Health and Healthcare

Amgen Posts 52-Week High, Beats It Again After Earnings

Pills
Thinkstock
Drug maker Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) reported third-quarter 2014 results after markets closed Monday afternoon. The biotech company reported quarterly adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.30 and revenues of $5.03 billion. In the same period a year ago, Amgen reported EPS of $1.94 on revenues of $4.75 billion. Third-quarter results also compare to the Thomson Reuters consensus estimates for EPS of $2.11 and $4.96 billion in revenues.

Quarterly adjusted net income rose 19% from $1.48 billion in the year-ago quarter to $1.77 billion this year. Amgen posted $376 million in restructuring charges in the quarter and expects to charge up to $150 million to restructuring in the fourth quarter. Operating expenses fell 5% year-over-year in the third quarter, and operating margin rose 6.9% to 46.7%.

Gross margin fell from 64.6% in the year-ago quarter to 59.3%, primarily due to restructuring charges and acquisition costs. On a non-GAAP basis, the decline in gross margin reflects the impacts of lost patent protection, product mix and pricing pressure in mature markets.

Amgen forecasts full-year 2014 revenues in a range of $19.8 billion to $20 billion and adjusted EPS in a range of $8.45 to $8.55. Capital spending for the year is estimated at $800 million.

The company’s CEO said:

With regulatory submissions for four new products during the quarter, we are at the beginning of an exciting new product cycle. We look forward to describing progress in our long-term growth strategy and opportunities to build additional shareholder value during our Business Review meeting tomorrow.

Total product sales rose 4% year-over-year. The increase was mainly driven by four products: Kyprolis (up 21%), Prolia (up 43%), Neulasta (up 5%) and Xgeva (up 22%).

Shares of Amgen’s stock traded about 0.6% higher in Monday’s after-hours session at $149.00. The stock’s 52-week range is $108.20 to $148.47, a new high set Monday. Amgen looks on its way to a new 52-week high again Tuesday. Thomson Reuters had a consensus analyst price target of around $145.00 before the report.

ALSO READ: The 10 States With the Worst Quality of Life

It’s Your Money, Your Future—Own It (sponsor)

Retirement can be daunting, but it doesn’t need to be.

Imagine having an expert in your corner to help you with your financial goals. Someone to help you determine if you’re ahead, behind, or right on track. With SmartAsset, that’s not just a dream—it’s reality. This free tool connects you with pre-screened financial advisors who work in your best interests. It’s quick, it’s easy, so take the leap today and start planning smarter!

Don’t waste another minute; get started right here and help your retirement dreams become a retirement reality.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.

AI Portfolio

Discover Our Top AI Stocks

Our expert who first called NVIDIA in 2009 is predicting 2025 will see a historic AI breakthrough.

You can follow him investing $500,000 of his own money on our top AI stocks for free.