First Trust Value Line Dividend Index Fund
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Company & Industry Overviews.Stanley Black & Decker: Institutional Holdings
The 13F filings on September 30 indicated that institutional investors own ~87.9% of Stanley Black & Decker’s (SWK) outstanding shares.
Earnings Report.Sanofi: Analysts’ Recommendations on October 30
As of October 30, four analysts are tracking Sanofi. Two analysts recommend a “strong buy,” while two analysts recommend a “hold.”
Earnings Report.GlaxoSmithKline’s Q3 2018 Earnings: Analysts’ Estimates
Analysts are expecting GlaxoSmithKline’s revenues to increase 2.3% to 8.02 billion pounds for the third quarter of 2018.
Earnings Report.How Novartis’s Sandoz Performed in the Third Quarter
Novartis’s (NVS) Sandoz is a market leader in differentiated generics.
Earnings Report.Novartis Missed Revenue Estimates in Q3 2018
Novartis released its third-quarter earnings results on October 18. Let’s see how it performed compared to analysts’ consensus estimates.
Earnings Report.Novartis in Q3 2018: Analysts Expect Revenue Growth
Analysts expect Novartis’s revenues to increase ~4.9% to $13.02 billion in the third quarter of 2018.
Company & Industry Overviews.A Look at the Performance of Novartis’s Alcon
Alcon reported revenue of ~$1.82 billion in the second quarter, a 7% rise.
Company & Industry Overviews.How Novartis’s Sandoz Business Has Been Performing Recently
Sandoz, Novartis’s (NVS) generics business, is a market leader in differentiated generics.
Company & Industry Overviews.How GlaxoSmithKline’s Pharmaceutical Business Performed
GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) Pharmaceutical segment includes various products from different therapeutic areas including respiratory products, HIV products, immuno-inflammation products, and established products.
Company & Industry Overviews.Alcon to Set Up Future Global Headquarters in Geneva
Alcon, the eyecare business of Novartis (NVS), includes surgical products and vision care products. It announced today that it will locate its future headquarters in Geneva after spinning off from Novartis.
Company & Industry Overviews.Alcon Voluntarily Withdraws CyPass Micro-Stent from Global Market
On August 29, Alcon announced that it had voluntarily withdrawn the CyPass Micro-Stent on a global basis, effective immediately.
Company & Industry Overviews.EC Approves Amgen’s Blincyto for Pediatric Patients
Today, Amgen (AMGN) announced EC approval of Blincyto for pediatric patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative CD19 positive refractory.
Company & Industry Overviews.European Commission Approves Novartis’s Tafinlar/Mekinist Combo
Novartis (NVS) announced on August 29 that the European Commission had approved the combination of its drugs Tafinlar and Mekinist.
Company & Industry Overviews.Novartis’s Business Segments in Q2 2018
Sandoz, Novartis’s generic pharmaceuticals business, reported nearly flat revenues at ~$2.46 billion in Q2 2018.
Company & Industry Overviews.GlaxoSmithKline’s Pharmaceuticals Segment in Q2 2018
GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) Pharmaceuticals segment includes its HIV, respiratory, immuno-inflammation, and established products.
Earnings Report.Novartis’s Valuation after Its Q2 2018 Earnings
On July 20, Novartis was trading at a forward PE multiple of ~15.0x. The industry currently trades at a forward PE multiple of ~14.1x.
Earnings Report.Why GlaxoSmithKline’s Q2 2018 Revenues Are Expected to Decline
The Pharmaceuticals segment is expected to report growth in operating revenues in Q2 2018 with a strong performance of new respiratory products.
Company & Industry Overviews.GlaxoSmithKline’s Valuation on June 29
In the first quarter, GlaxoSmithKline reported EPS of 24.60 pence on revenue of 7.2 billion pounds, a 2% fall year-over-year.
Real Estate.AvalonBay: What’s Driving the Dividend and Valuations?
AvalonBay’s revenue grew 7% in the first quarter, driven by rental and other income.
Healthcare.How the Healthcare Sector’s Dividend Yield Stacks Up
The healthcare industry has an average dividend yield of 1.9%.
Company & Industry Overviews.Assessing GlaxoSmithKline’s Quarterly Revenues
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) reported a 4% rise in operating revenue to ~7.2 billion British pounds in Q1 2018 compared to ~7.3 billion pounds in Q1 2017.
Company & Industry Overviews.How Novartis’s Valuation Compares
This year, Switzerland-headquartered biopharmaceutical giant Novartis (NVS) has initiated several medical data and digital technology deals.
