On July 23, 2009 Wyeth Inc. (WYE) reported financial results for the period ending June 30, 2009. Revenue came in at $5,695 million, compared to our and the Street’s estimates of $5,620 million and $5,580 million, respectively. Revenue was down 4% on a reported basis but up 2% excluding the impact from foreign exchange (Fx).  Revenues were driven by products like Prevnar and Enbrel. Prevnar sales came in at $783 million, up 13% y-o-y (up 24% excluding Fx). We remain bullish on the future prospects for the vaccine.  Enbrel, which is partnered with Amgen (AMGN), contributed $736 million, up 6% (up 21% excluding Fx). Enbrel is facing tough competition from J&J’s (JNJ) Remicade and Abbott’s (ABT) Humira. Besides this, J&J has two other autoimmune compounds drugs, Stelara and Simponi, which could provide significant competition. Nutritionals grew 1% (+9% excluding Fx) to $436 million. ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL - June 25, 2009 - Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Baker-Hughes (BHI), Weatherford (WFT), AutoZone (AZO), Wyeth, Inc. (WYE) and Pfizer (PFE).

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Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst Blog:

Fed: No Changes

Regarding the economic backdrop, the relative improvement was clearly stated. The Fed painted an accurate picture, describing the ongoing weakness but acknowledging that the rate of deterioration is slowing.

We are gradually moving towards what should become a period of slow growth. As such, investors may

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We currently rate shares of Wyeth, Inc. (WYE) a Hold with a $49 price target. Our target assumes Pfizer's (PFE) shares trade up near $16.00 (currently $14.85) by the expected close date in the third or fourth quarter. At an exchange ratio of 0.985 and combined with the $33 cash per Wyeth share, this equates to roughly $49 per share.Revenue in 2008 grew 2% and was up 1% excluding the benefit from foreign exchange. EPS was flat from 2007 on lower interest income and a higher tax rate, partially offset by lower SG&A spend. Revenue in the first quarter 2009 was lower than our forecast. This was largely due to a stronger-than-expected impact from foreign exchange, lower contribution from Alliance revenue (as a result of softer U.S. sales of Enbrel) and weaker-than-expected international sales of Effexor.Global economic weakness also ...

Obama's Healthcare Plan Is Big Bark, Small Bite by Jason Napodano, CFA

When President Obama's administration released the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, drug stocks quickly dropped. Fears of socialized medicine, or "Hillary-Care 2.0" turned investors away from the sector.

Was the drop warranted?

There are 6 key components to healthcare reform that could have a meaningful impact on pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in the near future.Four of these are potentially negative, whereas the other 2 are potentially positive.

First Potential Negative: Increasing Pricing Rebates

The new proposal calls for an increase in Medicaid rebates from the current level of 15% to 21%. This equates to a 6% decrease in pricing power by all the companies in our universe into the Medicaid market. If we delve deeper into the ramification of this

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