In this article, we will take a look at some of the best blue-chip stocks to invest in.Dividend stocks have fallen behind the broader market this year as investors have piled into tech and AI names. Still, that doesn’t take away from their long-term value. Kirsten Cabacungan, an investment strategist in the Chief Investment Office at Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank, points out that total return is about more than just share price moves. Dividend income matters too.She noted that dividend-paying sto ...

Core Insights - Zenas BioPharma has entered a transformative license agreement with InnoCare Pharma for the global development and commercialization rights to orelabrutinib, a highly selective oral BTK inhibitor for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) [1][4][12] - Orelabrutinib is currently in Phase 3 trials for Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) and is expected to begin trials for Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS) in Q1 2026 [2][21] - Zenas has also secured rights to two additional promising molecules: an oral IL-17AA/AF inhibitor and a TYK2 inhibitor, both expected to enter Phase 1 trials in 2026 [1][4][9] Company Developments - Zenas announced a private placement financing of approximately $120 million to support its operations and clinical development [1][13][16] - The license agreement includes upfront and milestone payments to InnoCare totaling up to $100 million in cash and up to 7 million shares of Zenas common stock, with total potential payments exceeding $2 billion [10][11] - Zenas aims to leverage this collaboration to enhance its position as a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on autoimmune diseases [4][5] Clinical Trials and Pipeline - The Phase 3 trial for PPMS has been initiated, while the SPMS trial is set to start in early 2026 [2][21] - Orelabrutinib has shown significant efficacy in previous Phase 2 trials for Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS), demonstrating sustained reductions in inflammatory activity [3][21] - Zenas is also advancing obexelimab, which is concluding Phase 3 development for IgG4-RD, and expects to report key trial results in late 2025 and early 2026 [6][8] Market Potential - Orelabrutinib is positioned as a potential blockbuster treatment for progressive forms of MS, addressing a significant unmet medical need [4][5] - The collaboration with InnoCare is expected to enhance Zenas's capabilities in drug development and commercialization, particularly in the global market for autoimmune therapeutics [5][6] Financial Overview - The private placement is expected to provide sufficient funds to support Zenas's operations into Q4 2026, with additional potential funding from milestone payments [16][14] - Zenas's strategic focus on developing a balanced portfolio of therapies aims to maximize clinical and commercial potential across multiple therapeutic areas [6][10]

Core Viewpoint - Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. has announced a public offering of 30 million shares at a price of $2.50 per share, aiming to raise approximately $75 million before expenses [1]. Group 1: Offering Details - The offering includes a 30-day option for underwriters to purchase an additional 4.5 million shares [1]. - The offering is expected to close on or about October 9, 2025, pending customary closing conditions [1]. - The shares are being offered under an effective shelf registration statement filed with the SEC on April 18, 2025 [3]. Group 2: Management and Coordination - Piper Sandler & Co. and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering [2]. - Citizens JMP Securities, LLC, H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, and Needham & Company, LLC are co-managers for the offering [2]. Group 3: Company Overview - Esperion is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing oral, once-daily, non-statin medicines for patients with elevated LDL-C [6]. - The company has FDA-approved medications supported by the CLEAR Cardiovascular Outcomes Trial involving nearly 14,000 patients [6]. - Esperion is advancing its pipeline with a focus on developing ATP citrate lyase inhibitors (ACLYi) [6][7].

Core Viewpoint - Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. has initiated an underwritten public offering of its common stock, with a potential additional 15% of shares available for underwriters [1][2] Company Overview - Esperion is a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing oral, once-daily, non-statin medicines for patients with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) [1][6] - The company has FDA approval for its oral medications aimed at patients at risk for cardiovascular disease, supported by the CLEAR Cardiovascular Outcomes Trial involving nearly 14,000 patients [6] - Esperion is advancing its next-generation program targeting ATP citrate lyase inhibitors (ACLYi), leveraging new insights for rational drug design [6][7] Offering Details - The shares are being offered under an effective shelf registration statement filed with the SEC on April 18, 2025, and declared effective on April 29, 2025 [3] - The offering will be conducted through a written prospectus and a preliminary prospectus supplement will be filed with the SEC [3][5] - Joint book-running managers for the offering are Piper Sandler & Co. and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. [2][4]