Healthcare.Novartis Gains Ground, Completes the AveXis Acquisition
Novartis completed the acquisition of AveXis, which strengthens Novartis’s position as a gene therapy and neuroscience leader.
Earnings Report.GlaxoSmithKline’s 1Q18 Earnings: Revenue Trend
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) reported revenues of ~7.2 billion pounds for 1Q18 on April 25.
Company & Industry Overviews.Novartis Launches FocalView to Modernize Clinical Trials
On April 25, Novartis launched FocalView, an ophthalmic digital research app created with the help of Apple’s ResearchKit.
Earnings Report.Sanofi’s 1Q18: Revenue Expected to Fall
Sanofi’s 1Q18 revenue estimates As discussed earlier, analysts expect Sanofi’s (SNY) revenue to fall 6.6% to 8.1 billion euros in 1Q18. Let’s look at Sanofi’s segment-wise expectations. Structure of the group The above graph shows Sanofi’s revenue since 1Q17 and estimates for 1Q18. In 2016, Sanofi reorganized its businesses into five units: Sanofi Genzyme, its specialty care business, which […]
Earnings Report.What Analysts Predict for GlaxoSmithKline’s 1Q18 Earnings
GlaxoSmithKline is set to release its 1Q18 earnings on April 25, 2018.
Earnings Report.Expectations from Novartis’s 1Q18 Earnings
Novartis is set to release its 1Q18 earnings on April 19, 2018. Analysts expect it to report earnings per share of $1.28.
Healthcare.Novartis’s Stock Performance following the AveXis Agreement
Novartis AG (NVS) announced an agreement and plan for a merger with AveXis on April 9, 2018.
Company & Industry Overviews.How Eli Lilly’s Oncology Products Performed in 4Q17
Eli Lilly and Company’s (LLY) Human Pharmaceuticals segment includes the oncology products Alimta, Cyramza, Erbitux, Gemzar, Lartruvo, Portrazza, and Verzenio.
Healthcare.How Merck Stock Has Performed Recently
Merck stock has fallen ~2.0% over the last one month and ~14.9% over the last one year.
Company & Industry Overviews.How Novartis’s Revenues Trended in 4Q17
Novartis surpassed Wall Street analysts’ estimates for earnings per share (or EPS) with reported EPS of $4.86 as compared to estimates of $4.82 for 2017.
Company & Industry Overviews.Analyst Recommendations for Johnson & Johnson in February 2018
Analysts estimate that the stock could rise ~13.8% over the next 12 months. They have a 12-month target price of $150.62 for JNJ.
Energy & Utilities.These Factors Could Drive SO’s Dividend Growth
Southern Company’s (SO) present dividend yield of 5.4% has been driven by dividend growth and a price loss.
Earnings Report.Sanofi’s Quarterly Revenue Trend in 4Q17
Sanofi (SNY) reported revenues of 8.7 billion euros in 4Q17, an ~2.0% decrease compared to revenues of 8.9 billion euros in 4Q16.
Company & Industry Overviews.A Look at Ablynx and Sanofi’s Existing Partnership
On January 29, 2018, Sanofi (SNY) announced that it had agreed to acquire Ablynx (ABLX) for 3.9 billion euros.
Earnings Report.Novartis’s 4Q17 Revenues and Fiscal 2017 Revenues
Novartis (NVS) reported revenues of ~$12.9 billion in 4Q17 compared to ~$12.3 billion in 4Q16. NVS reported 2.0% growth in operating revenues in 4Q17.
Company & Industry Overviews.GlaxoSmithKline Is Focused on Developing Oncology Asset GSK 916
According to Kantar Health and Decision Resources, multiple myeloma (or MM) accounts for around 15% of the hematological malignancies in the world and ranks second in terms of incidence among the various blood cancers after non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Company & Industry Overviews.Trelegy Ellipta May Emerge as Major Growth Driver for GlaxoSmithKline
Trelegy Ellipta could enable GlaxoSmithKline to compete aggressively with other respiratory players such as Novartis (NVS).
Company & Industry Overviews.How Is Novartis’s Tafinlar+Mekinist Positioned for 2018?
In 1Q17, 2Q17, and 3Q17, Tafinlar+Mekinist reported revenues of $187 million, $216 million, and $224 million, respectively.
Financials.Why Assurant Has a Positive Outlook despite a Weak 2017
Assurant’s (AIZ) revenue fell 27% and 18% in 2016 and 9M17, respectively.
Company & Industry Overviews.Reading Sanofi’s End-of-Year Analyst Estimates
Wall Street analysts estimate that Sanofi will report EPS of 5.60 euros for 2017, compared with its EPS of 5.68 euros in 2016.
