Large Cap Biopharmaceutical Metrics and Performance Q1 2025

Large Cap Biopharmaceuticals- Performance Metrics

• The best performing biopharma stocks YTD were: ABBV up 8.5%, AMGN up 11.8%, AZN up 12%, GILD up 12.7%, LLY up 9.4%, VRTX up 14%.
• The worst performing biopharmas YTD were: BMY down 4.7%, BIIB, down 10.2%, MRK down 16.6%, PFE. down 3.7%, REGN down 5.44%.
• One of the best sectors in healthcare because of growth and value plus dividends.

We follow stocks in four major sectors of healthcare: biopharmaceuticals, life science tools and diagnostics, medtech and SMID biotechnology. Of the large cap biopharmas only JNJ is integrated with MedTech. Abbvie was formerly integrated with Abbott, now both are separate companies. Our best picks over the past six months have been ABBV, GILD,  LLY and VRTX.

And be sure to read our excellent Q3 Review of Large Cap Biopharmas (November 3, 2024).

You’ve heard it before but we’ll say it again tariffs could have big impact on earnings in 2025. moreover TRUMP 2.0 announced that the FTC is expected to retain the same strict guidelines on M&A.

Notes:

1. We still hold Pfizer with a 6.6% dividend hoping for a recovery at least to $30. The stock is off its highs in 50s from 2022 because of declining COVID vaccine sales.
2. Our biggest disappointment over past year was Regeneron down from $1200 level last summer as competition from Roche and others took Eylea market share.
3. Biggest turnaround from 2023 was Astra Zeneca from an October low of $63.20 because of China issues. Gilead Sciences stock languished for several years but moved from the $70 level to $107.65 today 2/19.
4. Merck is trying to recover from a low of $82.60 recently due to issues with their HPV vaccine in China.
5. Major new drug categories for the coming years are: obesitydiaibetes and GLP-1, autoimmune diseases and neuroscience .

Large Cap Biopharmaceutical Companies