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The Monthly Gems by Allan TongAbbVie Inc.ABBVTOP PICKOct 05, 2020

An interesting thing happened during the first U.S. presidential mudslinging, I mean, debate earlier this week: neither side bashed pharma. High drug prices for Americans (who lack universal healthcare) weren't mentioned. As a rule, they are during campaigns, and as an outcome, drug stocks take a hit. It's different in 2020 when the world is waiting for big health companies to solve Covid. AbbVie is part of this army, though it isn't leading the charge like AstraZeneca or Becton Dickinson. Rather, AbbVie is a buy after the company bought Allergan and its slate of drugs. This purchase took the burden off Humira, a hugely popular anti-arthritis drug which made up 63% of company revenues. The problem is the patents for Humira expire around the world by 2023. The Humira deal, which closed last May, fills this void by offering new, key drugs, namely Botox.
$87.93

Stock price when the opinion was issued

$227.23

As of Jun 05, 2026. Market Open.

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BUY

Is up 6% the past month. She targets $232.

BUY

If it breaks above $219, she expects it to reach $234.

HOLD

One of her holdings in the space. This higher-quality name has both growth and less execution risk.

BUY

Is up 15% the past year though flat this year. Still likes it. Their pipeline is cooking and other drugs are outpacing Humira.

BUY

Impressed how company has dealt with patent cliff on Humira. Has skillfully filled in blanks with new drugs and acquisitions. 

BUY

Is up 10% this year despite losing Humira. They have a strong drug pipeline, like Rinvoq up 40% YOY.

BUY

Abbvie and AZN are two good healthcare stocks, a sector in which you must be picky because of weakness. Both trade around 15x and pay around a 3% dividend yield.

TRADE
Good run, about 6% of a portfolio.

Seems to have grown to a bigger piece of the portfolio than the investor is comfortable with. Doesn't have too strong an opinion on this particular stock. If you want to trim, a great way is to sell a covered call -- you sell somebody the right to buy the stock from you at a higher price. 

With shares right now around $194, you can sell a September $200 call for about $4.50. If the stock doesn't go up, then you end up just hanging on to your stock.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Jan 27/25, Up 9%)

Has owned this over a decade. Loves it when they bought Allergan. The concern lay with Humira coming off patent a year ago, but they used Humira's cash flow to diversify their entire franchise. Pays a solid yield and offers around 9% EPS growth.

BUY

It's up over 8% this year, beating the market. The PE is 15x. Has consistent topline growth due to Skyrizi as well as Botox and arthritis. High-quality. Pays a 3.5% dividend.

PARTIAL BUY

Has no patent cliff. They have great franchises in oncology, immunology and others. Shares are down because bond yields are rising. Dividend pays only 3.7%, below interest rates. That said, good to start a position now given their drugs, including Botox.

BUY

Skyrizi continues to work.

BUY

His best performer so far this year, up 12%. Well-managed. They replaced Humira with hit drugs and added key companies; pays a 3.2% dividend. 

TOP PICK

It is a large cap biotech with a temporary pullback. Humera went off patent so there are some declines in revenue. He really likes the re-iteration of Humera which has taken off. Also it is re-designing a mistrial.          Buy 20  Hold 10  Sell 0

(Analysts’ price target is $203.96)
WEAK BUY

The drug companies are in the dog house. If you buy this, you must be patient. It yields 4%.