Vanguard Value ETF

In 4Q17, Abbott Laboratories (ABT) reported $828 million in net losses, which came in at $0.48 per share.

Zimmer Biomet Holdings announced its 4Q17 and 2017 results on January 30. The company’s sales exceeded analysts’ estimates, while its adjusted earnings per share managed to meet estimates.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) provided 2018 guidance during the company’s earnings results release on January 23, 2018.

In October 2017, Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) exited its insulin pump business, which was experiencing a decline in sales due to the intense competition in the insulin pump market.

NASH is a chronic disease related to steatosis wherein fat accumulates in the liver and can lead to inflammation, progressive fibrosis, and cirrhosis.

Johnson & Johnson’s (JNJ) Pharmaceuticals segment reported 17.6% growth in revenues to ~$9.7 billion during 4Q17, compared to ~$8.2 billion during 4Q16.

Xeljanz demand trends In 3Q17, Pfizer’s (PFE) Xeljanz reported revenue of ~$348 million, marking YoY (year-over-year) growth of ~48.1%. The drug saw sales of $935 million in the first nine months of 2017, a 44.1% YoY rise. In 3Q17, the drug’s new rheumatology prescriptions rose significantly. In September 2017, Xeljanz accounted for 9.8% of new prescriptions for RA (rheumatoid arthritis) in […]

In May 2017, Keytruda’s chemotherapy combination regimen was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (or FDA) in a first-line metastatic NSCLC indication.

In 3Q17, Eli Lilly’s (LLY) Forteo generated revenues of $441.7 million, ~13% growth on a year-over-year (or YoY) basis and a 1% decline on a quarter-over-quarter basis.

The smart beta approach aims to benefit from market inefficiencies to deliver higher risk-adjusted returns and improve diversification.

Baxter International’s (BAX) PD (peritoneal dialysis) solutions are among the key growth drivers of the company’s renal therapies business.

In 3Q17, Pfizer’s vaccines business generated revenues of $1.6 billion, which reflected ~1% growth on a year-over-year (or YoY) basis.

Abbott registered strong 3Q17 results, surpassing estimates for both sales and earnings and reporting healthy growth across all of its business segments.

In 3Q17, Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) reported ~$19.7 billion in sales. The company’s Medical Devices business generated ~33.5% of the total sales.

In the quarter ended September 30, 2017, Zimmer Biomet Holdings (ZBH) registered a YoY (year-over-year) fall of 1.5% on a constant currency basis, excluding the impact of the LDR acquisition.

The Federal Trade Commission recently announced the US antitrust approval for Abbott Laboratories’ (ABT) acquisition of Alere (ALR).

On September 11, 2017, Zimmer Biomet Holdings (ZBH) announced the launch of its Persona Partial Knee System.

In 2Q17, Merck’s (MRK) Gardasil/Gardasil 9 generated revenues of ~$469 million, which reflected ~19% growth year-over-year and ~12% growth quarter-over-quarter.

Of the 22 brokerage firms covering JNJ, ten (~45%) have rated the stock a “buy,” while 12 (55%) have rated it as a “hold.” None has rated the stock a “sell.”

In 2016, Primaxin reported revenues of around $297 million compared to $313 million in 2015.

JNJ reported ~$17.8 billion in revenues in 1Q17, registering a YoY sales growth of around 1.6%. Its Medical Device segment reported ~3% growth.

On May 8, 2017, Abbott Laboratories (ABT) announced the CE Marking approval of its Confirm Rx ICM. ABT stock rose 0.09% that day.

In 1Q17, Baxter’s (BAX) renal segment reported revenues close to $896.0 million, which is an operational growth of around 2.0% YoY.

Although ETF (VTV) ownership increased substantially during the last 20 years, it still isn’t high enough to meaningfully impact stock prices.

Besides lung cancer and melanoma, Merck (MRK) is aggressively expanding Keytruda’s label across multiple cancer indications.

With services offered to about half of the total hospitals, Quest Diagnostics (DGX) has become a leading provider of reference testing services in the United States.

In 1Q17, UnitedHealth Group’s (UNH) UnitedHealthcare business witnessed a 2.5 million year-over-year increase in customers.

For 2017, Merck & Co. (MRK) has projected its generally accepted accounting principles (or GAAP) earnings per share (or EPS) to fall in the range of $2.47–$2.62.

In its bid to control healthcare costs, UnitedHealth Group’s (UNH) OptumRx segment has been actively deploying data analytics across its Optum platform.

On January 9, JNJ’s Medical Device division announced its Orthopedic Episode of Care Approach, a data-driven program that will accelerate value-based care.

Zimmer Biomet revised its 2016 guidance after reporting its 3Q16 earnings. Its guidance for fiscal 2016 is estimated to be $7.63 billion–$7.65 billion.

Through the acquisition of Claris Injectables, Baxter International aims to accelerate its strategy to become a leader in the global injectables market.

Alere (ALR) denied claims that any of the events that occurred during the last ten months would constitute any material change to the company’s value.

A bull run with legs In Richard Bernstein Advisors’ October Insights newsletter, after dismissing the belief that the Federal Reserve is to blame for stock price inflation (IWD) (VTV), Richard Bernstein moved on to explain the reason for the current bull run. Stating that “fundamentals have improved dramatically, and have been a major support to the […]

FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) participants have toned down their projections for US GDP growth in 2016 for the second successive quarter.

A small-ticket loan of $5,000 could be more harmful to the health of the US economy (SPY) (IWM) (QQQ) than a $100,000 loan.

After the policy meeting in June, Fed Chair Janet Yellen said that the Brexit vote could impact US monetary policy.

Bunge (BG) has a market capitalization of $7.7 billion. BG rose by 0.56% to close at $50.0 per share as of March 1, 2016.