New Drug on the Block

Last week Novartis AG received approval from both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and European regulators for secukinumab, its new plaque psoriasis treatment that will be sold under the name Cosentyx.

Analysts estimate that annual revenues for its treatment could add up to $1.1 billion in sales by 2020, putting it into the blockbuster category.

Switzerland-based Novartis (NYSE: NVS) is a member of our Conservative Portfolio.

Today the company reported fourth quarter 2014 numbers, including a drop in profits, mainly due to a $1.1 billion charge linked to selling its flu vaccines business. Profits dropped 26.5%, though for the full year profits were up, hitting $10.3 billion, a 12% bump from 2013’s profits.

And at $1.21 per share, the fourth quarter earnings beat the consensus analyst estimate of $1.19.

Novartis, the world’s biggest drug maker by sales, was upbeat about 2015. CEO Joseph Jimenez said he was “confident” about prospects for the year ahead. This despite a surge in the Swiss franc, which came after the Swiss central bank removed a cap on its value, causing the currency. Jimenez said he doesn’t expect the currency change to have a material effect on sales.

The company is well-diversified internationally, so only about 12% of its costs pass through Switzerland, which softens the current affect. Management said it would review its Swiss cost base but that it has no plans to relocate its headquarters out of Switzerland. 

 

Stock Talk

Dennis Luiten

Dennis Luiten

Do you recommend buying Novartis now?

Richard Stavros

Richard Stavros

Dennis –
Thanks for your question. Novartis, though having a mixed quarter recently, is expected to continue to deliver strong income as core operating income is expected to increase at a slightly faster rate – even when accounting for currency issues. In fact, the company recently increased the dividend.

And we think the sweeping overhaul of Novartis, aimed at refocusing it on three core businesses—pharmaceuticals, eye care and generics—where it told the Wall Street Journal it has the size and reach to compete as the global pharmaceutical industry consolidates – is an excellent, well thought out plan.

Global Income Edge added Novartis to the Conservative Portfolio in January 2015 and is, was, and continues to be rated a Buy.

All the best –

Richard

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