Sometimes, the stock market just doesnt make any sense. Take, for example, AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN) (NYSE: AZN.US). It is currently in the midst of a patent cliff and its bottom line is continuing to fall at a fairly rapid rate. For example, earnings are set to be 13% lower this year and a further 6% lower next year. However, shares in the company are up 27% since the turn of the year.
While this could be viewed as an obvious reason to sell, now could actually prove to be a great time to buy a slice of AstraZeneca for these four reasons.
- Despite the companys share price rising so strongly in 2014, it still offers good relative value for money. For instance, AstraZeneca currently trades on a price to earnings (P/E) ratio of 17.2, which may seem rather high when the FTSE 100 has a P/E of 13.8. However, sector peerShiretraded on a P/E of 20+ before it was bought out by US healthcare giantAbbVie. Therefore, while AstraZeneca is not exactly cheap, it could see its rating move higher over the medium term as it begins to exit its patent cliff.
- AstraZenecas pipeline is in much better shape than it was a year or two ago. New management has ended the share buyback programme, maintained the dividend and focused on acquiring drugs and companies that have the potential to boost sales over the long run. For instance, AstraZeneca has purchased Bristol-Myers Squibbs share of their diabetes joint-venture, which could yield improved sales and profitability moving forward.
- Bid approaches from Pfizer have helped support AstraZenecas share price during 2014 and more bids could be on the horizon. Thats because a number of large, US pharmaceutical companies are struggling to deliver top- and bottom-line growth. So, with interest rates low, M&A activity seems to be an obvious fix and AstraZeneca, as we have seen in 2014, is an obvious candidate for a takeover.
- Although its share price has risen strongly, AstraZeneca remains a company that offers a decent yield of 3.7%. With sales and profitability growth offering huge long-term growth potential, shareholders could see dividends per share rise at a brisk pace over the medium term. This, along with AstraZenecas bid potential, attractive relative valuation and impressive pipeline, means that it could be worth buying right now.
Despite this, AstraZeneca isn’t the only company that could prove to be a great buy. That’s why we’ve put together a free and without obligation guide to where we think the smart money is headed.
The guide is simple, clear and actionable – you can put it to use right away on your own portfolio. It could help you to invest your cash in the most profitable stocks and sectors, thereby making 2014 and beyond even better years for your finances!
Click here for your copy of the guide – it’s completely free and comes without any further obligation.
Peter Stephens owns shares of AstraZeneca. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
