What is new -- and highly unusual -- is for Whitehouse Station to schedule a business update (at the newly expanding Boston R&D site, no less!), only one week thereafter -- at 9 a.m. EDT, while the NYSE is open, and trading. One version of this press strategy would contemplate that the team will take questions about an announcement made a few minutes before the market open, on the NYSE. One that differs, in kind -- from regular quarterly results/business reviews.
In short, one that announces a divestiture -- and the transfer of related Merck debt (more speculatively), to a buyer -- likely in Europe. And likely involving Consumer Health -- but it could also involve Animal Health. Here's the late-breaking announcement.
. . . .Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, will hold an Investor Briefing on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 starting at 9:00 a.m. EDT at its research facility in Boston, MA. During the event, members of Merck's senior management will detail the company's research strategy, showcase candidates from the research and development pipeline and provide a business update.
There will be a live webcast of the event available on Merck's website. . . .
We expect GAAP EPS of $0.49 -- consistent with consensus, on Wall Street -- pre market tomorrow. We also expect significant currency headwinds, at the sales line -- something like 3 per cent.
Now -- will my weekend musings prove wingingly-prophetic -- or clay-footed? Now we wait, to find out. Stay dry, and sheltered, one and all, today.
