Amgen Shares Waffling Between Bullishness And Bearishness Short Term

Let's take a look at both the fundamental and technical picture for Amgen to get a clearer picture of who will win the battle between the bulls and the bears.

What The Bulls See In Amgen

• Some reasonable valuation metrics:
• An enterprise value of $127 billion that exceeds the market capitalization of $123 billion
• Net profit margins of 25.71 percent that spin off over $6.41 billion in positive levered, free cash flow annually
• Good management effectiveness metrics:
• Return on assets of 6.35 percent
• Return on equity of 21.55 percent
• A nice current ratio of 4.95
• A dividend yield of 1.9 percent annually

Related Link: Oppenheimer: 3 Healthcare Stocks An 2 Energy Stocks To Buy Now

What The Bears See In Amgen

• Some rich valuation metrics:
• A price-to-sales ratio of 6.07
• A price-to-book ratio of 4.74
• A PE ratio of just under 16 versus estimated revenue and earnings growth rates for next year of 4 percent and 12 percent, respectively
• Some questionable balance sheet metrics:
• Total debt of $30 billion versus total cash of $27 billion
• Total debt-to-equity ratio of 119.15 percent

The Technical Take On Amgen Shares

Technicians note that Amgen failed to make a new all-time high during the most recent rally, unlike so many of their biotechnology brethren. The stock now appears to be in the midst of a downside correction with support coming in at around $155 to $157, where the short-term uptrend line comes into play (with corresponding horizontal line support).

If that level fails to hold up for the bulls, the February low at $147.42 would likely come into play. Resistance for Amgen comes in at horizontal line at $163.46 and is backed up by the daily closing high for AMGN at $171.64.

Overall

Amgen may end up being a screaming "buy" at some point soon, but that will likely only be the case once more of a sell-off takes prices down to support at $155.

At that level, valuations may still not be irresistible, but technical buyers will be trying their hand. Fundamental buyers would likely require more of a decline to allow valuations to become more favorable.