AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) is a large drug company with a somewhat unusual portfolio of products, spanning immunology (Skyrizi and Rinvoq) to esthetics (Botox). However, for many investors, the big draw is going to be the dividend. With a currently high yield and strong cash flow, AbbVie could provide dividend lovers with reliable income for years to come. AbbVie's yield is attractive The S&P 500 index has a paltry yield of 1.1% today. The average pharmaceutical company, using iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF a ...

Core Insights - Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and AbbVie (ABBV) are prominent pharmaceutical companies with strong positions in immunology, oncology, and neuroscience, alongside J&J's extensive medical devices business [1] - Both companies are facing patent challenges, necessitating effective pipeline execution and business development for sustained growth [2] Company Overview Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) - JNJ's diversified business model includes pharmaceuticals and medical devices, with over 275 subsidiaries and 28 products generating over $1 billion in annual sales [4] - The Innovative Medicine unit showed a 4.1% organic sales growth in 2025, driven by key drugs like Darzalex and new products [5] - JNJ's MedTech business saw a 4.3% organic sales increase in 2025, supported by acquisitions and improvements in various segments [6] - Significant R&D investments exceeding $32 billion in 2025, with new product approvals expected to drive future growth [7] - JNJ anticipates that 10 new products could achieve peak sales of $5 billion each [8] AbbVie (ABBV) - AbbVie successfully transitioned from the loss of exclusivity (LOE) of Humira by launching new immunology drugs, Skyrizi and Rinvoq, which contributed to a combined sales growth of over 40% in 2025 [9][10] - The neuroscience portfolio also saw a nearly 20% sales increase, driven by products like Botox and Vraylar [12] - AbbVie has invested over $5 billion in acquisitions to enhance its early-stage pipeline, particularly in immunology [13] - The aesthetics segment faced challenges, with global sales declining by 5.9% in 2025 [14] Financial Performance - JNJ's stock rose 48% in the past year, while AbbVie's stock increased by 10.2%, both outperforming the industry average of 12.1% [20] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for JNJ's 2026 sales and EPS indicates a year-over-year increase of 6.5% and 7.0%, respectively [15] - AbbVie's 2026 sales and EPS estimates imply a year-over-year increase of 9.4% and 8.74%, respectively [17] Valuation and Yield - AbbVie appears more attractive from a valuation perspective, trading at a forward P/E ratio of 15.25 compared to JNJ's 20.79 [20] - AbbVie offers a higher dividend yield of approximately 3.1%, compared to JNJ's 2.1% [23] Future Outlook - AbbVie expects high single-digit revenue growth through 2029, driven by Skyrizi and Rinvoq, with no significant LOE events anticipated [27] - JNJ aims for approximately $100 billion in revenues in 2026, with expectations of sales growth across both segments [28] - Both companies are positioned for continued growth, with JNJ showing a slight edge in stock performance and analyst estimates [29]

Core Insights - AbbVie reported strong fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results, surpassing expectations, primarily driven by its newer immunology drugs, Rinvoq and Skyrizi, which offset the decline of the legacy drug Humira [1] Financial Performance - Skyrizi and Rinvoq generated combined revenues of approximately $26 billion, reflecting over 40% year-over-year growth. Skyrizi sales increased by 50% year-over-year to $17.56 billion, while Rinvoq sales rose by 39% to $8.30 billion [2] - AbbVie anticipates overall sales to grow at a high single-digit revenue CAGR through 2029, with combined sales of Skyrizi and Rinvoq expected to exceed $31 billion in 2026, surpassing the long-term guidance of $31 billion for 2027 [4] Market Dynamics - The immunology market is experiencing strong growth, with significant market share gains for Skyrizi in psoriasis and Rinvoq in rheumatoid arthritis. New indications for both drugs, including recent approvals and potential future approvals, are expected to drive further growth [3][5] - AbbVie expects Rinvoq to secure approvals for vitiligo and alopecia areata in 2026, with additional phase III data anticipated for hidradenitis suppurativa and systemic lupus erythematosus [5] Competitive Landscape - AbbVie faces competition from Johnson & Johnson, which markets Stelara and Tremfya, and Eli Lilly, which recently received FDA approval for Omvoh in ulcerative colitis [7][8] Valuation and Estimates - AbbVie shares are currently trading at a P/E ratio of 15.14, below the industry average of 18.74, but above its five-year mean of 13.68 [12] - Estimate revisions for 2026 EPS have trended higher, while those for 2027 have decreased over the past 30 days [14]

