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☆ 6 portfolio stock earnings and the Fed's favorite inflation gauge dominate the week ahead
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

The Nasdaq sank 2% on Friday as Netflix dropped nearly 11% post-earnings and Club stock Nvidia fell 10%, entering bear market territory but still up more than 50% in 2024. Following a much stronger-than-expected March retail sales report last month, fresh economic data and six Club stock earnings will take center stage in the week ahead. While lower rates may help stock multiples, that is not a sustainable path to higher equity prices over time. Earnings : The latest quarterly reporting season is starting to ramp into high gear with six Club names set to report next week. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio.

Persons: Dow, Jerome Powell, Jim Cramer, Mark, Meta, Bing, Ford, Vimal, Lockheed Martin, Clark, Philip Morris, Sherwin, Williams, Baker Hughes, Lam, Northrop, Dr Pepper, CARR, Edwards Lifesciences, Jim Cramer's, Jim, Michael M Organizations: Nasdaq, Netflix, Nvidia, Dow Jones, Federal, Fed, Hamas, Gross, Google, Reality Labs, General Motors, Honeywell, Microsoft, Verizon Communications, Albertsons Companies, SAP, Cadence Design Systems, United Parcel Service, General Electric, GE, PepsiCo, Lockheed, Spotify Technology, RTX Corporation, JetBlue Airways, Halliburton, HAL, Philip Morris International, Quest Diagnostics, Texas Instruments, Seagate Technology, Mattel, Veralto Corporation, Boeing, General Dynamics, Boston, Hilton, Fisher, Otis Worldwide, IBM, Grill, Viking Therapeutics, Lam Research, Whirlpool, WM, Honeywell International, Royal Caribbean Cruises, American Airlines, Altria, Newmont, Caterpillar, Southwest Airlines, Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca, Mobileye, Northrop Grumman, CNBC, Comcast, Merck, Dow Inc, Carrier Global, Union Pacific, Intel, Western, Mobile, L3Harris Technologies, Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Colgate, Palmolive, HCA Healthcare, Charter Communications, Newell Brands, Jim Cramer's Charitable, Traders, New York Stock Exchange, Santiago, Getty Locations: Israel, Iran, Ukraine, destocking, China, Cleveland, Freeport, McMoRan, Kimberly, Masco, Bristol, New York City

☆ Here are Friday's biggest analyst calls: Nvidia, Apple, Dell, Netflix, Micron, Broadcom, Eli Lilly, New York Community Bancorp & more
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

"We are initiating coverage of Evolent Health with an Outperform rating and $45 price target." Goldman Sachs downgrades Estee Lauder to neutral from buy Goldman downgraded the stock and said it's under "sizeable pressure." "We are upgrading Annexon (ANNX shares) to Overweight from Neutral and establishing a December 2024 price target of $11." Bank of America reiterates Eli Lilly as buy Bank of America raised its price target on the stock to $1000 per share from $800. "Following 4Q23 earnings we are upgrading GoodRx from Neutral to Overweight and increasing our December 2024 price target from $7 to $10."

Persons: Davidson, Campbell, Morgan Stanley, JD, TD Cowen, Parker, Dell, Goldman Sachs, Goldman, Louise Singlehurst, Tom Ford, Jefferies, Root, AVGO's, Stephens, Vita Coco, COCO, Piper downgrades, Piper, Redburn, Oppenheimer, Daiwa, Morgan Stanley downgrades Flywire, Goldman Sachs downgrades Estee Lauder, Estee Lauder, Dwight, Wells, Eli Lilly, Lilly, D.A Organizations: Apple, Vulcan, Merck, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Bank of America, Broadcom, York Community Bancorp, Netflix, Micron, Mizuho, MU, Citi, EV, Health, Nvidia, Dwight, Hewlett Packard Enterprises, JPMorgan, biosciences, " Bank of America Locations: York, Davidson, Oshkosh, Minneapolis , MN

☆ A top 2% fund manager crushing the S&P 500 over the last 4 years despite owning none of the 'Magnificent 7' shares 7 stocks he's betting on — and breaks down the 4 guiding principles he uses to beat t
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( William Edwards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

In a note on Tuesday, Smead shared the secrets to his success via four guiding principles for outperforming the market. What is worse, losing $30 per share or the sin of omission by missing the next $120 gain per share?" "Our optimism for companies goes up as the price goes down when it fits our eight criteria for stock selection," Smead said. 7 stocks Smead is betting on nowIn the note, Smead listed seven companies he owns that fit these criteria: oil firms Occidental Petroleum (OXY) and ConocoPhillips (COP); homebuilders D.R. We believe that 100% of the people who pick stocks for a living think they will be above average," Smead said.

