Health and Healthcare

Amgen Treated Like a Normal Drug Stock

Amgen (AMGN-NASDAQ) posted EPS of $0.90, but $0.71 on GAAP EPS.  Revenues were $3.73 Billion versus $3.7 Billion estimates.  Revenues are projected for $15.4 to $16 Billion for 2007 and adjusted EPS put for 2007 at $4.30 to $4.50.  Estimates for the quarter were $0.94 to $0.95 depending on your consensus, but 2007 estimates are $4.43.

The stock closed down 0.4% at $74.85 and is down almost 2% around $73.50 in the initial reaction.  At the mid-point this is only a 17 P/E for 2007, so investors aren’t willing to pay up for Amgen’s earnings based on Congressional scares and potential patent issues in 2008 and beyond.  The valuation isn’t the issue here, because this ons has been cheaper than many Big Pharma stocks for a while.   Its market cap is $87 Billion.

Amgen is no longer treated like a biotech, it’s treated like a plain Jane drug stock.  That might not be fair, but the market sets the rules.

Jon C. Ogg
January 25, 2007

Credit Card Companies Are Doing Something Nuts

Credit card companies are at war. The biggest issuers are handing out free rewards and benefits to win the best customers.

It’s possible to find cards paying unlimited 1.5%, 2%, and even more today. That’s free money for qualified borrowers, and the type of thing that would be crazy to pass up. Those rewards can add up to thousands of dollars every year in free money, and include other benefits as well.

We’ve assembled some of the best credit cards for users today.  Don’t miss these offers because they won’t be this good forever.

Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

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