Healthcare is a multi-trillion-dollar industry in the United States alone. With 2024 spending exceeding $5.3 trillion, the sector is nearly one-fifth of the U.S. economy. That alone justifies holding several healthcare stocks in your long-term portfolio, though it can be intimidating given the industry-wide regulatory and political pressures that constantly generate headlines. It's usually wise to stick to industry leaders with entrenched businesses and a proven record of navigating the industry's variou ...

Core Insights - The Zacks Equity Research team has highlighted several stocks, including AbbVie Inc., RTX Corp., International Business Machines Corp., EVI Industries, Inc., and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. in their Analyst Blog [1][2] AbbVie Inc. (ABBV) - AbbVie shares have increased by 13.8% over the past six months, while the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry has gained 29.5% [4] - The company exceeded fourth-quarter estimates for both earnings and sales, successfully managing the loss of exclusivity for Humira by launching new immunology drugs, Skyrizi and Rinvoq, which are performing well [4][5] - AbbVie's neuroscience portfolio is also contributing to revenue growth, with robust net sales growth reported in 2025, marking the second full year post-Humira's loss of exclusivity [5] RTX Corp. (RTX) - RTX shares have outperformed the Zacks Aerospace - Defense industry, gaining 29.2% compared to 11.7% over the past six months [6] - The company reported fourth-quarter earnings and revenues that surpassed estimates, benefiting from strong orders for defense products from the Pentagon and foreign allies [6][7] - RTX's backlog reached $268 billion as of December 31, 2025, supported by improving global commercial air traffic [8] International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) - IBM shares have risen by 10.8% over the past six months, while the Zacks Computer - Integrated Systems industry has gained 61.4% [9] - The company reported strong fourth-quarter results, with adjusted earnings and revenues exceeding estimates, driven by growth in hybrid cloud, AI-powered automation, and enterprise consulting [9][10] - IBM is focusing on its Watsonx platform for AI capabilities and quantum technology, although it faces challenges from traditional business weaknesses and high debt levels [11] EVI Industries, Inc. (EVI) - EVI shares have outperformed the Zacks Industrial Services industry, increasing by 24.4% over the past year [12] - The company reported a 24% revenue increase in the December quarter and a 20% rise for the first six months of FY26, with gross margin expanding to approximately 31% [12][13] - Despite solid revenue growth, net income has dipped due to rising SG&A expenses, and the company faces increased working capital demands [14] Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc. (RMCF) - Rocky Mountain shares have outperformed the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry, gaining 51.1% over the past year [15] - The company is focusing on margin improvement, with manufacturing gross margin rising to 21.4% from 10%, and EBITDA turning positive [15][16] - However, Rocky Mountain faces liquidity risks and high-cost debt, which could impact its operational stability [17]