Persons: Bill Smead, Cole, He's, Smead, D.R, Horton, LEN Organizations: Smead Capital Management, Morningstar, Bank of America, Occidental Petroleum, ConocoPhillips, Merck, US

☆ Retirees are about to shift money into equity income, boosting these stocks, says Bank of America
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Jesse Pound | In Jesse-Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Money market fund assets had $6 trillion as of Jan. 31, according to the Investment Company Institute . "Retirees have shifted assets to cash for income, but an easing cycle could drive them to equity income funds. AT & T has the highest current dividend yield of those six stocks, at more than 6%. However, Bank of America projects big dividend hikes in the coming years, and the stock is already up 15% in 2024. It is unclear how much of the cash parked in money market funds will flow back into the stock market.

Persons: Savita Subramanian, Ford, Morgan Stanley Organizations: Bank of America, Investment Company Institute, Dow Inc, Simon Property Group, Merck, Simon Property, Ford

☆ Big pharma is at a crossroads, as J&J, Merck and others prepare to lose heaps of revenue from blockbuster drugs
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

Bristol Myers Squibb's Eliquis is a blood thinner used to prevent clotting, to reduce the risk of stroke. Bristol Myers Squibb's Opdivo is an immunotherapy used to treat cancers, including melanoma and lung cancer. Investors will get updates on Merck and Bristol Myers Squibb's plans for the years ahead when they report earnings on Thursday and Friday, respectively. That's unlike generics, which are cheaper copycats of small-molecule drugs like Bristol Myers Squibb's Eliquis. Bristol Myers Squibb is also testing a new form of Opdivo, which is currently administered into a patient's veins.

Persons: Johnson, William Blair, Matt Phipps, Bristol Myers, Johnson's, Merck's Keytruda, J's Stelara, Opdivo, Phipps, biosimilars, Eliquis, Biosimilars, Humira, JB Reed, Samsung's, Piper Sandler, Christopher Raymond, AbbVie, Raymond, Chris Schott, Schott, Robert Davis, Keytruda, Davis, JPMorgan's Schott, Bristol Myers Squibb, George Frey, J, Amgen, J confidentially, Mike Perrone, It's, Anna Moneymaker Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, Johnson, NYSE Big, Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck, Biden, William Blair & Company, CNBC, Guggenheim, Bristol, Leerink Partners, Bloomberg, Getty, Bioepis, JPMorgan, JPMorgan Health Care, Moderna, Bristol Myers, Karuna Therapeutics, Hardy, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Reuters, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Pharma, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services Locations: drugmakers, EY, Europe, U.S, Cambridge , Massachusetts, Arda, EY's Americas, Bristol, Salt Lake City , Utah, Washington , DC

☆ 10 of our stocks report earnings next week. Here's what we want to see from each
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +16 min

All three major averages posted gains for the third consecutive week, lifted by solid quarterly earnings and positive economic data. Earnings season ramps up next week, with five of the Super Six mega-cap stocks delivering results. Employment numbers are the most important economic data, with Friday's January nonfarm payrolls report carrying the most weight. The January ISM Manufacturing report on Thursday and December's factory orders report Friday are expected to show the sector still in contraction mode. But earnings and commentary this week from peer Sartorious made us encouraged about a return to growth in 2024.

