NEW YORK, Dec. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Royalty Pharma plc (Nasdaq: RPRX) today announced that it has acquired the final portion of PTC Therapeutics’ remaining royalty on Roche’s Evrysdi for $240 million upfront and up to $60 million in sales-based milestones. Evrysdi, marketed by Roche, is an orally administered survival motor neuron-2 (SMN2) splicing modifier for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. Evrysdi was approved by the FDA in 2020 and has treated over 21,000 patients worldwide. In 2024, E ...

Core Insights - High dividend yields are attractive but must be supported by quality businesses to avoid yield traps [3][10][16] Group 1: Realty Income - Realty Income has a dividend yield of approximately 5.8% and a history of over 56 years of consistent monthly payments [5][6] - The company reported adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) per share of $1.08 and total revenue of $1.47 billion in Q3 2025, reflecting an 11% year-over-year increase [7] - Realty Income has a diversified portfolio of over 15,500 properties leased to more than 1,600 clients across nearly 100 industries, with a high portfolio occupancy rate of 98.7% [8][9] Group 2: Pfizer - Pfizer offers a dividend yield of around 6.8% and has increased its payout annually for 16 consecutive years [10][11] - The company generated $14 billion in free cash flow over the last 12 months and reported total revenues of $63.6 billion for 2024, a 7% operational increase from 2023 [12] - Pfizer's strategic acquisitions, including a pivotal $43 billion acquisition of Seagen, are expected to enhance its oncology portfolio significantly [12][14] Group 3: Verizon - Verizon's dividend yield is just shy of 7%, with a history of raising its dividend for over 21 consecutive years [16][20] - The company reported total operating revenue of $33.8 billion in Q3 2025, a 1.5% year-over-year increase, and free cash flow rose to $15.8 billion [17][18] - Verizon is undergoing a major restructuring, including layoffs of over 13,000 non-union employees, to address competition and improve its financial position [20][21]

Core Viewpoint - Pfizer's dividend remains attractive to income investors despite a decline in stock price, supported by a strong forward dividend yield of 7% and positive developments in its financial outlook [2]. Group 1: Earnings Outlook - Pfizer's adjusted earnings per share (EPS) decreased by 18% year over year in Q3, primarily due to a one-time charge related to a licensing deal, but adjusted EPS would have slightly increased without this charge [3][5]. - The company raised its full-year adjusted diluted EPS guidance to a range of $3.00 to $3.15, reflecting management's confidence in Q4 performance [6]. Group 2: Cost Reductions - Pfizer is on track to achieve at least $4.5 billion in cumulative net cost savings by the end of 2025, with expectations of around $7.7 billion in savings by the end of 2027 [7]. - Approximately $500 million of the identified cost savings will be reinvested in R&D, while the majority will be available for capital allocation priorities, including funding the dividend [8]. Group 3: Patent Cliff Strategy - Pfizer's strategy to address the patent cliff appears effective, with strong sales momentum from recently acquired products and internal R&D efforts [9]. - Revenue from recent launches and acquired products increased by 9% year over year in Q3, which is expected to offset the negative impact of upcoming patent expirations [11]. Group 4: Management Support for Dividend - Pfizer's management reiterated its commitment to the dividend during the Q3 earnings call, emphasizing a capital allocation strategy that includes maintaining and growing the dividend over time [12][13]. - The company has reduced leverage from around 4 times to 2.7 times, providing increased flexibility to support both business development and dividend growth [14].

Core Viewpoint - Royalty Pharma Plc (NASDAQ:RPRX) is highlighted as one of the most profitable biotech stocks, with analysts maintaining positive ratings despite slight adjustments in price targets ahead of Q3 earnings [1][2]. Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Morgan Stanley analyst Terence Flynn reduced the price target for Royalty Pharma to $54 from $55 while maintaining an overweight rating [1]. - Citi analyst Geoff Meacham also kept a Buy rating on the stock, setting a price target of $43 [2]. - Goldman Sachs analyst Asad Haider assigned a Buy rating, emphasizing the company's growth potential and strategic positioning [3]. Growth Potential and Market Position - Analysts believe Royalty Pharma is entering a significant expansion phase, driven by the increasing market for royalty funding and innovation trends in China [4]. - The company provides a unique investment opportunity through a diversified portfolio of biopharma royalty streams, which helps mitigate typical biotech investment risks [3]. Business Model and Portfolio - Royalty Pharma funds innovation in the biopharmaceutical industry by partnering with various entities, including small and mid-cap biotech companies and global pharma companies [5]. - The company's portfolio includes royalties from over 35 commercial products, such as Johnson & Johnson's Tremfya and AbbVie and Johnson & Johnson's Imbruvica [5].