Company Overview - Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. is a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing new medicines for unmet patient needs, particularly in cardiovascular disease [3] - The company has developed the only FDA-approved oral, once-daily, non-statin medications for patients with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) [3] - Esperion's medications are supported by the CLEAR Cardiovascular Outcomes Trial, which involved nearly 14,000 patients [3] Upcoming Events - Esperion will participate in the Cantor Global Healthcare Conference in New York on September 3, 2025, at 9:45 a.m. ET [1] - The company will also attend the H.C. Wainwright 27th Annual Global Investment Conference in New York on September 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ET [1] Webcast Information - Live webcasts of the events can be accessed on the investor and media section of the Esperion website [2] - Replay of the webcasts will be available approximately two hours after the events and archived for about 90 days [2] Strategic Focus - Esperion is advancing its pre-clinical pipeline and focusing on developing ATP citrate lyase inhibitors (ACLYi) [3][4] - The company aims to leverage new insights into the structure and function of ACLYi for rational drug design, targeting the development of highly potent and specific inhibitors [3]

Core Viewpoint - Analysts forecast a quarterly earnings per share (EPS) of $0.89 for Colgate-Palmolive, indicating a year-over-year decline of 2.2%, with revenues expected to be $5.06 billion, showing no change from the previous year [1]. Earnings Projections - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised upward by 0.2% in the last 30 days, reflecting analysts' reassessment of their initial estimates [2]. - Changes in earnings projections are crucial for predicting investor reactions, as empirical studies show a strong correlation between earnings estimate trends and short-term stock price movements [3]. Revenue Estimates - The consensus estimate for 'Net Sales- Pet Nutrition' is $1.13 billion, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 1.1% [5]. - 'Net Sales- Total Oral, Personal and Home Care' is projected to reach $3.91 billion, indicating a decline of 0.9% from the prior year [5]. - 'Net Sales- Oral, Personal and Home Care- North America' is expected to be $1.01 billion, showing a growth of 1% year-over-year [5]. - 'Net Sales- Oral, Personal and Home Care- Latin America' is estimated at $1.24 billion, reflecting a decrease of 2.5% from the previous year [6]. - 'Net Sales- Oral, Personal and Home Care- Europe' is projected at $716.03 million, indicating a decline of 0.6% [7]. - 'Net Sales- Oral, Personal and Home Care- Asia Pacific' is expected to be $666.60 million, showing a decrease of 2.3% [7]. Operating Profit Estimates - 'Operating profit- Total Oral, Personal and Home Care' is expected to be $999.32 million, down from $1.06 billion in the same quarter last year [8]. - 'Operating profit- Pet Nutrition' is projected at $260.59 million, an increase from $235 million reported in the same quarter last year [8]. - 'Operating profit- Oral, Personal and Home Care- North America' is estimated at $200.45 million, compared to $223 million in the previous year [9]. - 'Operating profit- Oral, Personal and Home Care- Latin America' is expected to be $364.91 million, down from $417 million reported last year [9]. - 'Operating profit- Oral, Personal and Home Care- Africa/Eurasia' is projected at $61.54 million, compared to $64 million in the same quarter last year [10]. Stock Performance - Colgate-Palmolive shares have decreased by 4.9% over the past month, contrasting with a 3.6% increase in the Zacks S&P 500 composite [11].

Company Overview - Colgate-Palmolive positions itself as a "caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets, and our planet" [1] - The company operates in two segments: oral care, personal care, and home care [1] Investment Philosophy - The focus is on identifying undervalued, promising stocks while balancing risk and reward [1] - Emphasis on limited risks with decent to high upside potential by understanding ownership [1] - Simplicity in investment ideas is highlighted as a key principle, with a contrarian approach being favored [1]

Company Overview - Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. is a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing new medicines for unmet patient needs, particularly in cardiovascular disease [3] - The company has developed the only FDA-approved oral, once-daily, non-statin medications for patients with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) [3] - Esperion's medications are supported by the CLEAR Cardiovascular Outcomes Trial, which involved nearly 14,000 patients [3] Financial Reporting - Esperion will report its first quarter 2025 financial results before the market opens on May 6, 2025 [1] - Following the financial results release, management will host a webcast at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss the results and provide business updates [1] Business Development - The company is advancing its pre-clinical pipeline and focusing on developing ATP citrate lyase inhibitors (ACLYi) [3] - New insights into ACLYi structure and function enable rational drug design for developing potent and specific inhibitors [3] - Esperion is evolving into a leading global biopharmaceutical company through commercial execution and international partnerships [4]