Persons: nonfarm, December's, Sartorious, We've, Stanley Black, Decker, We're, We'd, Royal Philips, Crane, Woodward, ServisFirst, Cadence Bancorporation, CADE, Johnson, Phillips, Avery Dennison, Columbus McKinnon, Robinson, SIRI, Cardinal Health, Parker, DOV, Pitney Bowes, Ferrari N.V, CSW, COLM, W.W, Grainger, Dwight Co, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim, Tim Cook, Justin Sullivan Organizations: Gross, Procter, Gamble, Gillette, Super, Consumer, JPM Healthcare, Amazon, Microsoft, Honeywell, Aerospace, Solutions, Apple Watch, Masimo, Vision Pro, Franklin Resources, Resource Partners, Bank of Marin Bancorp, Bank7 Corp, Pacific Premier Bancorp Inc, Provident Financial Holdings, Dynex, Cliffs Inc, Nucor Corp, Whirlpool Corp, F5 Networks, Capital Southwest Corp, Harbors Investment Corp, Crane Co, Payne, Equity, Heartland Financial, Cadence, FinWise Bancorp, Five Star Bancorp, PotlatchDeltic Corporation, Sanmina Corporation, Pfizer, General Motors Corp, United Parcel Service, JetBlue Airways Corporation, Smith Corp, Marathon Petroleum Corp, HCA Healthcare, Oshkosh Corporation, SYSCO Corp, Danaher Corp, Johnson Controls, M.D.C . Holdings, Commvault Systems Inc, Hope Bancorp, Hubbell Incorporated, Malibu Boats, Polaris Industries, Inc, Camden National Corp, Cambridge Bancorp, Microsoft Corp, Starbucks Corp, Devices, Electronic Arts Inc, Juniper Networks, Stryker Corp, Lending, Canadian, Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, Mondelez, Chubb Corporation, Modine Manufacturing, Partners, Management, Hawaiian Holdings, Manhattan Associates, Unum Group, UNM, Axos, Enova, Boston Properties, Boeing Co, Novo Nordisk, Mastercard Inc, Roper Technologies, Boston Scientific Corporation, MarketAxess Holdings, Fisher, Aptiv PLC, Hess Corp, Nasdaq, United Microelectronics Corp, Rockwell Automation, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd, Avery, Avery Dennison Corp, Extreme Networks, Otis Worldwide Corporation, OTIS, Columbus, Columbus McKinnon Corp, Central Pacific Financial Corp, Brinker International, Fortive Corporation, Qualcomm, Technology, Metlife, Hanover Insurance, Barn Holdings, CONMED Corporation, DLH Holdings Corp, Meritage Homes Corporation, Honeywell International, Eaton Corp, Altria, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, Merck, Co, Enterprise Products Partners, Dorian LPG, SiriusXM Holdings, Cardinal, Hannifin Corporation, Allegheny Technologies Incorporated, Tractor Supply Company, Trane Technologies, Dover Corp, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Brunswick Corporation, Dickinson, Canada Goose Holdings, Kirby Corp, WEC Energy Group, WestRock Company, Allegro MicroSystems, Ball Corporation, Broadridge Financial, BrightSphere Investment Group, CMS Energy Corp, Lancaster Colony Corp, Rogers Communications Inc, Sanofi, Apple, Atlassian Corporation, United States Steel Corp, Corp, Adtalem Global, Homes, DXC Technology Company, Eastman Chemical Company, Gen, Post Holdings, America, Columbia Sportswear Company, Exxon Mobil Corp, Chevron Corporation, Myers Squibb Co, CIGNA Corp, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Charter Communications, AON, Cboe, Dwight, Banco Santander, Jim Cramer's Charitable, CNBC, Apple Vision, Getty Locations: China, East, United States, Europe, Cleveland, Alexandria, California, Corning, Canadian Pacific, Teradyne, TER, Novo, Hanover, PBI, Skechers U.S.A, Bristol, Chile

☆ Monthly Meeting Q&A with Jim Cramer on 20 stocks in everything from tech to industrials to drugs
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Paulina Likos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

(Anthony) Jim Cramer: There were some China statistics that showed that the consumer was doing slightly better. (David) Jim Cramer: The roadblock is that the money is at the state level. (Narayan) Jim Cramer: " Own, don't trade" is about trying to keep us in a stock that otherwise we would trade out of. (Jim) Jim Cramer: First, I think we have to remember Ford actually has a lot of money on its balance sheet — a lot of cash. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade.

