The shares of Biogen Inc (NASDAQ:BIIB) were down by 21.52% after missing analysts’ revenue expectations for the quarter and slashing its revenue guidance for the full fiscal year. The biopharmaceutical company reported revenues of $2.59 billion compared to market expectations of $2.73 billion, for the second quarter of 2015. Despite its better-than-expected earnings per share of $4.22 , with Wall Street expectating of $4.10, the shares plummeted. The primary reason for the drop was a lower annual earnings per share guidance update of between $15.50 and $15.95 against its earlier estimate of $16.60 to $17.00. Biogen Inc (NASDAQ:BIIB) reported 7% year-over-year growth in its revenues compared to the prior year quarter along with a 21% increase in its non-GAAP diluted EPS. Another reason behind the bearish market sentiment is the net sales of TECFIDERA missing analysts’ estimates of $909 million with reported sales of $883 million. It is the primary product in Biogen’s portfolio, and is used for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis.
The CEO of Biogen Inc (NASDAQ:BIIB), George A. Scangos, Ph.D., was optimistic about the increasing usage of the drug by patients. He said, “TECFIDERA, which is now the most prescribed oral MS therapy globally, is experiencing moderated patient growth following rapid initial uptake. The launch of PLEGRIDY® is expanding into new markets, and TYSABRI® continues to add new patients requiring higher efficacy.”
Today’s trading session has wiped out the gains achieved by the shares of Biogen Inc (NASDAQ:BIIB) in 2015, with its shares now down by over 11% year-to-date. Smart money held a bullish outlook of the company during the first quarter, with aggregate investments of $3.41 billion from 64 hedge fund managers against investments of $2.77 billion from 57 hedge fund investors as of December 31. The shares of Biogen Inc (NASDAQ:BIIB) improved by 23.39% in the first quarter, boosting the net investments from hedge fund managers, though they also added to their collective share total.
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The insiders at Biogen Inc have disposed of their stakes in the company with seeming vigor, with at least 41 insider sales in 2015. Eric Rowinsky, Director at Biogen, sold 23,333 shares of the company in four individual transactions this year, with the largest transaction occurring on March 20 and involving 11,667 shares.
Let’s analyze the key hedgie action regarding Biogen Idec Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB) to see where the smart money went wrong.
