Group 1: Apple - Apple faces challenges due to potential tariffs from China, which could increase costs and reduce margins and earnings [3] - The company generated significant free cash flow of $98.5 billion over the trailing-12-month period, allowing for production shifts and domestic manufacturing enhancements [4] - Apple's strong brand name enables it to pass on higher manufacturing costs to consumers without losing market share [5] - The services segment, with over 2 billion devices and more than 1 billion paid subscriptions, is a key growth area that generates higher margins than hardware [6] - Apple is investing in fintech initiatives like Apple Pay, which are expected to yield returns in the future [7] - Despite a 19% decline in shares this year, Apple remains attractive for long-term growth investors due to its competitive advantages and culture of innovation [8] Group 2: Amgen - Amgen is pursuing new blockbuster medicines, but faced a setback with its weight management drug MariTide in a phase 2 clinical trial [9] - MariTide showed an average weight loss of about 20% after 52 weeks, with a convenient monthly dosing schedule that could appeal to patients [10] - The company reported a 9% year-over-year revenue growth to $8.1 billion in the first quarter, with adjusted earnings per share rising 24% to $4.90 [11] - Amgen has a robust pipeline with several dozen programs that are expected to lead to new approvals and label expansions [12] - The company has increased its dividend by 750% since initiating payouts in 2011, with a current forward yield of over 3.4% [12] - Despite recent underperformance, Amgen's solid underlying business could provide strong returns and consistent dividend growth for long-term investors [13]

Core Viewpoint - Amgen (AMGN) reported strong first-quarter earnings and sales for 2025, with total revenues increasing by 9% year over year and product revenues rising by 11% to $7.87 billion, driven by volume growth despite price declines [1][2][3] Revenue Performance - Total revenues rose 9% year over year, with product revenues increasing 11% to $7.87 billion, reflecting strong volume growth across all areas [1][2] - Sales of key products such as Prolia, Xgeva, Repatha, Blincyto, and Evenity exceeded estimates, with 14 products achieving double-digit volume growth [3][4] Key Drug Performance - Repatha generated $656 million in sales, up 27% year over year, with volume growth of 41% offset by a 9% price decline [4] - Evenity recorded sales of $442 million, a 29% increase year over year, driven by strong demand [5] - Prolia revenues reached $1.1 billion, up 10% from the previous year, as higher volumes mitigated lower pricing impacts [5] Rare Disease Drug Sales - Sales of rare disease drugs rose 3% year over year to $1 billion, with Tepezza and Krystexxa impacted by U.S. wholesaler inventory changes [8][9] - Tepezza sales declined 10% to $381 million, while Krystexxa remained flat at $236 million; Uplizna grew 14% to $91 million, and Tavneos saw a 76% increase to $90 million [9] Oncology Portfolio - Amgen's oncology portfolio grew 10% year over year, generating over $2 billion in sales, with Blincyto as a key driver at $370 million, up 52% [10][11] - Xgeva delivered revenues of $566 million, while Kyprolis saw a 14% decline to $324 million due to competitive pressures [11] Biosimilars Contribution - Biosimilar portfolio sales increased by 35% year over year to $735 million, with new products like Wezlana contributing significantly [12][13] - Wezlana generated $150 million in sales, while Pavblu brought in $99 million [13] Inflammation Drugs - Otezla sales were $437 million, up 11%, while Enbrel revenues declined 10% to $510 million, with both products beating estimates [15] Overall Conclusion - Amgen's key medicines, including Evenity, Repatha, and Blincyto, drove sales growth, offsetting declines from oncology biosimilars and established products like Enbrel [16] - Increased pricing pressures and competition are expected to impact sales of several products, with potential revenue headwinds from brands like Otezla and Lumakras [17]