Persons: Jim Cramer's, Jeff Marks, Estee Lauder, Anthony, Jim Cramer, Wynn, It's, David, I'm, Narayan, it's, Steve Jobs, John, Tom Jorden, That's, Capex, Paul, Procter, Jim Farley, Jim, Ford, Shawn Fain, Farley, Donald, Larry Culp, He's, GEHC, Eli Lily, Louis, Lilly, Zepbound, We've, Alzheimer's, tirzepatide, hasn't, Edmundo, we've, haven't, Linde, Theresa, Jim Cramer Rob Kim Organizations: Investing Club, Club, Caterpillar, Amazon, Nvidia, Apple, Web Services, Natural Resources, Exxon, Procter, Gamble, United Auto Workers, GE Healthcare, Electric, GE, General, Merck, Drug Administration, Novo Nordisk, Linde, LIN, Trust, Barrick, CNBC Locations: China, reaccelerate, GEHC

REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 15 (Reuters) - The U.S. health regulator's staff on Wednesday flagged concerns that data on Merck's (MRK.N) chronic cough drug might not be enough to prove the treatment's meaningful benefit, documents released ahead of a meeting of independent experts showed. The concerns were raised after the company had submitted additional efficacy data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which declined to approve the drug in January last year. A panel of expert advisers to the FDA is set to meet on Friday to discuss the efficacy of Merck's drug gefapixant. Staff assessment of the data submitted by Merck showed a small reduction in cough frequency and side effects such as loss of taste in patients who were administered the drug. The European Union and Japan have approved Merck's drug for the condition and it is sold under the brand name Lyfnua.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Mara Goldstein, Christy Santhosh, Shinjini Ganguli, Anil D'Silva, Shailesh, Shounak Organizations: Merck, Co, REUTERS, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, FDA, Staff, European Union, Thomson Locations: Rahway , New Jersey, U.S, United States, Japan, Bengaluru

☆ Here are Thursday's biggest analyst calls: Nvidia, Disney, Tesla, Instacart, Arm, Rivian, Target & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Here are Thursday's biggest calls on Wall Street: Goldman Sachs initiates Apellis Pharmaceuticals as buy Goldman initiated the biotech company with a buy and says it sees "continued execution." Bank of America reiterates Disney as buy Bank of America said it's standing by its buy rating after Wednesday's earnings report. Goldman Sachs reiterates Arm as overweight Goldman said it's sticking with its buy rating after the stock's earnings report on Wednesday. Goldman Sachs reiterates Instacart as buy Goldman said it's sticking with its buy rating on the grocery delivery company after Instacart's earnings report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley reiterates Rivian as overweight Morgan Stanley said it's sticking with its overweight rating on the electric vehicle company. "

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Goldman, Tesla, WK Kellogg, Kellogg, Wolfe, Instacart, Morgan Stanley, Rivian, Eli Lilly, MRK's Keytruda, Evercore, it's bullish, Parker, Wells, it's, Hein Schumacher Organizations: Apellis Pharmaceuticals, HSBC, Tesla, Barclays, JPMorgan, Bank of America, Disney, ARM, Deutsche Bank, Deutsche, Merck, pharma, TAP, Industrial, Nvidia, Anheuser, Busch InBev, Bud, Offshore, Unilever, OW, Citi Locations: North America, Montrose

☆ These are Mizuho's top stock picks heading into November
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Mizuho's equity research team compiled its top buy-rated picks for the new month. The average price target for the stock, which is already up about 14% this year, implies an upside of about 15%. But the average analyst is bullish with a buy rating and price target implying an upside of almost 21%, per LSEG. The average Wall Street analyst rates EyePoint a buy, and the consensus price target implies the stock could skyrocket nearly 290%, per LSEG. The average analyst has a buy rating and price target reflecting 13.5% upside ahead, per LSEG.

Persons: Nitin Kumar, Mara Goldstein, Graig Suvannavejh, Siti Panigrahi, INTU, Panigrahi, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Mizuho, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Coterra Energy, Merck, Co, EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Intuit, Small Locations: Keytruda

☆ Sanofi loses $21 bln in market value after dropping 2025 profit target
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Ludwig Burger | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Under a push to spend more on immunology and inflammation drug development, the company abandoned a target for a 32% operating profit margin for 2025 to focus on "long-term profitability". EPS would see a strong rebound in 2025 but not enough to sustain the previous margin target. CONSUMER STAND-ALONECEO Hudson said the core innovative drugs business had improved enough to soon do without the more predictable cash flows from consumer products. The logo of French drugmaker Sanofi is seen a the Sanofi Genzyme Polyclonals in Lyon, France, September 30, 2023. The timing of the potential consumer listing, which Sanofi said would be in the fourth quarter of 2024 or later, would be set to maximize shareholder value.

