptake of PAVBLU [4] Pipeline Developments - 2026 is expected to be a disciplined data year with multiple phase 2 and phase 3 programs [5] - **MariTide**: Positioned as a differentiated treatment for obesity and Type 2 diabetes, with a unique dosing schedule [5] - **Olpasiran**: A small interfering RNA medicine targeting Lp(a), with ongoing studies [6] - **Dazodalibep**: Targeting Sjögren's disease, with two phase III studies expected to complete in the second half of 2026 [6] Market Dynamics Competitive Landscape - Increased competition in the cardiometabolic market, with new entrants expected to grow overall market penetration rather than just share [20] - Amgen's Repatha has a competitive edge due to extensive clinical data, including unique primary prevention data [21] Access and Pricing Strategies - Amgen has successfully negotiated access across various therapeutic areas, ensuring affordability and accessibility of its medicines [12] - **AmgenNow**: A direct-to-patient program for Repatha priced at $239 per month, aimed at uninsured or high-deductible patients [17][18] - The average copay for Repatha has decreased to less than $50 a month, with over half of Medicare patients no longer requiring prior authorization [16] Challenges - Otezla faces European generic competition, with sales of $282 million in 2025 and expected erosion in 2026 due to biosimilar competition [9] - The first quarter of the year typically sees lower sales due to seasonal headwinds and inventory build from the previous quarter [8][9] Additional Insights - The company is focusing on expanding its market share in severe asthma with TEZSPIRE, which can be used across different patient phenotypes [22][24] - Uplizna is being utilized across all lines of therapy, with a significant portion of prescriptions coming from bio-naive patients [28] - The European market remains challenging, but there are signs of governments beginning to react positively to drug pricing and access [33] Conclusion Amgen is well-positioned for sustained long-term growth with a diversified portfolio and a robust pipeline. The company is navigating competitive pressures while focusing on access and affordability for its products, particularly in the cardiometabolic and rare disease markets.

Core Insights - The government has negotiated prices for 10 popular prescription drugs under Medicare Part D for 2026, which will significantly reduce costs for seniors on fixed incomes [1][5]. Group 1: Negotiated Drugs and Pricing - The negotiated prices for a 30-day supply of the drugs include: - Januvia at $113.00 with a 79% discount - Fiasp and related products at $119.00 with a 76% discount - Farxiga at $178.50 with a 68% discount - Enbrel at $2,355.00 with a 67% discount - Jardiance at $197.00 with a 66% discount - Stelara at $4,695.00 with a 66% discount - Xarelto at $197.00 with a 62% discount - Eliquis at $231.00 with a 56% discount - Entresto at $295.00 with a 53% discount - Imbruvica at $9,319.00 with a 38% discount [3][4]. Group 2: Financial Implications - There is a $2,100 out-of-pocket maximum for all Part D beneficiaries, ensuring that seniors will not pay more than this amount for their prescription medications [4]. - Seniors should consider these negotiated prices when planning their healthcare budgets for 2026, as prices may increase slightly in future years due to inflation [5].

Core Insights - Amgen Inc. is a global biotechnology company with a market cap of $206.4 billion, focusing on innovative human therapeutics for serious diseases [1] - The company is classified as a "mega-cap" stock, with a diverse portfolio that includes leading treatments for various health conditions [2] Financial Performance - Amgen's shares have seen a marginal decline from a 52-week high of $385.12, but have increased by 14.5% over the past three months, outperforming the Dow Jones Industrials Average's 5.9% rise [3] - Over the past 52 weeks, AMGN stock is up 23.6%, exceeding the Dow's 13.2% gain, and has risen nearly 17% year-to-date, compared to the Dow's 2.3% return [6] - Following Q4 2025 results, Amgen's shares jumped 8.2% after reporting $9.9 billion in revenue and adjusted EPS of $5.29, with strong forward guidance for 2026 [7] Market Position and Analyst Sentiment - Despite outperforming the Dow, Amgen's stock has underperformed compared to Gilead Sciences, which has seen a 20.3% YTD increase and a 33% rise over the past 52 weeks [8] - Analysts maintain a "Moderate Buy" consensus rating for AMGN stock, with the current trading price above the mean price target of $355.83 [8]

Company Overview - Amgen is one of the largest biotech companies globally, focusing on oncology, cardiovascular disease, inflammation, bone health, and rare diseases [11] - The company has developed significant drugs such as Epogen and Neupogen, and launched next-generation products like Aranesp and Neulasta [11] - Amgen's acquisition of Immunex Corporation provided access to the blockbuster drug Enbrel, although older drugs are facing declining sales due to competition [11] Current Stock Performance - Amgen is currently rated 3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B [12] - The stock has a Momentum Style Score of B, with shares increasing by 12.4% over the past four weeks [12] - For fiscal 2026, eight analysts have revised their earnings estimates upwards, increasing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by $0.48 to $22.19 per share [12] Investment Considerations - With a solid Zacks Rank and strong Momentum and VGM Style Scores, Amgen is recommended for investors' consideration [13]

