Wall Street analysts forecast that Amgen (AMGN) will report quarterly earnings of $5.01 per share in its upcoming release, pointing to a year-over-year increase of 6.4%. It is anticipated that revenues will amount to $8.86 billion, exhibiting an increase of 8.1% compared to the year-ago quarter.The current level reflects an upward revision of 0.7% in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter over the past 30 days. This demonstrates how the analysts covering the stock have collectively reappraised their ini ...

The fourth-quarter 2024 earnings cycle is here, with quite a few healthcare companies having reported results. Early reports indicate several key growth drivers at play, including increased patient volumes, utilization, admissions, patient days and rate hikes, as well as growing demand for commercial healthcare plans and technology-enabled offerings. However, rising medical costs due to increased utilization and occupancy have partly offset the positives.Based on our exclusive research and unique market ins ...

Company Overview - Amgen is one of the largest biotech companies globally, with a strong presence in various therapeutic areas including oncology, cardiovascular disease, neuroscience, inflammation, bone health, and nephrology [11] - The company has developed significant drugs such as Epogen and Neupogen, and has launched next-generation products like Aranesp and Neulasta [11] - Amgen's acquisition of Immunex Corporation provided access to the blockbuster drug Enbrel, although older drugs are facing declining sales due to competition from biosimilars [11] Financial Performance - Amgen is currently rated 3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B [12] - The company has a Momentum Style Score of A, with shares increasing by 8.1% over the past four weeks [12] - Earnings estimates for fiscal 2024 have been revised higher by three analysts in the last 60 days, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.05 to $19.56 per share [12] - Amgen has an average earnings surprise of 4.1% [12] Investment Potential - With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, Amgen is recommended for investors' consideration [13]

Core Insights - The European Commission has approved BLINCYTO® (blinatumomab) as part of consolidation therapy for adult patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-negative CD19-positive B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) [1][7] - The approval is based on the Phase 3 E1910 clinical trial, which demonstrated that adding BLINCYTO to multiphase consolidation chemotherapy significantly improved overall survival compared to chemotherapy alone [2][3] Company Overview - Amgen is a biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and delivers innovative medicines, with a focus on treating serious diseases [9] - The company has been recognized as one of the "World's Most Innovative Companies" and is part of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq-100 Index [10] Industry Context - Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a fast-growing blood cancer, with B-ALL being the most common subtype, constituting approximately 75% of cases in adults [4] - The prevalence of ALL in Europe is estimated at 1.28 persons per 100,000 people [4] Product Information - BLINCYTO is the first globally approved Bispecific T-cell Engager (BiTE®) immuno-oncology therapy, targeting CD19 surface antigens on B cells to enhance the immune response against cancer [5][8] - In the EU, BLINCYTO is indicated for various patient groups, including adults with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-negative CD19-positive B-ALL as part of consolidation therapy [6][13]

Core Viewpoint - Amgen is expected to exceed earnings expectations for the fourth quarter and full year 2024, with a consensus estimate of $8.84 billion in sales and $5.01 per share in earnings [1] Group 1: Sales Performance - Strong volume growth is anticipated for Amgen's products, including Evenity, Repatha, Prolia, Kyprolis, and Blincyto, although prices are expected to decline due to increased rebates [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for sales of Prolia, Repatha, Evenity, and Blincyto is $1.18 billion, $551 million, $413 million, and $339 million, respectively [2] - Estimates for Prolia, Repatha, and Evenity sales are $1.05 billion, $542.9 million, and $418.3 million, respectively, with Tezspire and Tavneos contributing $274.4 million and $102.9 million to top-line growth [3] Group 2: New Product Launches - The U.S. launch of Imdelltra for advanced small cell lung cancer is progressing well, with a 200% sequential growth in the third quarter, expected to continue into the fourth quarter [4] - Tepezza sales are projected to be flat to slightly down, with efforts to reorganize and expand the sales force targeting low clinical activity score patients [6] Group 3: Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Otezla is $611 million, while the estimate for Enbrel is $861 million, with Amgen's estimates being $605.4 million and $874.5 million, respectively [5] - Adjusted EPS for the fourth quarter is expected to be lower than the third quarter due to historically high R&D costs [7] Group 4: Pipeline Developments - Updates on the pipeline candidate MariTide for obesity are anticipated, with recent phase II study results showing an average weight loss of approximately 20% over 52 weeks, which fell short of investor expectations [8] Group 5: Earnings Surprise History - Amgen has a strong earnings surprise history, with an average surprise of 4.10% over the last four quarters, although the stock has declined 10.6% over the past year [10]

Company Overview - Amgen is one of the largest biotech companies globally, with a strong presence in various therapeutic areas including oncology, cardiovascular disease, and neuroscience [12] - The company has developed successful drugs such as Epogen and Neupogen, and has launched next-generation products like Aranesp and Neulasta [12] - Amgen's acquisition of Immunex Corporation provided access to the blockbuster drug Enbrel, although older drugs are facing declining sales due to competition [12] Financial Performance - Amgen has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and a VGM Score of B, indicating a solid position in the market [13] - The company has a Value Style Score of B, supported by a forward P/E ratio of 13.66, which is attractive for value investors [13] - For fiscal 2024, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has increased by $0.05 to $19.56 per share, with an average earnings surprise of 4.1% [13] Investment Potential - With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, Amgen is recommended for investors' consideration [14]