Persons: Hudson, Sanofi, drugmaker, Paul Hudson, Terence McManus, Johnson, we've, Gonzalo Fuentes, Roche, Dupixent, Ludwig Burger, Sherry Jacob, Phillips, Mark Potter, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Sanofi, Bellevue Asset Management, Reuters, Barclays, Johnson, GSK, Pfizer, Bayer, Polyclonals, REUTERS, Provention, Merck & Co, Thomson Locations: France, Bellevue, Lyon, Paris

The government has been overseeing distribution of the treatments, alongside vaccines and tests, but has transferring that work to traditional commercial channels. Commercial ordering for the treatments is set to start on Nov. 1. Returns will begin on Nov. 15, the official said, and will be accepted through the end of the year. The government is recommending returns start in December enough time for the establishment of patient assistance programs and securing of commercially-labeled doses. Reporting by Ahmed Aboulenein Editing by Marguerita ChoyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Lagevrio, Ahmed Aboulenein, Marguerita Choy Organizations: U.S, Pfizer, Paxlovid, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, Thomson Locations: U.S

☆ Merck quarterly profit tops expectations on COVID pill surprise
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Michael Erman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Merck logo is seen at a gate to the Merck & Co campus in Rahway, New Jersey, U.S., July 12, 2018. Merck raised Lagevrio full-year sales forecast to $1.3 billion. Third-quarter sales of Merck's top-selling cancer immunotherapy, Keytruda, stood at $6.34 billion, surpassing analysts' average estimate of $6.22 billion. Gardasil, its vaccine to prevent cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), generated sales of $2.59 billion, rising 13% but missing analysts' average estimate of $2.69 billion. The company posted sales of $15.96 billion in the reported quarter, compared to the average analyst estimate of $15.3 billion.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Molnupiravir, Merck, Wells, Mohit Bansal, drugmaker, Michael Erman, Leroy Leo, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Merck, Co, REUTERS, Merck & Co, Pfizer's, Thomson Locations: Rahway , New Jersey, U.S, Japan, United States, EU

☆ Roche's $7 bln deal is pricey and partial cure
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Roche tablets are seen positioned in front of a displayed Roche logo in this photo illustration shot January 22, 2016. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Oct 23 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Roche (ROG.S) has taken a small step towards curing its drug pipeline problem. JPMorgan analysts estimate that the drug’s U.S. sales could peak at 2.4 billion Swiss francs ($2.7 billion), but will take until 2037 to get there, assuming a 2028 launch. Analysts expect Roche’s pharmaceutical division to generate revenue of almost 45 billion Swiss francs this year, according to estimates compiled by LSEG. With expected free cash flow of around 16 billion Swiss francs this year and next, Roche can afford to buy a little more diversification.

Persons: Roche, Dado Ruvic, Thomas Schinecker, Peter Thal Larsen, Jean, Pierre Mustier, Atos, Jonathan Guilford, Aditya Sriwatsav Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Pfizer, U.S, New, JPMorgan, Merck, Prometheus Biosciences, Analysts, LSEG, X, News Corp, Thomson Locations: Swiss, U.S

New Roche CEO Thomas Schinecker is keen to restore Roche's battered drug development record after major late-stage trial setbacks in the areas of Alzheimer's and cancer immunotherapy last year. The acquired drug, against inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, belongs to a class of new treatments known as anti-TL1A antibodies which has attracted major deal activity in the pharma industry. Merck & Co (MRK.N) in April agreed to buy anti-TL1A antibody developer Prometheus Biosciences for $10.8 billion. Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic gastrointestinal disorders with almost 8 million people diagnosed worldwide and 80% of all individuals not experiencing lasting remission, Roche said. "We strongly believe this novel TL1A directed antibody has the transformational potential to make a significant difference for patients living with inflammatory bowel disease and potentially other diseases," said Roche CEO Schinecker.

