Editor’s Note: Related tickers: VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ:VVUS), Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARNA), Amgen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN)
4 Pharmaceutical Stocks to Sell Now (InvestorPlace)
The ratings of four Pharmaceutical stocks are down this week, according to the Portfolio Grader database. Each of these rates a “D” (“sell”) or “F” overall (“strong sell”). VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ:VVUS) is on the decline this week, earning a D (“sell”) after receiving a C (“hold”) last week. VIVUS is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of therapeutic products for large underserved markets. For Portfolio Grader’s specific subcategory of Equity, VVUS also gets an F. The stock price has dropped 6.1% over the past month, worse than the 1.3% decrease the Nasdaq has seen over the same period of time. As of Aug. 16, 2013, 30.4% of outstanding VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ:VVUS) shares were held short. For a full analysis of VVUS stock, visit Portfolio Grader.
Arena Pharmaceuticals: Right Stock, Wrong Time (ARNA) (SmallCapNetwork)
Merely expressing an opinion on Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARNA) over the past year and a half has been a miserable experience. When I was bullish on the weight-loss drug company in early May of last year, I was criticized. Then when I was bearish on the stock after Belviq (Lorcaserin at the time) was approved in June of that year, a whole different batch of people gave me a rough time regarding my then-bearish stance on ARNA. Now, I’m thick-skinned, so I don’t mind even the “colorful disagreements”. Just for the record, though, I was right on both counts. Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARNA) soared between late May and late June, and then in late June – when it should have been rallying in the afterglow of a drug’s approval – the stock floundered its way into a slow, grinding downtrend.
Amgen’s Onyx Acquisition Could be Delayed – Analyst Blog (Nasdaq)
Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ( ONXX ) which put itself for sale and is on the lookout for potential bidders may face some delay in its endeavors. According to a report published by Bloomberg, Onyx Pharma is now faced with delays over a dispute with its potential buyer Amgen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN). Though the two parties have reportedly agreed to a price, report from Bloomberg says that Amgen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) has asked for data from an ongoing study of Kyprolis. Onyx Pharma investors have reacted negatively to the news with the share prices falling by more than 7%.
Bargain Bin Stocks: VVUS Now 14.9% Cheaper Than Director Mario’s Buy (Forbes)
There’s an old saying on Wall Street about insider buying: there are many possible reasons to sell a stock, but only one reason to buy. Back on May 29, VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ:VVUS)’s Director, Ernest Mario, invested $220,206.00 into 15,000 shares of VVUS, for a cost per share of $14.68. Bargain hunters tend to pay particular attention to insider buys like this one, because presumably the only reason an insider would take their hard-earned cash and use it to buy stock of their company in the open market, is that they expect to make money. …In trading on Thursday, bargain hunters could buy shares of VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ:VVUS) and achieve a cost basis 14.9% cheaper than Mario, with shares changing hands as low as $12.49 per share. Vivus, Inc. shares are currently trading down about 2.6% on the day.
