Vanguard Total International Stock ETF

In 1Q17, AstraZeneca’s (AZN) new oncology portfolio reported global sales of around $236.0 million. Tagrisso earned revenues of $171.0 million globally.

On December 9, 2016, the FDA accepted for review its first-ever biologics license application (or BLA) submitted by AstraZeneca (AZN).

To ensure long-term relevance as well as quick adaptability to changing market needs, Novartis (NVS) is focusing on five major initiatives in 2017.

Launched in Japan in 2Q16, AstraZeneca’s (AZN) 1Q17 revenues for Tagrisso approached $39 million in this major emerging market.

According to the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook Database, the UK’s GDP was $2.7 trillion in 2015.

CP hauled slightly more than 30,000 railcars in the 30th week compared with over 29,000 railcars in the 30th week last year.

The Brexit referendum results are already playing havoc with the European and other world capital markets.

With the Brexit vote, the European Union’s disintegration has already begun. The pound is already at historic lows against the US dollar (UUP).

Recently, Gross has been repeatedly mentioning a “new normal” that the developed world seems to be in. Real GDP growth is around 2% in the US.

Gross warned about deglobalization in the global economy. Trade between nations, exacerbating immigration issues, and stagnant economic growth formed his belief.

Localized geopolitical risks like the tension in the Middle East are unlikely to cause substantial damage to the markets in the long run, though they could bolster oil prices in the short term.

In 3Q16, Valeant Pharmaceuticals (VRX) generated revenues of $2.4 billion, compared with $2.2 billion in 3Q17.

A fall of more than 10% in market value from the most recent peak is generally considered to be a correction. The US indexes have had four such corrections since the onset of the current bull market cycle in 2009.

Novartis (NVS) is expected to report earnings per share of $1.26 in 1Q18 compared to EPS of $1.13 in 1Q17.

In 3Q17, dolutegravir franchise drugs Triumeq and Tivicay were major drivers of GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) rising HIV portfolio revenues.

Of the 31 analysts covering GlaxoSmithKline in January 2018, five have recommended a “strong buy,” seven have recommended a “buy,” 15 have recommended a “hold,” three have recommended a “sell,” and only one has recommended a “strong sell.”

With the acquisition of Actavis, Teva has a combination of the biggest first-to-file generics and biosimilars portfolio in the United States.

Teva Pharmaceutical has implemented a clear strategy to improve its financial profile and establish long-term growth prospects.

In 3Q17, AstraZeneca’s (AZN) Iressa generated revenues of $137.0 million, which reflected ~10.0% growth on a year-over-year basis.

In 1H17, Novartis’s (NVS) Gleevec reported revenues of around $1.1 billion, which reflected a ~39% decline on a year-over-year (or YoY) basis.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) added new products and improved the supply chain for consumer healthcare products in the last few years.

Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) is the second largest freight rail in Canada.

In 1H17, Fresenius Medical Care (FMS) earned ~1.6 billion euros from the sale of dialysis products, which equals year-over-year growth of 8% on a reported basis.

AstraZeneca’s (AZN) Respiratory segment is one its key growth platforms. The segment reported nearly flat revenue of $1.2 billion at constant exchange rates in 1Q17.

Any slowdown in China’s economic growth is expected to impact developed (SPY) (EWU) (HEDJ) and emerging economies (FXI) (EEM).

In 2017, Novartis (NVS) has planned to conduct a review of its Alcon segment to evaluate the business’s growth potential.

Besides focusing on research and development (or R&D) efforts, Novartis (NVS) is also aiming to revamp its commercial strategy in 2017.

In 2017, Novartis (NVS) expects its heart failure drug, Entresto, to earn revenues in excess of $500 million.

In 2016, Novartis (NVS) reported revenues of $48.4 billion, a flat year-over-year (or YoY) performance on a constant currency basis.

In 2016, AstraZeneca’s (AZN) Symbicort reported revenues close to $3.0 billion, which is a YoY fall of about 10.0% on a CER basis.

AstraZeneca (AZN) reported an ~5% decline in its fiscal 2016 revenues at constant exchange rates. It reported revenues of $23.0 billion, compared to ~$23.6 billion in fiscal 2015.

In an interview with Wall Street Week on February 10, 2017, Bob Diamond spoke about the impact of Brexit on global growth and the European markets.

On February 8, 2017, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) reported its 4Q16 earnings. Revenues rose 21.0% to 7.6 billion pounds, and EPS was 26 pence.

After its commercial launch in 41 countries, AstraZeneca’s Tagrisso has witnessed a solid uptake, earning revenues of $276.0 million in 2016 YTD.

The massive financial stimulus package unleashed in China (MCHI) appears to be supporting economic growth in 2016 and 2017.

China’s (FXI) (MCHI) government initiated various stimulus measures to arrest the slowing growth. Currently, the bank lending rate is at a record low.

Dry bulk shipping got a major boost from China’s increased appetite for iron ore and coal almost eight years ago. Large ship orders are driving the current oversupply.