Persons: drugmaker Roche, Arnd, New Roche, Thomas Schinecker, Schinecker, Roche, John Revill, Ludwig Burger, Friederike Heine, Jason Neely Organizations: REUTERS, Roivant Holdings, Pfizer Inc, pharma, Sanofi, Merck & Co, Prometheus Biosciences, Thomson Locations: Basel, Switzerland, ZURICH, FRANKFURT, Swiss, U.S, Japan, Zurich, Frankfurt

☆ Earnings playbook: How to trade a busy week of reports from companies including Microsoft and Meta
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Fred Imbert | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

Tuesday General Motors is set to report earnings before the bell, followed by a call at 8:30 a.m. Coca-Cola is set to report earnings in the premarket, with a call slated for 8:30 .am. Wednesday Boeing is set to report earnings in the premarket, with leadership scheduled to hold a call at 10:30 a.m. Ford Motor is set to report earnings after the bell, followed by a conference call at 5 p.m. This quarter: The e-commerce giant is expected to report earnings per share growth of more than 100%, according to LSEG.

Persons: Michael Wayland, they'll, Andrea Teixeira, MSFT, Jordan Novet, GOOGL, Justin Post, MRK, Goldman Sachs, Chris Shibutani, Keytruda, Ford, AMZN, Doug Anmuth, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Big Tech, Microsoft, Meta, Wall, CNBC, GM, LSEG, United Auto Workers, Investment Group, Coca, U.S, Activision, Wednesday Boeing, Boeing, Management, Bank of America, IBM, Merck, Ford, UAW, Detroit, JPMorgan Locations: Missouri, EVs, China, Apptio

☆ 3 things to watch in the stock market next week as bond yields hover at 2007 highs
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-21 | by ( Matthew J. Belvedere | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

The usual suspects were to blame — rising bond yields, geopolitical tensions, and oil prices — and will hold the keys to the market this coming week. Earnings are one of the three major themes on the marquee next week, with 10 Club companies reporting. Here are the companies: Danaher (DHR), Microsoft (MSFT), Alphabet (GOOGL), Meta Platforms (META), Veralto (VLTO), Honeywell (HON), Linde (LIN), Amazon (AMZN), Ford (F) and Stanley Black & Decker (SWK). As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio.

Persons: —, Jerome Powell, Jim Cramer, Jim, Morgan Stanley, Stanley Black, Decker, Danaher, Veralto, it's, Mark Zuckerberg, We're, Vimal Kapur, Linde, Jim Farley, Ford, FactSet, Powell, WTI, Baker Hughes, Edwards Lifesciences, Northrop, CARR, Davidson, Dr Pepper, Phillips, Jim Cramer's, Michael M Organizations: Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Economic, of New, Treasury, West Texas, Procter, Gamble, 10, Microsoft, Honeywell, Linde, LIN, Health Care, Technology, Communications Services, Google, Meta, Ford, Amazon, United Auto Workers, Atlanta, Wall Street, Hamas, Brent, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Logitech, Verizon, General Electric, GE, RTX Corporation, Halliburton, HAL, General Motors, Dow Chemical, DOW, Xerox, Texas Instruments, F5 Networks, WM, Boeing, Fisher, Mobile, Hilton, General Dynamics, Norfolk Southern, Otis Worldwide, IBM, KLA, O'Reilly Automotive, Mattel, Whirlpool, Gross, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Hershey Company, United Parcel Service, Southwest Airlines, Altria, Northrop Grumman, Valero Energy Corp, Mastercard, Merck, Co, Myers Squibb, Newmont, Tractor Supply Company, Comcast, Seagate Technology, Boston, Hertz, Carrier, Hasbro, Harley, Intel, Grill, United States Steel, Boston Beer Company, Texas, University of Michigan, Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Charter Communications, Colgate, Palmolive, Newell Brands, Sanofi, Jim Cramer's Charitable, CNBC, Traders, New York Stock Exchange, Santiago, Getty Locations: of New York, U.S, Industrials, OpenAI, America, Venezuela, Cleveland, Norfolk, ORLY, Bristol, Brunswick, Oshkosh, New York City

☆ Merck’s cancer rush may spawn lower returns
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The American drug company said on Thursday it signed a giant deal with Daiichi Sankyo (4568.T) for the rights to sell three potential drugs outside Japan. Merck will pay $4 billion upfront, up to another $1.5 billion over the next two years, and as much as $16.5 billion if the drugs pass certain sales milestones. Merck’s Keytruda accounts for about 40% of the company’s revenue, and that cancer drug might face cut-price competition before the end of the decade. The potential is giant, as these targeted therapies might eventually account for a quarter of the current oncology market. With over 100 of these drugs in clinical trials, the stampede might lead to lower-than-expected returns.