Company & Industry Overviews.Behind 4 Key Novartis Money Makers (and Losers) in 3Q17
In 3Q17, Novartis’s (NVS) Gleevec generated revenues of $445 million, which was ~47% lower YoY (year-over-year) and ~12% lower QoQ (quarter-over-quarter).
Company & Industry Overviews.Behind Novartis’s Respiratory Drug Performance in 3Q17
In 3Q17, Novartis’s COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder) portfolio reported revenues of $165 million, which with ~2% higher YoY and 1% higher QoQ.
Financials.A Look at Assurant, Another Top Dividend Grower
Assurant’s revenue and earnings in 2015 and 2016 Assurant’s (AIZ) revenue fell 1% and 27% in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Its US revenue rose in 2015 before falling in 2016, and its international revenue fell in both years, along with its net earned premiums, net investment income, and net realized gains on investments. Its fees and other […]
Miscellaneous.How Do Aerospace and Defense Sector Dividends Look?
This series will discuss the top ten aerospace and defense products and services companies based on their dividend yields.
Industrials.What Changed W.W. Grainger’s Dividend Yield Graph?
W.W. Grainger (GWW) recorded a 2.0% net sales growth in 2016 after flat growth in 2015.
Company & Industry Overviews.Sanofi’s Consumer Healthcare Expected to Be Long-Term Driver
In 2Q17, Sanofi’s (SNY) Consumer Healthcare business reported revenues of 1.2 billion euros, which is a 42.5% YoY rise on a CER basis and a YoY fall of 0.10% on a CER and CS basis.
Company & Industry Overviews.Sanofi’s Kevzara Could Be Solid Addition to Rheumatoid Arthritis
Launched in US markets in June 2017, Kevzara (sarilumab), Sanofi (SNY) and Regeneron’s (REGN) IL-6 receptor antibody, has received favorable feedback from the physician community.
Company & Industry Overviews.Behind Sanofi’s Established Product Performance in 3Q17
For 3Q17, revenues from established prescription products fell 6.5% YoY (year-over-year) at constant exchange rates to 2.26 billion euros.
Company & Industry Overviews.Quarterly Performance of GlaxoSmithKline’s Vaccines Segment
The Vaccines segment reported a 16.0% rise in revenues to 1.1 billion pounds in 2Q17 compared to 2Q16.
Energy & Utilities.What Led to Sempra Energy’s Sharp Fall in Dividend Yield?
Sempra Energy’s revenue for the first half of 2017 rose 7.0%, driven by every segment.
Company & Industry Overviews.How Novartis’s Promacta, Votrient, and Jakavi Performed in 1H17
In 1H17, Novartis’s (NVS) Promacta/Revolade reported revenues of around $385 million, which reflected ~33% growth on a year-over-year (or YoY) basis.
Company & Industry Overviews.What Analysts Recommend for Novartis in September 2017
Three analysts were analyzing Novartis in September 2017. One analyst recommended a “strong buy,” while the other two recommended a “hold.”
Miscellaneous.What Could Drive TechnipFMC’s Dividend Yield
How TechnipFMC intends to maintain its yield FMC Technologies and Technip merged to become TechnipFMC (FTI) in 2017, an international provider of subsea, onshore, offshore, and surface projects. The synergy aims to combat the challenges of low oil prices and a challenging outlook through cost cutting and the enhancement of efficiency. The company recorded 51% revenue […]
Company & Industry Overviews.GlaxoSmithKline Reported Revenue Growth in 2Q17
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) reported revenues of 7.32 billion pounds in 2Q17—12% growth compared to revenues of 6.53 billion pounds in 2Q16.
Company & Industry Overviews.Inside Novartis’s 2Q17 Revenues
Novartis (NVS) reported flat revenues of $12.24 billion on a constant-currency basis for 2Q17. This included a 2% decline due to foreign exchange.
Company & Industry Overviews.Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Valuation after 2Q17 Earnings
Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) met Wall Street analysts’ estimate for EPS at $0.74. It also surpassed the estimates for revenues.
Financials.Dividend Yield of Franklin Resources
Franklin Resources (BEN) has recorded consistent growth in dividends since at least March 1982.
Company & Industry Overviews.Sanofi’s General Medicines and Consumer Healthcare in 2Q17
General Medicines Sanofi’s (SNY) generic business contributed ~5.1% of its total revenue in 2Q17. The business reported revenue of 442 million euros in 2Q17, an 8% decrease from 2Q16. Revenue fell due to lower sales in US markets, European markets, and emerging markets. This fall was partially offset by the growth in the rest of […]
Company & Industry Overviews.A Look at Sanofi’s Post-2Q17 Valuation
Sanofi (SNY), one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, reported operational growth of 5.5% to reach revenue of 8.7 billion euros in 2Q17.
