Barron's Picks And Pans: Conagra, JPMorgan, L Brands, Weight Watchers And More

• This weekend's Barron's cover story looks at why pharmaceutical giants are making big bets on gene therapy.
• Other featured articles examine problems with packaged food companies and which high-yield dividends are safest.
• Also, the prospects for a weight-loss products leader and a fashion retailer.

"Why Big Pharma Is Diving Into Gene Therapy" by Andrew Bary takes a look at what the likes of Crispr Therapeutics AG CRSP and Editas Medicine Inc EDIT have to offer to pharmaceutical giants.

In "Here's the Real Problem For Big Food Companies," Jack Hough shows how the issues with packaged food brands are much more complicated than just cost cutting. See what is and isn't working for Conagra Brands Inc CAG and others.

Jack Hough's "What's Eating Weight Watchers Stock" find out what the CEO of Weight Watchers International, Inc. WTW thinks are to blame for some of the company's woes. Don't cry for Oprah, says the article.

AbbVie Inc ABBV and JPMorgan Chase & Co. JPM are among the high-yielding stocks that top the ranks for dividend safety, according to "10 Stocks With Safe, Generous Dividends" by Lawrence C. Strauss.

In Ben Levisohn's "Battered L Brands Is Still Not a Buy," see why, even though L Brands Inc LB said "everything is on the table" when it comes to rejuvenating the Victoria's Secret brand, that still might not be enough.

Also in this week's Barron's:

• How to lower your bill next year
• The single woman's guide to retirement planning
• Whether budget deficits matter
• Foldable phones as the next big thing
• Whether sustainable investment returns will win over critics