Core Viewpoint - Amgen is expected to report a year-over-year increase in earnings and revenues for the quarter ended December 2024, with the actual results being a significant factor influencing its near-term stock price [1][2]. Earnings Expectations - The consensus estimate for Amgen's quarterly earnings is $5.01 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 6.4% [3]. - Revenues are projected to reach $8.84 billion, which is a 7.9% increase from the same quarter last year [3]. Estimate Revisions - Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate has been revised down by 0.17%, indicating a reassessment by analysts [4]. - The Most Accurate Estimate for Amgen is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, resulting in a positive Earnings ESP of 3.15% [10][11]. Earnings Surprise Prediction - The Zacks Earnings ESP model suggests that a positive Earnings ESP reading is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, especially when combined with a Zacks Rank of 1, 2, or 3 [8]. - Amgen currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3, indicating a likelihood of beating the consensus EPS estimate [11]. Historical Performance - In the last reported quarter, Amgen exceeded the expected earnings of $5.11 per share by delivering $5.58, resulting in a surprise of 9.20% [12]. - Over the past four quarters, Amgen has consistently beaten consensus EPS estimates [13]. Conclusion - While Amgen is positioned as a strong candidate for an earnings beat, other factors should also be considered when evaluating the stock ahead of its earnings release [16].

Core Viewpoint - Amgen (AMGN) has shown a strong performance recently, with a return of +4.9% over the past month, outperforming the S&P 500 composite's +1.1% change, indicating potential positive momentum for the stock [2]. Earnings Estimate Revisions - For the current quarter, Amgen is expected to report earnings of $5.01 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of +6.4%. However, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has decreased by -3.6% in the last 30 days [5]. - The consensus earnings estimate for the current fiscal year stands at $19.56, indicating a year-over-year change of +4.9%, with a slight increase of +0.7% over the past month [5]. - For the next fiscal year, the consensus estimate is $20.52, also showing a +4.9% change from the previous year, with a +0.7% increase in the last month [6]. Revenue Growth Projections - Amgen's consensus sales estimate for the current quarter is $8.84 billion, indicating a year-over-year growth of +7.9%. The estimates for the current and next fiscal years are $33.18 billion and $34.31 billion, reflecting changes of +17.7% and +3.4%, respectively [9]. Last Reported Results - In the last reported quarter, Amgen achieved revenues of $8.5 billion, representing a year-over-year increase of +23.2%. The EPS for this period was $5.58, compared to $4.96 a year ago [10]. - The reported revenues were slightly below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $8.51 billion, resulting in a surprise of -0.04%. However, the EPS exceeded expectations by +9.2% [11]. Valuation Metrics - Amgen is graded B in the Zacks Value Style Score, indicating that it is trading at a discount compared to its peers [15]. - The evaluation of Amgen's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), suggests that the stock may be undervalued relative to its historical values and peers [13][14]. Conclusion - The current Zacks Rank of 3 suggests that Amgen may perform in line with the broader market in the near term, despite the mixed signals from earnings estimates and valuation metrics [16].

Stock Performance - Amgen's stock ended the recent trading session at $277 88, showing a +1 62% increase from the previous day's closing price [1] - The stock outperformed the S&P 500, which gained 0 53%, while the Dow gained 0 93% and the Nasdaq added 0 22% [1] - Over the past month, Amgen's shares gained 3 38%, outperforming the Medical sector's 1 49% gain and the S&P 500's 2 69% gain [1] Earnings and Revenue Projections - Amgen's upcoming earnings report is scheduled for February 4, 2025, with projected earnings per share (EPS) of $5 01, reflecting a 6 37% increase from the same quarter last year [2] - Revenue is expected to be $8 84 billion, indicating a 7 86% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year [2] Analyst Estimates and Valuation Metrics - Recent shifts in analyst projections for Amgen indicate changing near-term business trends, with upbeat changes reflecting a favorable outlook on the company's business health and profitability [3] - The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0 43% higher within the past month, and Amgen currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [5] - Amgen's Forward P/E ratio is 13 36, representing a discount compared to the industry average of 23 22 [6] - The company's PEG ratio is 2 78, higher than the industry average of 1 36, reflecting its expected earnings growth trajectory [7] Industry Performance - The Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, part of the Medical sector, holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 74, placing it in the top 30% of all 250+ industries [8] - The Zacks Industry Rank shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [8]

Core Insights - Scientists at deCODE genetics and Amgen have created a comprehensive map of human DNA recombination, enhancing the understanding of genetic diversity and its implications for health and fertility [1][2][3] Group 1: Research Findings - The new recombination map is the first to include shorter-scale shuffling of grandparental DNA, which is challenging to detect due to high sequence similarity [3] - The map identifies regions of DNA that lack significant reshuffling, likely to safeguard critical genetic functions and prevent chromosomal issues [3] - The research highlights that errors in the recombination process can lead to reproductive challenges, contributing to infertility affecting approximately 10% of couples globally [4] Group 2: Gender Differences - The study reveals distinct patterns of genome recombination between men and women, with women experiencing fewer non-crossover recombinations that increase with age, potentially explaining higher risks of pregnancy complications in older mothers [5] - Men do not exhibit age-related changes in recombination frequency, although both sexes can pass mutations to their offspring [5] Group 3: Evolutionary Implications - Understanding the recombination process is crucial for insights into human evolution and individual health differences, as all human genetic diversity stems from recombination and de novo mutations [6] - The map indicates that mutations are more frequent near regions of DNA mixing, suggesting a strong correlation between recombination and mutation processes [6] Group 4: Company Background - deCODE genetics, based in Reykjavik, Iceland, is a leader in human genome analysis and has identified genetic risk factors for numerous common diseases [7] - The company's goal is to leverage genetic insights to develop new diagnostic, treatment, and prevention methods for diseases [7]