In a counter-industry trend (most pharma companies are enjoying higher ratings, due to their perceived defensive postures, in down-beat economic times) -- Leerink Swann, in the person of Seamus Fernandez -- just downgraded Schering-Plough:
January 30, 3009
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Leerink Swann
ACTION: SGP
Downgrade
FROM: Outperform
TO: Market Perform
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Quoth Forbes:
. . . .[S]aying there are no major catalysts for financial growth in the coming year. Fernandez based the downgrade on surveys with health care providers. . . .
Fernandez noted that 65 percent of cardiologists surveyed do not expect the [IMPROVE-IT -- due out in 2012] study to show a significant advantage for Vytorin. Fernandez also said that the slumping economy will only encourage doctors and patients to seek out cheaper, generic substitute drugs.
"We find it difficult to recommend that investors put new money to work in" Schering at this time, Fernandez concluded. . . .
Schering-Plough is trading below $17.70, this morning -- after an intra-day high of $19.99 as recently as January 26, 2009. That wasn't even four full days ago. The downgrade comes only two days before 2008 year-end results are to be announced, to boot. Ouch.
1 comment:
This is interesting in light of your previous posts and some other things.
Last spring you posted another analyst saying their target price for SP was $25. Now I won't say what else occurred on the day before that but maybe when I have some time I'll tell you more.
Also yesterday the house passed the economic stimulus bill and guess what Rep. Van Hollen included the Whistleblower Protection Act as an amendment.
Now as a constituent of Rep. Van Hollen I just happened to call his office last week and made a suggestion and stated that I hoped to see some response in the press within a week. Now this is not what I expected but it does give me some encouragement.
Salmon
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