JPMorgan Analyst Defends Valeant, Says Two-Thirds Of Revenues Continue To Perform

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  • Shares of Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc VRX have been taking it on the chin recently. The stock lost more than 50 percent over the past month on the back of the Citron saga.
  • However, analysts at JPMorgan believe fundamentals remain intact, despite the near-term impact of the controversy.
  • In a report issued Monday, they provided some reasons to maintain an Overweight rating on the issue.
  • Valeant hosted a shareholder conference call on Monday morning, sharing updates on its businesses. Analysts at JPMorgan noted that, encouragingly, the call was focused on Valeant’s fundamentals, which seem to remain intact.

    While the experts recognize the near-term business impact from the recent controversy surrounding the company’s dermatology and neurology franchises, they pointed out that management assured that the remaining businesses, which account for more than two-thirds of its total revenue, continue to perform satisfactorily.

    While the analysts do understand that it is not easy to “quantify what will change sentiment,” they see Monday’s call as a good first step.

    Related Link: Mallinckrodt: The Latest To Feel Citron's Wrath

    Call Highlights

    Below are a few highlights from JPMorgan’s report.

    • 1. After discontinuing Philidor, Valeant is assessing alternative access programs. Management anticipates this will be in place within 90 days.
    • 2. Although management sees near-term impact to its dermatology and neurology businesses, they believe the longer-term effects are limited.
    • 3. The rest of the business units, which contribute more than 2/3 of revenue, continue to perform nicely. “The gastroenterology business continues to represent a growth driver for the company, particularly with Xifaxan scripts up 36 percent YoY QTD,” the experts expounded. “Management also noted 20 percent YoY growth QTD for the contact lens business, high-single-digit growth for the consumer business, and double-digit growth for the dental business, as well as double-digit operating growth in EM-Asia and high-single-digit operating growth in EM-EMEA.”
    • 4. The analysts expect Valeant to quickly de-lever in 2016.

    Disclosure: Javier Hasse holds no positions in any of the securities mentioned above.

    Image Credit: Public Domain
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