Core Viewpoint - Amgen is set to report its first-quarter 2025 results on May 1, with expectations of strong sales driven by volume growth in key products, although pricing pressures may impact overall revenue [1][4]. Sales Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter sales is $7.96 billion, with earnings expected at $4.16 per share [1]. - Specific sales estimates for key products include Evenity at $406 million, Repatha at $616 million, Kyprolis at $381 million, and Blincyto at $333 million [2]. Patent Expiration Impact - Patents for Prolia and Xgeva expired in February 2025 in the U.S., leading to anticipated significant sales erosion due to biosimilar competition, with estimates of $990 million for Prolia and $542 million for Xgeva [3]. New Product Contributions - Newer drugs like Tezspire and Tavneos are expected to contribute positively to top-line growth, alongside the successful launch of Imdelltra for advanced small cell lung cancer [4]. Declining Sales of Established Products - Sales of Enbrel and Otezla are projected to decline due to price reductions and historical trends related to benefit plan changes and increased co-pay expenses [5][6]. Biosimilars Performance - Increased competition is expected to negatively impact revenues from oncology biosimilars, while sales of Amjevita/Amgevita are likely to have increased [7]. - Amgen launched biosimilars Wezlana and Pavblu, with investors keenly observing their sales performance [8]. Operating Margin Expectations - Amgen anticipates the lowest operating margin of the year at around 42% for the first quarter, with R&D costs expected to rise while SG&A costs as a percentage of sales are projected to decline [9]. Earnings Surprise History - Amgen has a strong earnings surprise history, beating estimates in the last four quarters with an average surprise of 5.23% [10]. Earnings Prediction Model - The current model does not predict a definitive earnings beat for Amgen, with an Earnings ESP of -0.05% and a Zacks Rank of 3 [12].

Core Viewpoint - The current economic environment presents a favorable opportunity for investors to consider solid dividend stocks, which tend to be more resilient than non-dividend-paying companies amid market volatility and potential recession [1]. Group 1: Dividend Stocks Overview - Four recommended dividend-paying stocks during the current market sell-off are AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Zoetis [2]. Group 2: AbbVie - AbbVie is recognized for its strong position in immunology, despite facing challenges such as a patent cliff and clinical setbacks [3]. - The company has increased its 2027 revenue guidance for key products Skyrizi and Rinvoq by $4 billion to over $31 billion, indicating strong growth potential [4]. - AbbVie has a robust pipeline and a history of increasing dividends for 53 consecutive years, with a forward yield of 3.9%, significantly above the S&P 500 average of 1.3% [5]. Group 3: Amgen - Amgen's shares faced a decline due to underperformance of its weight loss candidate, MariTide, but the company has a strong portfolio with over 10 blockbuster drugs [6]. - Key growth drivers include asthma medicine Tezspire and FDA-approved Tepezza for thyroid eye disease, supporting a strong revenue outlook [7]. - Since initiating dividends in 2011, Amgen has increased payouts by 750%, with a forward yield exceeding 3.5% [8]. Group 4: Bristol Myers Squibb - Bristol Myers is facing significant patent cliffs, particularly for its best-sellers Opdivo and Eliquis, but has managed to secure new approvals to mitigate revenue loss [9]. - Newer medicines like Reblozyl and Opdualag are expected to drive future sales growth [10]. - The company has increased its dividend by nearly 68% over the past decade, offering a yield of 5.1% [11]. Group 5: Zoetis - Zoetis, a leader in animal health, started the year with disappointing guidance but has a strong portfolio with 15 products generating over $100 million in annual sales [12]. - The company is expected to overcome current challenges with its key product Apoquel and has new approvals in the pipeline to drive growth [13]. - Zoetis has increased its dividends by about 500% over the past decade, although its yield is 1.4% [14].

