CHASAM

Is the Winner Pfizer, Merck or Roche?

You call this an "article". Sounds like a pack of worthless musings to me.

Taking Stock in Pfizer Inc.

This is an article that is hard to either heartily disagree with or dismiss as another Pfizer bashing by a less than informed source. Well informed source that has both positive and negative aspects, the kind of approach it is good to see.

The section on drug trials and clinical development was particularly good. The article provides excellent insight into the process and is food for thought for all those "lean pipeline" critics of Pfizer. If someone can tell me who has the strongest pipeline and what drugs in it are going to be even semi-blockbusters ($.5B)I would welcome that information.

I believe that Jeffrey Kindler was a god-send to Pfizer. It is difficult to turn a supertanker (Pfizer)in a tight radius (time). I believe he brings intelligence, foresight and intestinal fortitude (b**ls)to the company, a much needed combination of traits for any companies CEO. I believe the article recognizes this.

When it comes to the rest of Pfizer's senior management, I think that the author is a bit harsh. Personally, I view those assets that the author seems to regard as a hindrance as an asset; well grounded in intelligence and experience. I'll take those characteristics in my company anytime.

Despite my disagreement with some aspects of this article, I must rate it as a plus for overall coverage. We all have our opinions.

The Obama Health Plan's Impact on Pfizer: Final Nail in the Coffin or New Beginning?

Blue:
Informative reply. Great thing about "Seeling Alpha"; it throws a wide net and captures a broad range of views regarding it's subject matter. Knowledge is everything in the investment field.
My best to you and Daisy.

The Obama Health Plan's Impact on Pfizer: Final Nail in the Coffin or New Beginning?

Your arguments may be "True Blue", however from what I have read it appears that this merger does not have significant problems in the area of anti-trust from the Justice Department. Check several recent articles in "Seeking Alpha" by "M&A Researcher" that indicate smooth sailing. With a handle like this, I would have to believe that they have a pretty good grasp on the M&A business.
Hopefully, I am not dreaming, however it would appear that PFE has a more positive outlook on the Animal Health sector than you. I am treading lightly here as I noticed that your comment was published at 04:47 AM. You MUST be in the farm business.





On Mar 04 04:47 AM Blue Cod wrote:

> CHASAM: "It also makes the PFE/WYE combination the undisputed leader
> in Animal Health"...
>
> Some pertinent remarks to consider:
>
> Well, yes, such an incongruous wad of PFE/WYE animal health business
> would theoretically create the big kahuna of animal health companies
> but the big elephant in this room is yet to be heard from yet...The
> FTC and monopolies commissions in key animal health markets.
>
> The Pfizer and Wyeth animal health entities are far from complementary.
> Indeed, if anyone is familiar with the animal health businesses of
> these two companies, it is difficult to discover any positive synergies.
> They are direct and major competitors across several product ranges
> and in their global distribution networks. If there is doubt about
> this, consider that US farmer and rancher groups are already gearing
> up to fight the merger as anti-competitive.
>
> Anti-trust authorities around the world will not let Pfizer and Wyeth
> have a "pass" on the combination of the Pfizer and Fort Dodge Animal
> Health businesses. There are only two possibilities: 1) A significant
> spin-off of very large chunks of the business (e.g. veterinary vaccines
> where there is a considerable overlap) or 2) completely divesting
> of Fort Dodge Animal health as a separate entity.
>
> Many animal health competitors are sitting in the wings like hungry
> vultures to pick up the profitable pieces that could be spun off
> from a potential deal. But Pfizer will certainly not be keen to set
> up any new competitors with any of the juicy remnants. That remains
> the crux of this deal.
>
> Let's not dream here. The animal health industry is in a long period
> of consolidation with little innovation creating major organic growth
> opportunities. There are few new blockbuster products on the horizon
> for either Pfizer or Wyeth in the animal health business.
>
> This deal will only result in a serious decline in revenues caused
> by an extensive reconciliation of competing product lines, major
> layoffs, and the loss of expertise, research and manufacturing facilities
> that carry GMP approvals for critical overseas product approvals.
>
>
> Relative to size and strategic desire of the PFE/WYE human health
> deal, the animal health business has limited added value. Given the
> anti-trust hurdles ahead, it may be much more trouble than its worth.
> Look for 1 + 1 equaling something substantially less than two. <br/>
>
> In the meantime, take the cheer leading and hype of financial analysts
> pushing this animal health deal with a grain of salt and a healthy
> dose of skepticism. There is still a lot of water to flow under this
> bridge yet.
>
>

The Obama Health Plan's Impact on Pfizer: Final Nail in the Coffin or New Beginning?

Pfizer has bought back some $ 19 billion of its stock since 2005. I am also sure that both Coke & Pepsi would be shocked to hear that their respective products are "generic". A generic is an item or product that is not protected by trademark registration or is nonproprietary. Your comments indicate a rather poor understanding of too many factors to be taken seriously.