Persons: Jeff Zelevansky, Robert Cyran, Jean, Pierre Mustier, Atos, Jennifer Saba, Aditya Sriwatsav Organizations: Merck & Co, REUTERS, Reuters, Merck, Pfizer, X, News Corp, Thomson Locations: Linden , New Jersey, American, Japan

☆ UBS upgrades this biopharma giant with an underappreciated treatment pipeline
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Lisa Kailai Han | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Investors may not be fully pricing in Merck 's strong treatment pipeline, according to UBS. Analyst Trung Huynh expects that "underappreciated pipeline readouts" will be the primary contributor to multiple expansion for the company. Huynh also noted that investors continue to underestimate the value of two key Merck treatments: Keytruda — used in cancer immunotherapy — and Gardasil, a vaccine targeting HPV. The analyst added that these two treatments and other underappreciated catalysts have all contributed to Merck's above-peer growth profile. The upgrade comes after the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Keytruda for treatment with "platinum-containing chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment " on Monday.

Persons: Trung Huynh, Huynh, —, Michael Bloom Organizations: Merck, UBS, Food and Drug Administration Locations: China

☆ US plans shift of Merck COVID treatment to commercial market
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Michael Erman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A COVID-19 treatment pill, called molnupiravir developed by Merck & Co and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics LP is seen in this undated handout photo released by Merck & Co Inc and obtained by Reuters May 17, 2021. Merck & Co Inc/Handout via REUTERS/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 4 (Reuters) - The U.S. government will stop distributing free doses of Merck & Co's (MRK.N) COVID-19 antiviral treatment molnupiravir by the middle of next month and expects it to be sold on the commercial market instead. Molnupiravir was initially hailed as a potential breakthrough when few treatment options were available but was soon eclipsed by Pfizer's (PFE.N) rival treatment Paxlovid, which had more impressive data. Merck said the study was limited and that it is confident in the clinical profile of the drug. Merck said it would have a patient assistance program for people who cannot afford the drug.

Persons: Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, Molnupiravir, Merck, Michael Erman, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Merck & Co, Merck & Co Inc, Reuters, Merck, Co Inc, REUTERS, U.S, Co's, Administration, Strategic Preparedness, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, Pfizer's, Thomson Locations: U.S, United States

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on Social Security and Medicare at the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida, U.S. February 9, 2023. The ruling is the first to come from multiple lawsuits by drug companies and industry groups challenging the program. The drug price negotiation program is part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which Biden, a Democrat, signed last year. The Biden administration has repeatedly said there is nothing in the Constitution that prohibits drug price negotiations. Many other countries already negotiate drug prices.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, vindicating, Joe Biden's, Michael Newman, Biden, drugmakers, Newman, Karine Jean, Pierre, Donald Trump, Johnson, Januvia, Bristol Myers, Boehringer, Brendan Pierson, Nate Raymond, Costas Pitas, Alexia Garamfalvi, Bill Berkrot, Chris Reese, Leslie Adler Organizations: Social Security, University of Tampa, REUTERS, U.S, District, U.S . Chamber of Commerce, Medicare, Commerce, U.S . Justice, Republicans, Big Pharma, Republican, U.S . Centers, Medicaid Service, CMS, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Johnson, Merck, Co's, Pharmaceutical Research, Manufacturers of America, Companies, Thomson Locations: Tampa , Florida, U.S, Dayton , Ohio, New York, Boston