Core Points - Royalty Pharma's board of directors has approved a dividend of $0.22 per Class A ordinary share for the fourth quarter of 2025 [1] - The dividend payment date is set for December 10, 2025, with a record date of November 14, 2025 [1] Company Overview - Royalty Pharma, founded in 1996, is the largest buyer of biopharmaceutical royalties and a significant funder of innovation in the biopharmaceutical industry [2] - The company collaborates with various entities, including academic institutions, research hospitals, non-profits, small and mid-cap biotechnology companies, and leading global pharmaceutical companies [2] - Royalty Pharma's portfolio includes royalties from over 35 commercial products and 17 development-stage product candidates, entitling it to payments based on the top-line sales of leading therapies [2]

Group 1 - Royalty Pharma will participate in a fireside chat at Bernstein's 2nd Annual Healthcare Forum on September 23, 2025 [1] - The webcast will be available on Royalty Pharma's "Events" page and archived for at least thirty days [1] Group 2 - Royalty Pharma, founded in 1996, is the largest buyer of biopharmaceutical royalties and a key funder of innovation in the biopharmaceutical industry [2] - The company collaborates with various entities, including academic institutions, research hospitals, non-profits, and biotechnology companies [2] - Royalty Pharma's portfolio includes royalties on over 35 commercial products and 17 development-stage product candidates [2] - Notable products in Royalty Pharma's portfolio include Vertex's Trikafta, Johnson & Johnson's Tremfya, and GSK's Trelegy among others [2]

Market Overview - The stock market is currently experiencing high valuations, with major indexes at or near all-time highs, following recent interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve [2] - Despite the positive outlook, there is a possibility of a significant market correction by early 2026 due to elevated economic uncertainty [2] Company Analysis: AbbVie - AbbVie has a high price-to-earnings ratio of 103, but its forward earnings multiple is around 15, indicating potential growth [5] - The company is seeing strong sales from its autoimmune disease drugs Skyrizi and Rinvoq, as well as migraine therapies Qulipta and Ubrelvy, with a robust pipeline of around 50 programs in mid- or late-stage clinical development [6] - AbbVie is a Dividend King, having increased its dividend for over 50 consecutive years, with a current yield of nearly 3% [8] Company Analysis: Enterprise Products Partners - Enterprise Products Partners has demonstrated strong cash flow resilience through various economic downturns, including the financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic [9] - The company operates over 50,000 miles of pipeline, providing critical energy infrastructure that is largely recession-resistant, with 90% of long-term contracts including inflation escalation provisions [10] - The company has a distribution yield of 6.8% and has increased its distribution for 27 consecutive years [11] Company Analysis: Pfizer - Pfizer offers a high dividend yield of 7.15% and is committed to maintaining and growing its dividend [12] - The stock trades at a low valuation of 7.7 times forward earnings, with a PEG ratio of 0.96, suggesting it may not decline significantly even in a market correction [13] - Pfizer has a strong product lineup and a robust pipeline with 108 candidates, including 28 in late-stage testing, which should help offset anticipated sales declines from patent expirations [14]

Group 1 - Royalty Pharma Plc (NASDAQ:RPRX) is considered one of the best affordable biotech stocks to invest in, with a Buy rating maintained by TD Cowen analyst Michael Nedelcovych and a price target set at $42.00 [1][2] - The company's optimistic outlook is based on its strong performance, consistently surpassing key metrics, and is projected to meet or exceed a revenue target of $4.7 billion by 2030 [2] - Royalty Pharma Plc operates as a funder of innovation in the biopharmaceutical industry, collaborating with various entities from small biotech firms to global pharmaceutical companies [3][4] Group 2 - The company funds innovation directly by co-funding late-stage clinical trials and new product launches in exchange for future royalties, and indirectly by acquiring existing royalties from original innovators [4] - Royalty Pharma's portfolio includes royalties from over 35 commercial products, such as Johnson & Johnson's Tremfya, AbbVie and Johnson & Johnson's Imbruvica, Novartis' Promacta, and Pfizer's Xtandi and Nurtec ODT [4]

Group 1 - Royalty Pharma will participate in the Morgan Stanley 23rd Annual Global Healthcare Conference on September 9, 2025, at 3:20 p.m. ET [1] - The webcast of the event will be available on Royalty Pharma's "Events" page and archived for at least thirty days [1] Group 2 - Royalty Pharma, founded in 1996, is the largest buyer of biopharmaceutical royalties and a key funder of innovation in the biopharmaceutical industry [2] - The company collaborates with various entities, including academic institutions, research hospitals, non-profits, and both small and mid-cap biotechnology companies, as well as leading global pharmaceutical companies [2] - Royalty Pharma's portfolio includes royalties on over 35 commercial products and 17 development-stage product candidates, featuring notable therapies such as Vertex's Trikafta and GSK's Trelegy [2]

Core Viewpoint - Pfizer is highlighted as a top dividend-paying stock with strong value, offering a forward dividend yield of 6.86% and a low forward P/E ratio of 8.3, making it an attractive investment option in the current market [4][6]. Dividend Performance - Pfizer has a robust dividend history, having paid 347 consecutive quarterly dividends and increased its dividend for 16 consecutive years [4]. - The company's management prioritizes maintaining and growing the dividend, despite a high payout ratio of around 90% [5]. Financial Metrics - The forward P/E ratio of Pfizer is significantly lower than the S&P 500's average of 22.8 and the healthcare sector's average of 16.5, indicating strong value [6]. - Analysts project a consensus 12-month price target for Pfizer that reflects an upside potential of over 13%, with a low PEG ratio of 0.86 suggesting confidence in its growth prospects [9]. Patent Cliff and Growth Prospects - Pfizer faces a patent cliff with several top-selling products losing exclusivity, including Eliquis and Ibrance, which generated $7.6 billion and $4.4 billion in sales, respectively [7]. - The company has a promising pipeline with 108 candidates, including late-stage programs and new products like Nurtec ODT and Abrysvo, which are expected to drive future growth [8]. Market Sentiment - Wall Street appears optimistic about Pfizer's ability to navigate challenges, as indicated by the consensus price target and low PEG ratio, suggesting that analysts are not overly concerned about the impact of patent expirations on growth [9].