I have now decided to reallocate the European stocks. The money is now flowing into Vertex Pharmaceutical $VRTX (-0,44%) and Cintas $CTAS (+0,17%) and my ETF $SPYI (+0,26%)

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- DEUTSCHE BANK RESEARCH raises the price target for NIKE from USD 82 to USD 84. Buy. $NKE (-6,85%)

- RBC raises the price target for ALPHABET A SHARE from USD 210 to USD 235. Outperform. $GOOGL (+0,94%)

- RBC raises the price target for AMAZON from USD 225 to USD 255. Outperform. $AMZN (+0,26%)

- RBC raises the price target for META from USD 630 to USD 700. Outperform. $META (-2,23%)

- ODDO BHF raises the target price for MUNICH RE from EUR 540 to EUR 555. Outperform. $MUV2 (-1,1%)

- ODDO BHF upgrades HERMES to Neutral. Target price EUR 2315. $RMS (+0,75%)

- ODDO BHF raises the target price for AIRBUS from EUR 168 to EUR 180. Outperform. $AIR (-0,84%)

- ODDO BHF raises the price target for FRAPORT from EUR 58 to EUR 61. Outperform. $FRA (+5,53%)

- JPMORGAN raises the target price for FEDEX from USD 366 to USD 370. Overweight. $FDX (-8,08%)

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- GOLDMAN lowers the price target for NIKE from USD 97 to USD 91. Buy. $NKE (-6,85%)

- BOFA lowers the price target for NIKE from USD 95 to USD 90. Buy. $NKE (-6,85%)

- ODDO BHF downgrades CARBIOS to Neutral. $ALCRB (+3,49%)

- KEPLER CHEUVREUX lowers the price target for LANXESS from EUR 31 to EUR 30. Buy. $LXS (-0,26%)

- HAUCK AUFHÄUSER IB lowers the target price for DEUTZ from EUR 8.50 to EUR 7. Buy. $DEZ (-1,18%)

- BARCLAYS lowers the price target for VERTEX from USD 509 to USD 418. Equal-Weight. $VRTX (-0,44%)

- GOLDMAN lowers the price target for BIRKENSTOCK from 59.10 USD to 57.90 USD. Neutral. $BIRK (+4,23%)

- GOLDMAN downgrades TEAMVIEWER from Buy to Neutral and lowers target price from EUR 17 to EUR 12. $TMV (-2,93%)

$VRTX (-0,44%)

Vertex Pharmaceuticals ( VRTX ) reported early Thursday that its non-opioid drug met its main goal of relieving back pain in a mid-stage trial. However, Vertex shares plunged as a placebo showed similar relief.

Vertex's experimental oral drug suzetrigine showed a statistically significant reduction in patients with painful lumbosacral radiculopathy (LSR). On the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), the drug showed a mean change of -2.02 after 12 weeks.

In patients who received a placebo, the reduction was comparable at -1.98.

Expectations for Vertex's non-opioid drug were higher as it has the potential for a huge market.

Vertex stock

Vertex shares plunged more than 10% in pre-market trading, indicating a possible two-year low at the start of trading.

https://www.investors.com/news/technology/vertex-non-opioid-drug-placebo-back-pain-study-vrtx-stock/

$BLUE is slowly making progress again

CMS enters agreement with Vertex ($VRTX (-0,44%) ), bluebird to improve access to gene therapies

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/cms-enters-agreement-with-vertex-bluebird-improve-access-gene-therapies-2024-12-04/

As I already have Vertex $VRTX (-0,44%) already in my portfolio, I will simply buy the competitor after the good quarterly figures. Perhaps there will be a takeover.

https://www.marketbeat.com/instant-alerts/nasdaq-krys-boost-price-target-2024-11-05/

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Q3 2024 $VRTX (-0,44%)

Financial performance

• Product salesVertex recorded a 12% increase in product sales to USD 2.77 billion in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023. This growth was largely driven by the strong performance of TRIKAFTA/KAFTRIO.
• Full year guidanceThe company raised its full-year product sales guidance to a range of USD 10.8 to 10.9 billion.

Balance sheet overview

• Total assetsAs of September 30, 2024, total assets amounted to USD 22.24 billion, compared to USD 22.73 billion at the end of 2023.
• Cash and cash equivalentsCash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled USD 11.2 billion as of September 30, 2024, a decrease from USD 13.7 billion at the end of 2023.

Statement of income

• Net incomeGAAP net income in the third quarter of 2024 was USD 1.045 billion, corresponding to diluted earnings per share (EPS) of USD 4.01.
• Operating incomeNon-GAAP operating income for the third quarter of 2024 was USD 1.31 billion, with an operating margin of 47

Cash flow overview

The decrease in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities is due to the acquisition of Alpine Immune Sciences and share repurchases.

Key figures and profitability metrics

• Non-GAAP operating marginOperating margin remained stable at 47% in the third quarter of 2024
• Non-GAAP effective tax rate: The effective tax rate was around 19.8% for the third quarter of 2024

Segment information

• Cystic fibrosis (CF): The CF segment continued to record rising sales figures, with TRIKAFTA/KAFTRIO playing a key role.
• New product launches: Preparations are underway for the market launch of the vanzacaftor triple combination preparation for CF and suzetrigine for acute pain treatment.