Core Viewpoint - Amgen is experiencing significant momentum, trading near 52-week highs with an 8% increase in the latest session, indicating strong institutional interest [1] Financial Performance - In Q4 2025, Amgen reported total revenues of approximately $9.9 billion, reflecting a 9% increase, while full-year revenues reached about $36.8 billion, up 10% [2] - Over the last three months, Amgen's stock has risen about 13.7%, and it is up roughly 11% year-to-date, showcasing steady accumulation in a $193 billion company [3] Stock Breakout Significance - The breakout to a 52-week high signals momentum capital attraction and a self-reinforcing setup, supported by a revenue growth rate of 10% for a mature biopharma franchise [4] - Amgen's valuation is reasonable, trading at a forward P/E of 15.6x, suggesting that the market is beginning to recognize the sturdiness of its forward earnings path [7] Product Portfolio and Pipeline - Amgen's strength lies in its diverse portfolio of therapies across various therapeutic areas, including inflammation, oncology, and rare diseases, with established products like Enbrel and newer assets contributing to growth [6] - The company is focused on expanding its growth engine beyond legacy products, with the pipeline providing optionality and commercial execution driving cash generation [12] Earnings and Valuation - Current-year EPS is approximately $22.33, with next-year EPS expected to be around $22.92, indicating consistent performance rather than hypergrowth [8] - The market is currently valuing Amgen at a mid-teens forward multiple despite delivering double-digit revenue growth, highlighting a potential mismatch that could lead to a breakout [9] Analyst Sentiment and Price Targets - Recent analyst upgrades reflect improving sentiment, with RBC raising its target to $360, Goldman Sachs to $415, and Cantor Fitzgerald to $350, indicating a consensus on Amgen's growth potential [10] Future Catalysts - Key catalysts include continued portfolio expansion and pipeline progress, which are essential for maintaining revenue growth and profitability [12] - The relative attractiveness of Amgen compared to mega-cap tech stocks, with a forward P/E of 15.6x, presents a favorable risk/reward profile [15] Conclusion - Amgen's stock hitting 52-week highs is a bullish indicator supported by strong fundamentals, reasonable valuation, and multiple growth catalysts, positioning it as a core large-cap healthcare winner [16][17]

Core Insights - Amgen (AMGN) reported Q4 2025 adjusted earnings of $5.29 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.76 per share, with total revenues of $9.9 billion, a 9% year-over-year increase, surpassing the estimate of $9.5 billion [2][7] Revenue Performance - Total product revenues increased by 7% year-over-year to $9.37 billion, with a 10% rise in volume offset by a 4% negative impact from pricing [3] - Other revenues reached $499 million, up approximately 35% year-over-year [3] Key Drug Performance - Evenity sales were $599 million, a 39% increase year-over-year, surpassing the estimate of $565 million [4] - Repatha generated $870 million, up 44% year-over-year, exceeding the estimate of $812 million [4] - Prolia revenues were $1.05 billion, down 10% year-over-year but still beating the estimate of $975 million [5] - Xgeva revenues fell 20% year-over-year to $447 million, missing the estimate of $454 million [8] - Blincyto sales were $413 million, an 8% increase year-over-year, but missed the estimate of $435 million [9] - Otezla sales were $625 million, flat year-over-year, beating the estimate of $621 million [9] - Enbrel revenues declined 48% year-over-year to $532 million, missing the estimate of $636 million [10] - Tezspire recorded sales of $474 million, a 60% increase year-over-year, exceeding the estimate of $421 million [10] Cost and Margin Analysis - Adjusted operating margin decreased by 3.5 percentage points to 42.8% in Q4 [14] - Adjusted operating expenses rose 16% to $5.86 billion, with R&D expenses increasing by 26% to $2.13 billion [14] Full-Year Results - For the full year 2025, sales rose 10% to $36.8 billion, beating the estimate of $36.4 billion [15] - Adjusted earnings for 2025 were $21.84 per share, a 10% increase year-over-year, surpassing the estimate of $21.29 per share [15] 2026 Guidance - Amgen expects total revenues in the range of $37.0 billion to $38.4 billion for 2026, with adjusted earnings projected between $21.60 and $23.00 per share [17] - Adjusted operating margin is anticipated to be approximately 45% to 46% for 2026 [17] Pipeline Developments - Amgen is advancing MariTide, a GIPR/GLP-1 receptor, with six phase III obesity studies underway [19][20] - Enrollment has been completed in two pivotal studies for MariTide, with ongoing studies for cardiovascular disease and heart failure [21] - Plans to initiate phase III studies for MariTide in type II diabetes are set for later in 2026 [22]