On Monday, TD Cowen maintained a Buy rating on Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) and slightly raised the price target to $383 from $381. The adjustment reflects an updated valuation model ahead of the biotechnology company's third-quarter earnings. The new price target represents a valuation of 19 times the firm's fiscal year 2025 non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) estimate, which has been revised to $20.16, a decrease of $1.03 from previous estimates.
The analyst from TD Cowen anticipates that Amgen could surpass revenue expectations for certain products in the third quarter. This forecast is based on the performance of several of Amgen's key franchises, including Enbrel, Nplate, Repatha, Otezla, Mvasi, Tezspire, and Tepezza, which are expected to perform above market consensus. Conversely, other products such as Prolia, Xgeva, Kyprolis, Vectibix, and Evenity may meet or fall short of consensus estimates.
The report also highlighted upcoming data releases as points of interest for investors and analysts. Key data from high-profile clinical trials, such as the MariTide Phase 2 obesity study and Tezspire Phase 3 trial for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), are expected to be released in the fourth quarter of 2024.
The investment firm's outlook suggests a cautious optimism surrounding Amgen's portfolio, with particular attention on the potential for certain products to drive revenue growth. The slight increase in the price target reflects the firm's confidence in Amgen's stock performance and its upcoming clinical trial results.
In other recent news, Amgen has been in the limelight with significant developments. Goldman Sachs has reiterated its Conviction Buy rating on Amgen, highlighting the potential upside with positive MariTide results in the obesity treatment market. The firm anticipates a substantial market opportunity for obesity treatments, projecting a total addressable market of $130 billion by 2030.
TD Cowen has also maintained a Buy rating on Amgen, following the presentation of Phase 3 MINT trial data for Uplizna, a treatment for myasthenia gravis. However, Truist Securities has downgraded Amgen's rating from Buy to Hold, citing competitive market conditions and the early stage of certain assets, while simultaneously increasing the price target.
Furthermore, Amgen is also confronting a proposed class-action lawsuit over an alleged $10.7 billion tax and penalties bill potentially owed to the Internal Revenue Service. Despite these challenges, the company has received approval for TEPEZZA, a treatment for thyroid eye disease, in Japan, and Otezla, a medication for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in children and adolescents, by the FDA.
InvestingPro Insights
Complementing TD Cowen's analysis, InvestingPro data reveals that Amgen's market capitalization stands at $172.84 billion, underscoring its position as a major player in the biotechnology sector. The company's revenue growth of 16.37% over the last twelve months aligns with the analyst's expectations of strong performance from key franchises.
InvestingPro Tips highlight Amgen's consistent dividend history, having raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years and maintained payments for 14 years. This track record of financial stability could be attractive to investors seeking reliable income streams. Additionally, the company's current dividend yield of 2.8% may appeal to income-focused investors.
However, it's worth noting that Amgen is trading at a high P/E ratio of 55.16, which investors should consider in light of TD Cowen's revised earnings estimates. The stock's proximity to its 52-week high, as indicated by another InvestingPro Tip, suggests that the market has been optimistic about Amgen's prospects.
For those interested in a deeper analysis, InvestingPro offers 11 additional tips on Amgen, providing a more comprehensive view of the company's financial health and market position.
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