Pfizer has issued a 2024 revenue guidance range of $58.5-$61.5bn, against the $58.0bn-$61.0bn expected in 2023. Following the update, consensus forecasts have fallen from $63.2bn to $60.8bn.
Revenue from COVID medicines is anticipated to fall by about $4.5bn to $8bn. The acquisition of Seagen is now due to close this week and Pfizer sees a full-year contribution of about $3.1bn. Strip out both of these moving parts and revenue is expected to grow 3-5%.
The guidance range for research & development costs has come in a little lower than this year with a range of $11.0-$12.0bn. Running costs are set to rise slightly to $13.8bn-$14.8bn.
Earnings per share are expected to rise from $1.45-$1.65 this year to $2.05-$2.25 including a negative $0.40 impact from the Seagen acquisition, largely relating to the costs to finance the transaction.
The share price fell 6.7% on the day.
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Our view
Pfizer is one of the world's largest Pharmaceutical companies. Sales and profits have fallen sharply so far this year as demand for products to prevent and treat COVID-19 has dried up. And with declines expected to continue the group's been looking at ways to refresh the product pipeline.
We're seeing modest growth elsewhere in the business, and Pfizer's looking to trim its cost base by at least $4.0bn by the end of next year. So far, it's not been enough to restore investor confidence.
Further ahead there are other threats to revenue as some key blockbuster medicines, approach the so-called patent cliff. Between 2025 and 2030, the company is facing the loss of exclusivity over several key products which together account for around $17bn of revenue.
Pfizer's banking on its ambitious research program and recent acquisitions to make a big impact on revenue by the end of the decade. However, we caution that there remain significant hurdles to success including take up by patients, and regulatory approvals. Pfizer's R&D hit rate is higher than most. Still, only about 1 in 5 make it from pre-clinical research all the way through to regulatory approval. And whilst Pfizer's program of product launches is broadly on track, there have been a few delays along the way.
Another risk is legislative action on drug pricing, and the length of time developers retain exclusivity over certain treatments, which remain firmly under the microscope of US politicians. In particular, one of Pfizer's best sellers, the blood thinner Eliquis, is one of the first drugs to be subject to price negotiations with the US Department of Health following new legislation passed earlier this year.
Pfizer's expected to significantly increase net debt this year, largely due to the $43bn acquisition of Seagen. But at about 1x underlying cash profits during the first full year of ownership, we're not too concerned.
In the short term, the deal won't be earnings enhancing. But it doubles the size of the development pipeline in cancer, with the focus shifting to novel medicines with the potential to replace chemotherapy in some tumour types. Pfizer thinks Seagen can more than quadruple revenues to over $10bn by 2030, but that's not without the usual risks of drug development. It will be a while yet before we find out if the hefty premium paid has been worth it.
Pfizer's got a strong record of commercialising blockbuster therapies. And at 9.4 times forward earnings, it's trading at the lower end of its peer group. But there's a sizeable chunk of revenue that needs to be filled as COVID-related sales dwindle, and investor sentiment's unlikely to improve until the path to profit growth becomes clearer.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) risk
Product governance is a primary driver of ESG risk for this sector, with safety and marketing of medicines the key focus. Access to medicines and their affordability, as well as business ethics concerning intellectual property rights, ethical clinical research and price collusion are other topical issues. Labour relations and Bribery and Corruption are also material ESG risks.
According to Sustainalytics, Pfizer's overall management of material ESG issues is strong, but we have some concerns. Board-level oversight is in place and there are adequate policies and programmes on bribery, corruption and whistleblowing. Implementation could be an issue, though, given it's being investigated by the SEC and Department of Justice regarding bribery allegations. Pfizer was recognised by the Access to Medicine Index for its value-based healthcare initiatives, but disclosure of list and net price changes in the US has deteriorated over the past few years. The group's transparent with its trial data, but falls short of best practice in other areas of product governance.
ESG data sourced from Sustainalytics
Pfizer key facts
All ratios are sourced from Refinitiv. Please remember yields are variable and not a reliable indicator of future income. Keep in mind key figures shouldn't be looked at on their own - it's important to understand the big picture.
This article is original Hargreaves Lansdown content, published by Hargreaves Lansdown. It was correct as at the date of publication, and our views may have changed since then. Unless otherwise stated estimates, including prospective yields, are a consensus of analyst forecasts provided by Refinitiv. These estimates are not a reliable indicator of future performance. Yields are variable and not guaranteed. Investments rise and fall in value so investors could make a loss.
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