Pharmaceuticals
Highlights Portfolio Strategy Factors are falling into place for an earnings-led underperformance phase in health care stocks. Trim to a below benchmark allocation and execute this downgrade via reducing the heavyweight S&P pharmaceuticals index to a below benchmark allocation. The…
Highlights Portfolio Strategy Contrary to popular perception, non-cyclical sectors have led the market so far this year, while deep cyclical sectors are breaking down, in relative performance terms. Our models point to more of the same ahead. The oversold rebound in the pharmaceutical group…
Highlights Portfolio Strategy Bank profits are unlikely to match those of the broad market if the Fed hikes interest rates and loan demand cools. Sell into strength. Gold shares are looking increasingly attractive, but we will refrain from upgrading until the U.S. dollar is closer to a peak…
A number of drug wholesalers have reported earnings misses and provided disappointing guidance, specifically citing worse than expected generic drug pricing pressure, enough to offset ongoing branded drug price increases. In the current environment of political uncertainty toward health care…
The mini-consolidation in equities reflects the ongoing tension between market-supportive liquidity and a sketchy corporate profit backdrop.
Stocks whipsawed violently last week. Volatility could intensify if recent whiffs of a domestic economic slowdown proliferate and the Fed still adopts a more hawkish tone.
Pharmaceutical stocks are trading at historically cheap relative valuations on the back of political pressure on a few high-profile specialty pharma companies. We see this as an opportunity to add to positions in the more traditional pharma space. Our concerns about excessive drug pricing will…
The S&P pharmaceutical index has checked back relative to the broad market, reflecting the powerful short covering and relief rally in higher beta sectors in recent weeks. While this trend may persist in the very near run, we expect relative performance to follow relative forward earnings…
While high-beta equity areas have rebounded smartly in recent trading sessions, we remain skeptical that earnings-follow through will be forthcoming. Instead, our portfolio remains defensively-geared, where profit support is strongest. For instance, the latest manufacturing data showed that…
The oversold bounce is not supported by policy or profits, and should be treated as countertrend. Lift machinery to neutral and differentiate between pharmaceuticals and the unwinding of the biotech mania.