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On Thursday, Citi analyst Geoff Meacham maintained a Neutral rating and a $27.00 price target on Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) stock, which currently trades near its 52-week low at $25.21. According to InvestingPro analysis, the pharmaceutical giant, with a market capitalization of $143 billion, appears undervalued at current levels. The rating reiteration comes amidst reports of an ongoing investigation into the company’s COVID-19 vaccine announcement timing. U.S. prosecutors are reportedly examining claims that Pfizer withheld news of its vaccine’s success until after the 2020 presidential election.
The investigation appears to be focused on allegations that were previously made public by former President Trump and have since been a subject of dispute. GSK, the current employer of the scientist at the center of these allegations, is said to be cooperating with the prosecutors. The scientist has denied the claims associated with the delay.
Despite the potential concerns the investigation might raise, Meacham suggests that the impact on Pfizer’s long-term prospects is expected to be minimal. The analyst’s view aligns with InvestingPro’s financial health assessment, which rates Pfizer as ’GOOD’ with strong profitability metrics and a solid revenue base of $63.63 billion. The analyst’s commentary points out that while the investigation news might initially cause some apprehension, the more pressing issues for Pfizer’s stock price are the ongoing IRA negotiations and the loss of exclusivity on several key drugs, which could keep the stock range-bound in the near future.
Meacham’s report indicates a stance that the current legal scrutiny is unlikely to significantly influence Pfizer’s market performance. The company is also navigating other challenges, such as the potential financial impacts from policy changes and the expiration of exclusive rights to certain medications.
In conclusion, Citi’s position on Pfizer remains unchanged with a Hold recommendation and a price target of $27, as the firm anticipates these factors to influence the stock’s trajectory in the short term. Notable for income investors, Pfizer maintains a significant 6.82% dividend yield and has raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years. For deeper insights into Pfizer’s valuation and comprehensive financial analysis, investors can access the detailed Pro Research Report available on InvestingPro.
In other recent news, Pfizer Inc. has completed the sale of its entire stake in Haleon, generating approximately $3.24 billion. This transaction involved the sale of 618 million shares to institutional investors and a repurchase of 44 million shares by Haleon itself. Additionally, Pfizer is under scrutiny as U.S. prosecutors investigate claims regarding the timing of its Covid-19 vaccine announcement, with allegations suggesting a delay for political reasons. The investigation, initiated by reports from a former Pfizer scientist now with GSK, has raised concerns about potential reputational impacts on the company.
Moreover, Pfizer, alongside Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) and Novavax (NASDAQ:NVAX), experienced a drop in shares following reports of U.S. plans to cut financial support for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. This decision could affect vaccine distribution in developing countries, potentially impacting future demand for vaccines from these manufacturers. In another development, Pfizer’s collaboration with Arvinas on the vepdegestrant trial showed mixed results. While the trial met its primary endpoint for a specific mutation group, it did not achieve statistical significance in the overall population, leading to a significant decline in Arvinas stock.
These recent developments have drawn attention from various analyst firms, with potential implications for Pfizer’s operations and collaborations. The ongoing investigation and changes in funding for global vaccine initiatives are being closely monitored by investors and industry stakeholders.
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