Consumer.Target’ s Performance as a Dividend Aristocrat
Target’s (TGT) sales for 2016 fell 6.0% due to lower comparable store sales and weak store traffic.
Consumer.Have Intel and Procter & Gamble Been Able to Increase Dividends?
Intel (INTC) released its 2Q17 results on July 27, 2017. The company’s revenue and EPS for the first half of 2017 rose 8.5% and 72.0%, respectively.
Earnings Report.GSK’s 2Q17 Earnings: Pharmaceuticals Segment
GSK’s Pharmaceuticals segment’s contribution to the company’s total revenues was 59.5% in 2Q17.
Financials.Arbor Realty Trust’s Dividend Growth Prospects
Arbor Realty Trust (ABR) paid 74.1% of its earnings as dividends in 2016 compared to 56.7% in 1Q17.
Earnings Report.Unpacking GlaxoSmithKline’s 2Q17 Revenue Expectations
Analysts expect to see a growth of ~11.4% in GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) 2Q17 revenues, which are expected to total nearly 7.3 billion British pounds.
Earnings Report.Novartis in 2Q17: Performance of Innovative Medicines
The overall contribution of the Innovative Medicines segment was ~67.6% at $8.28 billion for 2Q17.
Earnings Report.Novartis’s 2Q17 Estimates: Innovative Medicines Segment
The overall contribution of Novartis’s (NVS) Innovative Medicines segment is ~67.0% of its total revenues.
Miscellaneous.The Top Dividend-Growing Healthcare and Industrials Stocks
The sector has seen the weakest growth in its top and bottom lines due to uncertainty in terms of sector reforms.
Miscellaneous.Dividend Growth for Qualcomm and Crown Castle International
Qualcomm (QCOM) recorded a year-over-year decline in revenues for 2Q17 after growth in the preceding quarter.
Company & Industry Overviews.What Happened to Novartis’s Valuation after 1Q17?
Novartis reported EPS of $1.13 on revenues of $11.54 billion for 1Q17, which represents 2% YoY operational growth in revenues.
Company & Industry Overviews.Sanofi’s Generics and Consumer Healthcare Business in 1Q17
Sanofi’s (SNY) Generics business contributes ~5% to the group’s total revenues.
Earnings Report.Novartis’s 1Q17 Estimates: Innovative Medicines Segment
Novartis’s (NVS) Innovative Medicines segment includes products for therapeutic areas such as oncology, cardiometabolic, immunology, and dermatology.
Company & Industry Overviews.Why Sanofi’s Consumer Healthcare and Generics Segment Still Matters
Sanofi’s (SNY) Consumer Healthcare segment reported a 1.6% YoY (year-over-year) fall in revenues at 3.33 billion euros (about $3.56 billion) in 2016.
Company & Industry Overviews.Are Sanofi’s Established Prescription Products Adding Up?
Sanofi’s (SNY) Established Prescription Products segment contributed nearly 30.5% of the company’s total revenues in 2016.
Company & Industry Overviews.Inside Sanofi’s Overall Revenue Performance in 2016
Sanofi (SNY) reported a YoY (year-over-year) revenue growth of ~1.2% at constant exchange rates for 2016.
Company & Industry Overviews.Could Novartis’s CTL019 Capture Significant Market Share?
Currently, an estimated 7,000 patients suffer from pediatric ALL in the US, Europe, Japan, Canada, and Israel.
Company & Industry Overviews.Novartis Expects to Witness Flat Revenue Growth in 2017
Novartis (NVS) has projected its 2017 revenue to be close to what it earned in 2016. The company also expects its core operating income to be flat or to fall in the single digits.
Company & Industry Overviews.Why Entresto Could Become Key Growth Driver for Novartis in 2017
Novartis (NVS) expects modest prescription growth for its heart failure drug, Entresto, in 1Q17.
Company & Industry Overviews.Novartis’s Valuation Compared to Its Peers’
Novartis’s valuation has followed the industry’s overall trend over the last five years. Whether the healthcare sector’s valuation rises or falls, Novartis will definitely be affected.
Company & Industry Overviews.What Will Drive AstraZeneca’s Oncology Revenues in 2017?
In 2016, AstraZeneca’s (AZN) poly ADP-ribose polymerase (or PARP) inhibitor, Lynparza, managed to report revenues close to $218 million.