Group 1: AbbVie - AbbVie's share price has increased by a double-digit percentage in 2025, indicating strong demand for its products regardless of economic conditions [2] - The company has effectively managed the patent expiration of its top-selling drug, Humira, with successors Rinvoq and Skyrizi expected to generate more sales combined than Humira at its peak [3] - AbbVie has made significant acquisitions, adding growth drivers like Elahere, Botox, and Vraylar, and has over 90 programs in clinical development, including promising late-stage candidates [4] - AbbVie boasts a forward dividend yield of 3.25% and has a history of 53 consecutive years of dividend increases, qualifying it as a Dividend King [5] Group 2: Amgen - Amgen has faced challenges in organic revenue growth and a clinical setback with its weight management drug, MariTide, but its long-term prospects remain strong [6] - The company has strengthened its lineup through acquisitions, with growth drivers like Tepezza and Tezspire, and has over 30 candidates in phase 3 studies to ensure steady revenue and earnings growth [7][8] - Amgen has consistently raised its dividends, with a 201% increase over the past decade, and a forward yield of 3.1%, surpassing the S&P 500 average of 1.3% [8][9] Group 3: Eli Lilly - Eli Lilly's current dividend yield is less than 1%, but the company has significantly increased its dividend over the years, currently paying $1.50 per quarter, more than double the amount from five years ago [10][11] - The stock has appreciated by 480% over the past five years, with total returns including dividends reaching approximately 533%, compared to the S&P 500's 135% [12] - Eli Lilly is recognized for its growth potential with assets like Zepbound and Mounjaro, and despite a high valuation, it is considered a strong long-term investment due to its fast-growing business and robust dividend growth [13]

Group 1: Amgen - Amgen is positioned for growth with key products like Tezspire for asthma and Tepezza for thyroid eye disease, with ongoing clinical trials and international launches [3][4] - The company reported a 19% year-over-year revenue increase to $33.4 billion, with a solid 7% organic growth [4] - Amgen's pipeline includes promising candidates like MariTide for weight loss and rocatinlimab for eczema, indicating strong long-term performance potential [5] - The company offers a forward dividend yield of about 3%, significantly higher than the S&P 500 average of 1.3%, and has increased its payouts by 201% over the past decade [6] Group 2: Intuitive Surgical - Intuitive Surgical leads in robotic-assisted surgery with its da Vinci surgical system, recently launching the fifth generation of this device, which has seen strong demand [7][9] - The da Vinci 5 features improvements such as greater precision and efficiency, and a Force Feedback technology that enhances surgical accuracy [8] - The company experienced a 25% year-over-year revenue increase to $2.41 billion, with adjusted earnings per share rising from $1.60 to $2.21 [9] - Intuitive Surgical has treated 16 million patients with its systems, with a compound annual growth rate of 17% in procedure volume over the past five years, indicating sustained growth potential [10][11]

Core Insights - Amgen reported positive results from the phase III MINT study for Uplizna, indicating its potential for label expansion in generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) [1][4] Group 1: Study Results - Uplizna demonstrated durable efficacy in AChR-positive gMG patients over 52 weeks, with a 2.8-point improvement in MG-ADL scores compared to placebo [2] - 72% of AChR+ patients treated with Uplizna showed an improvement of three or more points in MG-ADL scores, versus 45% in the placebo group [2] - In the QMG score, 69% of AChR+ patients on Uplizna improved by three or more points, compared to nearly 42% in the placebo group [3] Group 2: Regulatory and Market Position - Amgen plans to submit a regulatory filing for Uplizna with the FDA by the first half of 2025, currently approved for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder [4] - A regulatory filing for Uplizna in immunoglobulin G4-related disease is under review, with a decision expected by April 3, 2025 [4] - Uplizna, part of Amgen's rare disease franchise, was acquired through the $28 billion purchase of Horizon Therapeutics in 2023 [9] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The 52-week results from the MINT study provide Uplizna an advantage over competitors like argenx's Vyvgart and UCB's Rystiggo, which require weekly dosing, while Uplizna requires dosing every six months [8] - Uplizna has received orphan drug designation from the FDA for the gMG indication [8] Group 4: Stock Performance - Year to date, Amgen's shares have increased by over 20%, outperforming the industry growth of 6% [5]