On Mar 03 09:57 PM Steve R. wrote:

> Pfizer needs to get rid of Kindler and hire some management from
> a company that sells generic products such as Coke or Pepsi. If you
> are losing your proprietary products learn to sell the generics!
>
>
> The negative reaction of the stock market to the Pfizer/Wyeth deal
> is a clear signal that the proposed acquistion was BAD. Had a good
> deal, from the Pfizer perspective been signed, the stock would have
> gone up in price.
>
> Since Pfizer has to downsize, instead of stealing Pfizer shareholder
> equity to buy Wyeth, why wasn't management buying Pfizer stock to
> support the share price for the benefit of the Pfizer shareholders?
> Also don't forget that every share bought would have meant less to
> pay out in dividends.

The Obama Health Plan's Impact on Pfizer: Final Nail in the Coffin or New Beginning?

Pfizer will become a better and stronger company over the next three to five years. I personally believe that Mr. Kindler is doing an excellent job running the company. While everyone is crowing about leadership, the purchase of WYE shows me some strong leadership; a clear view of the future. WYE provides PFE with a quantum leap into the repidly growing vaccine business. WYE's Prevnar is the largest selling vaccine in the world, with sales continuing to grow. Prevnar II is in the works and promises to be equally lucrative and I might add equally efficacious. It also makes the PFE/WYE combination the undisputed leader in Animal Health, another segment that is growing faster than the general pharma industry. Those who banter on incessantly about the expiration of the Lipitor patent must believe that PFE is going to roll over and let the generics take it all. Don't bet on it.
Despite the above mentioned challenges, the pharmaceutical industry will not cease to exist. When the dust settles, Pfizer will still be #1.

Innovative Investments in Animal Healthcare

The combination of PFE and Wyeth will make PFE by far the major player in this rapidly expanding field.

Pfizer's Purchase of Wyeth Is Puzzling

There is little question that the loss of patent protection on Lipitor will hurt Pfizer. However, I am continually baffled by the references to the weakness of their pipeline. Who has a strong pipeline and how do you measure it? Numbers of drugs in stage III trials certainly is no indication, too many of them fail. Who has produced a true blockbuster recently?
Time will tell and it only takes one.

AAA U.S. Credit Card ABS Can Withstand Significant Stress

Who would believe any of the credit rating services? They have little, if any crditability left. I would disagree with "helplessobserver" however, they are perhaps a tad below Mr. Madoff.

Poor Strategy Is Costly

John:
Your article sounds more like an exercise in the English language than anything substantive. Is the redbaron's astute observation that "money they have spent on advertising has been largely wasted" substantiated in fact or just his sage opinion?

Should We Really Bail Out the Big Three Automakers with $73.20 Per Hour Labor?

This isn't over yet. The politicians have yet to be heard and I can imagine some of them are screaming bloody murder.
The simple fact of the matter is Henry Paulson read the article and discovered the average autoworker was making more than he was and he nixed the deal.
Nice work Mark!

U.S. Economy: There Are No Problems, Only Solutions

Moon:

Then what did you imply by your comment on the Austrian School and fractional reserve banking?
If the good Mr. Jefferson was with us now, I believe that he would have been pleasantly surprised by the service that our banking system has provided to us over the centuries. And yes, there has been some disservice. However, the positives have certainly outweighrd the negatives. Lets not "throw out the baby with the bath water"! (Sorry, I don't know who receives credit for that quote).
Moon, lets call it a truce. We know where we each stand on the issue. I feel that I have learned from our dialoque.
Regards,
Chasam
P.S. Who said "knowledge is power"?

U.S. Economy: There Are No Problems, Only Solutions

Moon:

Lord Acton said a lot of things, some of them intrinsically true and others debateable. However, just like you, he certainly was no economist nor financial maven. You seem to intimate that because he said it, it must be true.
Your Austrian School comment provides more insight into your commentary. There are no reputable economists currently considered to be members of the Austrian School, unless you consider Ron Paul an economist. Give me a break on this back to the Gold Standard drivel.

U.S. Economy: There Are No Problems, Only Solutions

I believe that momomeister said it best, "are you kidding me"! If all your suggestions were put into place there would indeed be blood in the streets. I do not speak of the financial cliche, I mean real human blood like you and I have. How long do you think it would take for the country to recover after experiencing such an economic and social debacle?

Why do you think that so many nations hold our Treasury Bills? Our ability to produce and our political stability. After your curative methodology was installed our ability to finance our future would be severely compromised.

What the hell planet are all you financial geniuses from who would cut off your nose to spite your face? Get real!

We Have a Debt to Discharge

Long term, Mr. Merkel may be right. (Note: I said may be). I wonder where we would be at present without some form of government intervention? Would the American people have stood for such a condition?
The "Apocalypse Now " is perhaps the answer to the former and social upheaval the latter. Are we, the American people, ready for this now? I doubt it.
Is it not better to attempt to survive the current situation, although that may entail the bailout of many of those responsible for our current dilemma, and then attempt to put in place measures that will prevent it's reoccurrence? I think so.
David; we all have skin in this game!