Company & Industry Overviews.AstraZeneca’s New Products May Offer 2017 Growth Opportunities
Since 2012, AstraZeneca (AZN) has launched new products in its three main therapeutic areas of diabetes and respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and oncology.
Company & Industry Overviews.Growth of AstraZeneca’s Oncology Segment in 2016
The revenues for AstraZeneca’s (AZN) Oncology segment rose ~20% at constant exchange rates in 2016.
Company & Industry Overviews.Teva Is Expected to See a Fall in Its Profit Margins in 2017
Teva Pharmaceutical (TEVA) expects its 2017 non-generally accepted accounting principles (non-GAAP) earnings per share (or EPS) to fall in the range of $4.9–$5.3.
Company & Industry Overviews.These Prescription Products Matter to Sanofi’s Growth
Sanofi’s (SNY) established prescription products contributed nearly 28.9% of the company’s total 4Q16 revenues.
Company & Industry Overviews.Novartis’s Valuation after the 4Q16 Results
On January 31, 2017, Novartis was trading at a forward PE multiple of ~15.2x. Based on its last-five-year multiple range, this is neither high nor low.
Company & Industry Overviews.Inside Novartis’s Generics Performance in 4Q16
Sandoz, the Generics segment of Novartis (NVS), is second-largest generic medicines provider worldwide and number one in differentiated generics.
Earnings Report.Analysts Expect Negative Growth for Novartis in 4Q16
Analysts expect an ~1.1% decline in Novartis’s (NVS) 4Q16 revenues to ~$12.4 billion following the effects of the acquisition and divestiture of several products.
Company & Industry Overviews.How Did Novartis’s Innovative Medicines Segment Perform?
The overall contribution of the innovative medicines segment was ~67% at $8,173 million for 3Q16.
Company & Industry Overviews.AstraZeneca’s Lynparza Is Still a Leading PARP Inhibitor in 2016
On October 26, 2016, AstraZeneca (AZN) announced that Lynparza managed to demonstrate a superior clinical profile in the Phase 3 SOLO-2 trial.
Company & Industry Overviews.Teva’s Research Pipeline to Culminate in Many New Drug Launches?
Teva Pharmaceutical’s (TEVA) generic research pipeline is expected to result in more than 30 first-to-file (or FTF) launches in 2016 and 2017.
Company & Industry Overviews.The Latest on Fasinumab, a Teva-Regeneron Collaborative Drug
On October 17, 2016, Teva and Regeneron announced that the FDA had placed the Phase 2 study for fasinumab on clinical hold.
Company & Industry Overviews.Teva Pharmaceutical Expects Mid-Single-Digit Growth for Generics
In 3Q16, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (TEVA) reported increased price erosion of about 7.0% for its US-based business compared to 3Q15.
Company & Industry Overviews.Bernstein: Excess Risk Aversion Has Made Investors ‘Wallflowers’
In his November Insights newsletter, Richard Bernstein stated, “It is incredible that investors have basically been wallflowers during the second longest bull market of the post-war period.”
Company & Industry Overviews.Performance of Novartis’s Innovative Medicines Segment in 3Q16
Novartis’s (NVS) Innovative Medicines segment contributed ~67.0% at $8.2 billion for 3Q16.
Company & Industry Overviews.Changes in Novartis’s Valuation for 3Q16
Based on the last five years’ multiple range, Novartis’s current valuation is neither high nor low. The PE multiple has ranged from ~9.0x to ~20.0x.
Earnings Report.Inside AstraZeneca’s Oncology Segment Growth in 3Q15
AstraZeneca’s (AZN) Oncology segment is another key company focus area. The segment’s contribution rose to over 17% in 3Q16.
Earnings Report.Inside AstraZeneca’s Revenue Fall in 3Q16
For 3Q16, AstraZeneca (AZN) reported a 4.1% fall in its top line at $5.7 billion.
Company & Industry Overviews.Richard Bernstein: Don’t Fear the Bear Market
A legitimate bull market In this series, we’ve taken a look at Richard Bernstein’s views on investors’ fear of an impending bear market. In Richard Bernstein Advisors’ October Insights newsletter, he rejects the notion that the current rise in US stocks (SPLV) (OEF) has been brought about only by the Fed’s easy monetary policy. In the […]
Company & Industry Overviews.Volume Growth and Product Mix to Drive NVO’s Insulin Sales
From 2011 to 2015, Novo Nordisk’s (NVO) diabetes care franchise sales have risen at a compounded average growth rate (or CAGR) of approximately 11.5%.