• support@madhedgefundtrader.com
  • Member Login
Mad Hedge Fund Trader
  • Home
  • About
  • Store
  • Luncheons
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us
  • Click to open the search input field Click to open the search input field Search
  • Menu Menu

A Solid Biopharma With A Gamechanger Up Its Sleeve

Biotech Letter

The mounting uncertainty over fears of a global recession, heightened volatility, and ongoing geopolitical concerns resulted in the decline of the S&P 500 index, pushing it towards a bear market.

In this type of environment, investors can lean on solid dividend stocks to smooth out losses and generate some much-needed passive income.

A great biotechnology and healthcare stock that fits the bill is Merck (MRK).

For one, Merck’s business is solid, rising by 23% year-to-date. The company, with a market capitalization of $233 billion, is the fifth-biggest pharma stock globally.

It develops products for humans and animals, excelling and becoming a frontrunner in both fields.

Among its programs, the most noteworthy is the top-selling cancer drug Keytruda. This product continues to gain more indications despite already having over two dozen regulatory approvals under its belt.

In 2021, Merck launched five blockbuster products. Even its animal health sector posted double-digit growth in net sales for that period.

This also included its COVID-19 antiviral treatment, Lagevrio, which raked in $3.2 billion in sales in the first quarter of 2022 alone.

Merck also has roughly 77 programs queued for Phase 2 trials and 29 more for Phase 3 studies in its pipeline. These cover diverse projects ranging from vaccines, cardiovascular, and diabetes treatments to oncology and endocrinology therapies.

Needless to say, the continuous expansion of the company’s drug portfolio bodes well for its future. Moreover, Merck offers investors a 2.9% dividend yield.

To put that in perspective, 2.9% is about twice the S&P 500’s 1.6% yield.

While Merck is considered one of the top companies in the healthcare industry, reporting almost $50 billion in revenue in 2021, the business has been missing something in the past years: a big growth catalyst.

Despite its solid performance and steady expansion of existing products, Merck’s sales have only increased by roughly 15% from 2019 to 2021.

This might change soon.

Merck has been persistently linked with biotech company Seagen (SGEN) in an effort to bolster its oncology portfolio.

If this plan pushes through, it could be a massive game-changer for both companies.

With a market capitalization of over $32 billion, buying Seagen won’t be cheap for Merck. More than that, other names are supposedly interested in acquiring this company as well. However, it looks like Merck has the best shot at actually sealing the deal.

Growing its revenues impressively over the past 10 years, Seagen is an attractive target for any Big Pharma.

In fact, this biotech has grown from raking in only roughly $200 million in revenue in 2012 to $1.57 billion in 2021. It has also since then expanded its portfolio and broadened its pipeline. This means that the company’s 2027 revenue estimate of $6.9 billion and $10.2 billion by 2031 are within reach.

Seagen would be an excellent fit for Merck because of the overlapping interests of both businesses.

The deal would expand Merck’s oncology footprint, bolster its foothold in the market, and introduce new technology to its pipeline while simultaneously allowing Seagen to inject substantial cash flow to sustain and bring to market its innovative programs.

If this goes through, the deal would be expected to benefit Merck in the same way AstraZeneca (AZN) benefited from Alexion, AbbVie (ABBV) with Allergan, and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) with Celgene.

While it’s risky to speculate on a potential acquisition, Merck remains a good buy regardless of the plans with Seagen.

Considering that the company’s dividend payout ratio is projected to be at 38% in 2022, its dividend seems to be safe and should be able to increase almost as fast as its earnings.

This means Merck could reasonably deliver high-single-digit yearly dividend growth, making it a stock with an excellent combo of income on the side and high growth potential.

 

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://madhedgefundtrader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/cropped-mad-hedge-logo-transparent-192x192_f9578834168ba24df3eb53916a12c882.png 0 0 Mad Hedge Fund Trader https://madhedgefundtrader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/cropped-mad-hedge-logo-transparent-192x192_f9578834168ba24df3eb53916a12c882.png Mad Hedge Fund Trader2022-06-30 16:00:532022-06-30 17:06:13A Solid Biopharma With A Gamechanger Up Its Sleeve
You might also like
No-Brainer Dividend Contender Up For Grabs
May 30, 2024
November 4, 2021
Don’t Buy AstraZeneca For Its COVID-19 Vaccine
September 17, 2020
Special Cancer Issue - Part 1

tastytrade, Inc. (“tastytrade”) has entered into a Marketing Agreement with Mad Hedge Fund Trader (“Marketing Agent”) whereby tastytrade pays compensation to Marketing Agent to recommend tastytrade’s brokerage services. The existence of this Marketing Agreement should not be deemed as an endorsement or recommendation of Marketing Agent by tastytrade and/or any of its affiliated companies. Neither tastytrade nor any of its affiliated companies is responsible for the privacy practices of Marketing Agent or this website. tastytrade does not warrant the accuracy or content of the products or services offered by Marketing Agent or this website. Marketing Agent is independent and is not an affiliate of tastytrade. 

Legal Disclaimer

There is a very high degree of risk involved in trading. Past results are not indicative of future returns. MadHedgeFundTrader.com and all individuals affiliated with this site assume no responsibilities for your trading and investment results. The indicators, strategies, columns, articles and all other features are for educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Information for futures trading observations are obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but we do not warrant its completeness or accuracy, or warrant any results from the use of the information. Your use of the trading observations is entirely at your own risk and it is your sole responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of the information. You must assess the risk of any trade with your broker and make your own independent decisions regarding any securities mentioned herein. Affiliates of MadHedgeFundTrader.com may have a position or effect transactions in the securities described herein (or options thereon) and/or otherwise employ trading strategies that may be consistent or inconsistent with the provided strategies.

Copyright © 2025. Mad Hedge Fund Trader. All Rights Reserved. support@madhedgefundtrader.com
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • FAQ
Link to: June 30, 2022 Link to: June 30, 2022 June 30, 2022 Link to: June 30, 2022 Link to: June 30, 2022 June 30, 2022
Scroll to top