Core Insights - AbbVie reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results but faced stock price pressure due to declining oncology drug sales and market caution regarding growth sustainability [1] - The company has successfully launched new drugs, Skyrizi and Rinvoq, to offset the decline from Humira, which lost patent protection [2][3] - AbbVie expects continued revenue growth driven by strong performance in immunology and neuroscience, despite challenges in aesthetics and oncology segments [9][23] Group 1: Financial Performance - AbbVie achieved combined sales of Skyrizi and Rinvoq of $26 billion in 2025, representing over 40% year-over-year growth, with projections of over $31 billion for 2026 [3][9] - The company anticipates a revenue growth of approximately 9.5% in 2026, driven by Skyrizi, Rinvoq, and Vyalev, while facing headwinds from Humira erosion [23][24] - AbbVie's neuroscience drugs generated nearly $10.8 billion in sales in 2025, marking a 20% increase, supported by products like Botox Therapeutic and Vraylar [6] Group 2: Product Pipeline and Growth Drivers - AbbVie is focusing on expanding its immunology portfolio with potential new indications for Rinvoq, which could add approximately $2 billion to peak-year sales [4] - The oncology segment generated $6.6 billion in 2025, with new drugs like Elahere and Epkinly contributing to revenue despite a decline in Imbruvica sales [8][10] - AbbVie has been actively acquiring innovative pipeline candidates, investing over $5 billion in 2025 to enhance its early-stage pipeline [11] Group 3: Challenges and Market Conditions - Humira sales are declining significantly due to biosimilar competition, with a projected 50% drop in 2025 and continued erosion expected in 2026 [12] - The aesthetics segment is facing challenges, with global sales declining 5.9% in 2025, and expectations for flat growth in 2026 [13][14] - AbbVie is navigating competitive pressures in its oncology portfolio, but remains optimistic about its pipeline and future product approvals [10][23] Group 4: Stock Valuation and Market Position - AbbVie stock has risen 17.9% over the past year, slightly underperforming the industry average of 19.5% [15][16] - The stock is trading at a price/earnings ratio of 15.75, which is lower than the industry average of 18.83, indicating reasonable valuation [18] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings has increased slightly from $14.45 to $14.49 per share, reflecting positive sentiment [20]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium provides various tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores are indicators that rate stocks based on value, growth, and momentum methodologies, helping investors identify stocks likely to outperform the market in the short term [3] - Stocks are rated from A to F, with A indicating the highest potential for outperformance [4] Value Score - The Value Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales [4] Growth Score - The Growth Score emphasizes a company's financial health and future growth potential, analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [5] Momentum Score - The Momentum Score assesses stocks based on price trends and earnings outlook, helping investors capitalize on upward or downward price movements [6] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive rating based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics [7] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to simplify stock selection, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks historically yielding an average annual return of +23.86% since 1988, outperforming the S&P 500 [8][9] - Investors are encouraged to focus on stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B for optimal returns [10] Stock Highlight: AbbVie (ABBV) - AbbVie, a leading pharmaceutical company, transformed its portfolio through the $63 billion acquisition of Allergan, reducing reliance on its flagship product Humira [12] - AbbVie holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and a VGM Score of B, with a Momentum Style Score of A, reflecting an 8% increase in shares over the past four weeks [13] - Analysts have revised AbbVie's earnings estimate upwards, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.07 to $14.49 per share, and an average earnings surprise of +3.2% [13][14]

Core Viewpoint - AbbVie's recent stock price decline is seen as an overreaction despite solid fourth-quarter results, with a strong long-term outlook remaining intact [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - AbbVie's fourth-quarter revenue increased by 10% year over year to $16.6 billion, driven primarily by immunology medicines Skyrizi and Rinvoq, which showed significant sales growth [2] - Humira, despite being AbbVie's third-best-selling medicine, is experiencing declining sales due to biosimilar competition after losing patent exclusivity in 2023 [4][5] Group 2: Future Growth Prospects - AbbVie projects a sales growth of 9.5% by 2026, with combined sales for Skyrizi and Rinvoq expected to exceed $31 billion, indicating better-than-expected performance [6][7] - The company has a robust pipeline with potential new approvals, including a Parkinson's disease treatment, and has made strategic investments in promising assets [8] Group 3: Dividend and Investment Appeal - AbbVie has a strong dividend track record, having increased its payout for 54 consecutive years, qualifying it as a Dividend King, which enhances its appeal for long-term income investors [9]

