McKesson's Misses For 5th Consecutive Quarter - Buying Opportunity?

Noah Kiedrowski - INO.com Contributor - Biotech


Introduction

McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) missed Q3 2017 numbers and this marks the fifth consecutive quarter in which McKesson has missed its revenue targets. The stock sold off shapely as a result of its recent revenue miss, sliding 8.3% or $12.55 per share. McKesson has paid dearly for this string of revenue misses, shedding over $102 per share or 42.5% from its all-time highs in May of 2015 falling from $240 to roughly $138 as of recent trading (Figure 1). There’s been a tremendous amount of pressure regarding the pharmaceutical supply chain in terms of pricing competition and potential erosion of the pharmaceutical wholesaler model. As if this wasn’t enough, social and political pressures over drug pricing have exacerbated these issues to the point of fierce pricing competition and the slowing of drug price increases (negatively impacting McKesson’s ability to take larger dollar amount cuts from the volume of business). As the negative sentiment is priced into the stock and acquisitions starting to bear fruit, will this finally be the turning point? Continue reading "McKesson's Misses For 5th Consecutive Quarter - Buying Opportunity?"

Preview Issue #9: Theranos Layoffs, Amgen Wins and Potential Obamacare Repeal

INO Health & Biotech Stock Guide

Preview Issue #9 - January 25, 2017

BIOTECH, HEALTH & PHARMA NEWS

2017 is kicking off to be an eventful year in the healthcare space. Regeneron was handed a devastating blow in federal court in a lawsuit filed by Amgen surrounding its cholesterol-lowering drug Praluent. Amgen claimed that Regeneron’s Praluent infringed on Amgen’s patents and competing drug Repatha in a long-standing patent lawsuit. Amgen previously won a trial in which Regeneron was shown to have infringed on two patents covering a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs. The most recent ruling stipulates that Regeneron must stop selling Praluent in the U.S. altogether due to “irreparable harm” to Amgen. It’s extremely rare to see a ruling in which a drug is ordered to be removed from the market as opposed to a financial penalty or royalties. Monetary implications at the moment are minor as Praluent and Repatha have had minimal sales through the first 9 months of 2016 of $75 million and $83 million, respectively. Despite these numbers, if positive data comes to fruition that extends a clinical benefit to more patients in lowering rates of heart attacks, strokes and death then Amgen’s drug could gain broader insurance coverage and ultimately sell $2-$4 billion on an annual basis worldwide. Amgen shares popped 5% on the news while Regeneron shares sank 6% albeit shares were halted once the ruling came down.

WHAT'S NEXT

Continue reading "Preview Issue #9: Theranos Layoffs, Amgen Wins and Potential Obamacare Repeal"

Is McKesson Investable Again?

Noah Kiedrowski - INO.com Contributor - Biotech


Introduction

Is McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) investable again now that the fallout over its missed Q2 2017 numbers has been absorbed and the negative sentiment priced into the stock. Although this was the fourth consecutive quarter in which McKesson has missed revenue targets, McKesson has sold off by ~$100 per share or 42% from its all-time highs in May of 2015 falling from $240 to roughly $140 as of recent trading (Figure 1). In February I wrote a piece on McKesson stating that I felt McKesson presented a buying opportunity when the stock sank to a 52-week low of $148 per share. As that call began to come to fruition, I wrote a series of follow-up articles voicing caution as the share price appreciated. As shares appreciated ~30% by reaching the ~$200 level in the summer, I was hesitant due to pressures regarding the pharmaceutical supply chain and earnings from other pharmaceutical wholesalers such as Cardinal Health. At that time, I had relinquished my position in McKesson due to the run-up in share price and the growing concerns of the business model in combination with social and political pressures. As these pressures mounted the stock witnessed another double-digit fall from the ~$200 level to ~$125 during the back half of 2016. Now that the stock has stabilized at the $140 level, boasts a reasonable P/E ratio, more certainty surrounding the political backdrop and acquisitions coming full circle, McKesson may be an investable stock once again. Continue reading "Is McKesson Investable Again?"

McKesson Craters - Misses Q2 2017 Estimates and Lowers Guidance

Noah Kiedrowski - INO.com Contributor - Biotech


Overview

McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) recently reported Q2 2017 numbers that missed analysts’ expectations on both EPS and revenue, missing by $0.11 per share and $1.25 billion, respectively. This was the fourth consecutive quarter in which McKesson has missed revenue targets. As a result of the most recent miss, shares of McKesson sank by ~$40 per share or 23% beginning in after-hours trading and through the next trading day (Figure 1). In February I wrote a piece on McKesson stating that I felt McKesson presented a buying opportunity when the stock sank to a 52-week low of $148 per share. As that call began to come to fruition, I wrote a series of follow-up articles voicing caution as the share price appreciated. On March 21st I framed my thesis as being well intact as the shares appreciated to the mid $150s. On May 29th I stated that concerns remained despite the solid Q4 2016 quarterly earnings as shares appreciated to the low $180s. On July 20th I stated that shares had appreciated 34% by reaching the ~$200 level and at that point, I was hesitant due to pressures regarding the pharmaceutical supply chain and earnings from other pharmaceutical wholesalers such as Cardinal Health. At the writing of the July 20th article, I had relinquished my position in McKesson due to the run-up in share price and the growing concerns of the business model in combination with social and political pressures.

Chart of McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK)
Figure 1 – McKesson’s free fall after missing Q2 2017 earnings and lowering guidance

Continue reading "McKesson Craters - Misses Q2 2017 Estimates and Lowers Guidance"

Why The Election Is Not As Relevant To Drug Stocks As You Might Believe

Due to drug pricing controversies, there has been much concern about how the outcome of the upcoming election will affect pharmaceutical stocks. Dr. Len Yaffe of Stoc*Doc Partners sheds light on the issues in this analysis of drug price negotiation policy, and focuses in on one California ballot proposition that aims to rein in costs.

One issue of focus in the election rhetoric is Medicare drug price negotiation, which is specifically precluded in the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. Furthermore, a noninterference provision was included: Continue reading "Why The Election Is Not As Relevant To Drug Stocks As You Might Believe"