Genmab stock downgraded by JPMorgan as costs threaten 2025 earnings

Published 20/08/2024, 08:22
Genmab stock downgraded by JPMorgan as costs threaten 2025 earnings

On Tuesday, JPMorgan issued a downgrade for Genmab (NASDAQ:GMAB) A/S (GEN:DC) (NASDAQ: GMAB), shifting the stock from Overweight to Neutral. The firm also adjusted the price target to DKK2,050.00 from the prior DKK2,500.00.

Citing recent developments, the firm anticipates a potential 15% to 22% downside to consensus 2025 and 2026 EBIT forecasts due to underappreciated increases in operational expenditure. JPMorgan analysts believe current topline and gross margin/operational expenditure assumptions may be overly optimistic.

The firm has placed Genmab shares on Negative Catalyst Watch, indicating a cautious stance ahead of the company's third-quarter results, which are expected to be released on November 6th. The watch status reflects the anticipation that the market will pay closer attention to the company's 2025 estimates in the upcoming months.

A critical factor for Genmab's pipeline is Johnson & Johnson's decision regarding the opt-in on HexabodyCD38 (HBCD38), which is expected to be updated early in 2025.

The outcome of this decision is considered difficult to predict due to the limited data available and the long timelines involved in drug development. JPMorgan analysts forecast a significant double-digit movement in Genmab's share price, which is contingent on the results of this decision. Due to these uncertainties and the potential for high volatility, the firm has adopted a more neutral stance on the stock.

In addition to the rating change, JPMorgan has revised its long-term price target for Genmab, setting it at DKK 2,750 by December 2025, a slight adjustment from the previous target of DKK 2,700 by June 2025.

This revised target reflects the firm's recalibrated expectations for the company's financial performance and pipeline developments over the next few years.

Johnson & Johnson is abbreviated as JNJ in stock market listings.

InvestingPro Insights

In light of JPMorgan's recent downgrade of Genmab, it is noteworthy that Genmab's financial health and market performance paint a somewhat different picture. According to InvestingPro data, Genmab holds a market capitalization of approximately $17.56 billion and maintains a solid gross profit margin of nearly 97% over the last twelve months as of Q2 2024. This robust margin may suggest a strong underlying business model, despite concerns over operational expenditure.

InvestingPro Tips highlight that Genmab has been proactive with share buybacks—a signal that management is confident in the company's value—and holds more cash than debt, indicating financial stability. Furthermore, with analysts predicting profitability for the year and a high return over the last decade, these factors could potentially mitigate some of the risks pointed out by JPMorgan. It's also worth mentioning that analysts have revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, reflecting optimism about the company's financial prospects.

For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available, providing deeper insights into Genmab's financial health and market performance. The current fair value estimates for Genmab's shares, according to analyst targets and InvestingPro's fair value assessment, stand at around $38, suggesting a potential undervaluation at the previous close price of $26.95.

While JPMorgan's outlook may be cautious, these InvestingPro metrics and tips offer a broader perspective on Genmab's financial status and market potential, which could be valuable for investors considering their positions ahead of the company's third-quarter results.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.