Financial Performance - In early February 2026, AbbVie reported Q4 2025 sales of $16.6 billion, exceeding market expectations of $16.4 billion; adjusted EPS was $2.71, above the analyst average estimate of $2.65. The company raised its 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $14.37 to $14.57, higher than the market expectation of $14.22, reflecting confidence in this year's performance [1]. Business Developments - In Q4, Botox sales reached $717 million, marking the first growth since Q3 2024 and surpassing market expectations. The company implemented new marketing strategies, such as the "Naturally You" campaign, to revive its aesthetic business. However, Botox is included in the U.S. federal Medicare price negotiation list, which may lead to price adjustments starting in 2028 [2]. - The neuroscience segment generated $10.767 billion in revenue for 2025, a 19% year-over-year increase, making it the fastest-growing segment. AbbVie plans to strengthen its pipeline through internal R&D and external collaborations, including the acquisition of Cerevel Therapeutics, with a focus on Parkinson's disease therapies like Tavapadon, which has been submitted for approval [3]. - The oncology segment reported $6.655 billion in revenue for 2025, showing a slowdown in growth. However, new drugs performed well, with the global first c-Met ADC drug Teliso-V approved in May 2025, and sales of CD3×CD20 bispecific antibody Epkinly and FRα ADC drug Elahere increasing by 85.5% and 44%, respectively. The company completed over 10 transactions in 2025, totaling over $13 billion, and secured exclusive licensing for PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody RC148 with Rongchang Bio in January 2026, further expanding its oncology pipeline [4]. - The immunology segment achieved $30.4 billion in revenue for 2025, a 14% year-over-year increase. Despite a decline in Humira sales due to patent expiration, new drugs Skyrizi and Rinvoq showed strong demand, with Q4 sales of $5 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively, supporting the business transition [5].

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Conference Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (NYSE: TEVA) - **Date of Conference**: February 13, 2026 - **Key Speaker**: Dr. Eric Hughes, Chief Medical Officer Core Industry Focus - **Industry**: Pharmaceutical, specifically in immunology and drug development Key Points and Arguments Immunology R&D Efforts - Teva is focusing on validated molecular targets in its immunology R&D, including TSLP/IL-13-directed treatments [1][2][3] - The company has a strong antibody and protein engineering group, enhancing its capabilities in developing biosimilars and innovative drugs [4][5] Targeted Approaches - The company is exploring various combinations of molecular targets to increase the probability of success in drug development [5][6] - Teva is agnostic regarding the source of innovation, whether internal or through business development and collaborations [8][10] IL-15-Directed Antibody (408) - Teva is accelerating its IL-15-directed antibody program, targeting vitiligo and celiac disease with timelines set for 2031 and 2034, respectively [12][13] - The company has secured up to $500 million in R&D funding from Royalty Pharma for the vitiligo program, emphasizing the high costs associated with drug development [19][21] Clinical Development Insights - The phase IIb study for vitiligo will require a safety database of approximately 1,400 patients for FDA approval [22] - The company aims to differentiate its IL-15 treatment from existing therapies by potentially offering a quarterly dosing regimen, contrasting with daily treatments of current options [37][39] Mechanistic Rationale - The mechanism of action for IL-15 in vitiligo involves blocking signals that maintain CD8 positive T-cells, which destroy melanocytes [31][33] - In celiac disease, IL-15 is linked to the proliferation of anti-gut lining cells, and blocking it may prevent damage to the gut lining [45][47] Competitive Landscape - Teva's IL-15 antibody is considered more potent than competitors, with a lower rate of anti-drug antibodies [50] - The company is exploring additional indications for its IL-15 treatment, including atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata [51] Future Developments - Teva plans to submit an IND for the TSLP/IL-13 combination by the end of the year, indicating a proactive approach to advancing its pipeline [85] Additional Important Insights - The company acknowledges the high costs of drug development, with $500 million being a reasonable estimate for a vitiligo program [21] - Safety profiles of new treatments are a significant concern, with IL-15 showing promising tolerability compared to existing JAK inhibitors [44] This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the Teva Pharmaceutical Industries conference, highlighting the company's strategic focus on immunology and its innovative approaches to drug development.