☆ Moderna ties up with Immatics to boost cancer vaccine development
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Syringes with needles are seen in front of a displayed Moderna logo in this illustration taken, November 27, 2021. Moderna said the companies would use Immatics' drug discovery platform to develop mRNA-based cancer vaccines, and also study its own cancer vaccine for use in combination with Immatics' cancer therapy IMA203. Moderna is already developing a cancer vaccine with Merck (MRK.N), which was shown to cut the risk of recurrence or death by 44% in patients with deadly skin cancer melanoma, in a mid-stage trial. Under the terms of collaboration, Moderna will lead the development and commercialization of the cancer vaccines resulting from the collaboration, while Immatics will be responsible for pre-clinical and potential early-stage studies. Immatics will also receive research funding and is eligible for development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments that could exceed $1.7 billion, Moderna said.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Moderna, Immatics, Christy Santhosh, Anil D'Silva, Shounak Organizations: REUTERS, Moderna, Merck, Thomson Locations: COVID, Bengaluru

☆ Medicare wants to cut the price on an Eli Lilly drug. What it means for LLY shares
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Kevin Stankiewicz | In Kevinstankiewicz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Eli Lilly's revenue from Jardiance — which it markets alongside privately held German biotech firm Boehringer Ingelheim — is likely to suffer due to Medicare negotiations. Compared to those growth drivers, Jardiance is a minor character in the Eli Lilly investment story. However, the deceleration is not entirely due to likely lower realized prices from Medicare negotiations. Eli Lilly looks "relatively protected" from early Medicare negotiations, BMO's Seigmerman said. Eli Lilly headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana, US, on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.

Persons: Eli Lilly, Biden, Myers Squibb, Johnson, Eli Lilly's, —, Evan Seigerman, Seigerman, BMO's Seigmerman, Lilly, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim, AJ Mast Organizations: pharma, Myers, Club, Johnson, Medicare, donanemab, Bank of America, FactSet, Mounjaro, Merck, Constitution, Wall Street, Bristol Myers Squibb, BMO Capital, CNBC, Services, drugmakers, and Drug Administration, FDA, Trulicity, Bloomberg, Getty Locations: Bristol, U.S, Indianapolis , Indiana

☆ Explainer: Why the US is negotiating the price of 10 drugs
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Patrick Wingrove | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

What are the Medicare drug price negotiations? The Medicare agency, known as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), was previously forbidden by law from bartering prices with manufacturers. The negotiations must end by Aug. 1, and Medicare will publish its list of new prices on Sept. 1. The process will begin again in February of 2025, when CMS selects another 15 costly prescription drugs for negotiations, with new prices on those going into effect in 2027. All the lawsuits seeking to avoid drug price negotiations argue that the new law is unconstitutional.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, Joe Biden’s, Patrick Wingrove, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Major Economies, White, REUTERS, U.S, Merck, Co's, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Medicare, Medicaid Services, CMS, U.S . Chamber of Commerce, Thomson Locations: Energy, Washington , U.S

He said that once implemented, the prices on negotiated drugs will decrease for up to 9 million seniors who currently pay as much as $6,497 in out-of-pocket costs per year for these prescriptions. This kicks off the negotiation process for the 10 drugs whose new prices will go into effect in 2026. U.S. laws had prohibited Medicare from negotiating pharmaceutical prices as part of its prescription drug program that began about 20 years ago. CMS Director Dr. Meena Seshamani said Medicare plans to use a review process to make sure insurance companies keep clinically appropriate access to negotiated drugs. Two analysts said they expect the negotiated prices to move beyond Medicare and affect commercial markets for these drugs by 2026, when they come into effect.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Biden, Joe Biden’s, Januvia, Xarelto, Johnson, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly's, Jardiance, Mohit Bansal, Entresto, Eli Lilly, Merck, Bristol Myers, Giovanni Caforio, Caforio, enrollees, Meena Seshamani, Stelara, Amgen, Evan Seigerman, Patrick Wingrove, Mike Erman, Manas Mishra, Nandita Bose, Caroline Humer, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Social Security, University of Tampa, REUTERS, U.S, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Merck, Co's, Johnson, Novo Nordisk, NYSE Arca Pharmaceutical, U.S . Centers, Medicare, Medicaid Services, Reuters Graphics Wells, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Bristol, J, U.S . Department of Health, Human Services, BMO Capital, Thomson Locations: Tampa , Florida, U.S, Amgen's, Jardiance, Germany, Bengaluru, Washington

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