Competitive position

Vertex is consolidating its leading position in CF through new approvals and reimbursements. In addition, the pipeline shows progress with several programs in phase 3.

Forecasts and management comments

Management expects further growth in the CF segment and successful product launches such as CASGEVY and Suzetrigine.

Opportunities and risks

• OpportunitiesPotential market launches of new products and the development of new patient groups.
• RisksPossible delays in approvals and challenges in securing reimbursement.

Summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals delivered solid financial results in the third quarter of 2024 with significant revenue growth, particularly in the area of CF therapies. The company is well prepared for future growth, supported by a strong pipeline and upcoming product launches. However, there are risks with regard to regulatory approvals and market access. Financial stability remains robust, supported by substantial cash reserves and a solid balance sheet structure.

Positive aspects

• Sales growthVertex recorded a 12% increase in product sales to USD 2.77 billion in the third quarter of 2024, driven by the strong performance of TRIKAFTA/KAFTRIO.
• Increased full-year guidanceThe company has raised its full-year product sales guidance to USD 10.8 to 10.9 billion, indicating confidence in further growth.
• Strong pipeline progressVertex is advancing several programs into Phase 3, including povetacicept for IgA nephropathy and VX-880 for type 1 diabetes, underscoring its robust pipeline.
• Strategic acquisitionsThe acquisition of Alpine Immune Sciences is expected to provide Vertex with additional capabilities and support future growth.
• Stable non-GAAP operating margin: Non-GAAP operating margin remained strong at 47% in Q3 2024, reflecting efficient cost control

Negative aspects

• Decrease in cash and cash equivalentsCash, cash equivalents and marketable securities decreased to USD 11.2 billion from USD 13.7 billion at the end of 2023, mainly due to acquisitions and share buybacks.
• High R&D and SG&A costsIncreased research and development (R&D) and selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses partially offset sales growth and reflect rising operating costs.
• Regulatory and reimbursement risksPossible delays in regulatory approvals and challenges in securing reimbursement for new products such as CASGEVY and Suzetrigine.
• Fluctuations in net profitDespite strong sales growth, net profit showed volatility due to increased expenses and acquisition-related costs.
• Challenges in market accessOngoing commercial negotiations and the need for reimbursement agreements in various regions indicate potential market access barriers.

As already announced in one of my last posts, here is the follow-up purchase of $11B (-2,82%)

We have now reached a relatively good bottom. Should we fall again towards €55, I would consider buying more. In addition to my own analysis (see my profile), the decisive factor for the purchase at this point in time was that 2 insiders have now struck in the sell-off. The two supervisory board members Piotr Wierzbicki and Marcin Kuciapski have generously dipped into their own pockets. Marcin in particular has been buying steadily over the last few years and has now made his biggest purchase to date.

However, I assume that the recovery could continue until the middle of next year. Then I will have to judge whether my assessments were correct.

Further additional purchases in the current market environment include:

$MSFT (-1,05%)

$EW (+0,43%)

$OKTA (+0,68%)

$JEN (+0,81%)

$V (-0,14%)

$VRTX (-0,44%)

Vertex Pharmaceuticals as a secret favorite?

$VRTX (-0,44%)

Vertex Pharmaceuticals as an insider favorite?

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is no longer such an insider tip - after all, the stock is already a component of many successful biotech funds. Nevertheless, some investors may not yet be completely familiar with the stock. Vertex also has a monopoly position in the biotech sector when it comes to the treatment of cystic fibrosis. In the second quarter, the Group was already able to increase sales of its proprietary CF drug by six percent year-on-year to USD 2.65 billion.

Vertex is also working on an improved therapy for the disease. Sales could therefore soon grow exponentially. The company is also active in the field of genetic research. Of particular interest, however, is the drug Suzetrigin, which is intended to relieve acute pain and was submitted for approval by the FDA at the beginning of the year. The drug could be an alternative with blockbuster potential, especially for opioids with similar effects, which are controversial due to their numerous side effects. An investment in October could therefore still be worthwhile before the biotech shares report the next breakthroughs.

BÖRSELl ONLINE

https://www.vrtx.com/our-company/

Hey guys,

What's at the top of your watchlist at the moment? 😎 I'll make a start: $VRTX (-0,44%)
$BLK (+0,12%)
$SYK (+1,48%)
$SNPS (-1,06%)
$8031 (-0,85%)
$STLAM (-0,17%)

Have a great Sunday!

Companies that I find interesting but do not yet have in my portfolio and that have a 10-year average ROIC of over 10% and a 5-year average ROCE and ROIC of over 10%, $ANET, $MA (-0,34%) , $VRTX (-0,44%) , $RMS (+0,75%) , $PGHN (-0,02%) , $COLO B (+0,94%) , $ACN (-1,66%) , $MNST (-0,16%)
$FICO (+1,63%) , $MCO (+0,31%) , $KNIN (+0,44%) , $S&P Global, $ISRG (-0,89%)
$III (+0%) , $BKNG (-1,19%)
$HLAG (+1,67%) , $QCOM (+2,48%) , $CFR (+0,21%) and $IFX (-1,35%) . Already blatant companies