Strong Sales and Healthcare Reforms Benefit Earnings - Research Report on Gilead, Pfizer, Merck, AbbVie, and LifePoint

NEW YORK, July 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

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Today, Analysts' Corner announced new research reports highlighting Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD), Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE), Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK), AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV), and LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. (NASDAQ: LPNT). Today's readers may access these reports free of charge - including full price targets, industry analysis and analyst ratings - via the links below.

Gilead Sciences, Inc. Research Report

On July 25, 2013, Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Gilead) reported its financial results for Q2 2013. The Company reported that its total revenues during Q2 2013 increased 15.1% YoY to $2.8 billion, with product sales increasing 14.5% YoY to $2.7 billion, and royalty, contract, and other revenues increasing 31.2% YoY to $110.1 million. Net income attributable to Gilead was $772.6 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, in Q2 2013, compared to $711.6 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, in Q2 2012. Further, non-GAAP net income for Q2 2013, which excludes acquisition-related, restructuring, and stock-based compensation expense, was $839.7 million or $0.50 per diluted share, compared to $767.3 million or $0.49 per diluted share, in Q2 2012. The Full Research Report on Gilead Sciences, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/9898_GILD]

Pfizer Inc. Research Report

On July 25, 2013, Pfizer Inc. (Pfizer) expressed disappointment after the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) re-confirmed its April 25, 2013, decision to recommend against approval of XELJANZ (tofacitinib citrate) for the treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Pfizer stated that after a re-examination of the application as requested by the Company, the CHMP is of the opinion that XELJANZ does not demonstrate a favorable benefit-risk profile. Dr. Steven Romano, Senior Vice President and the head of the Medicines Development Group for Pfizer Special Care, said, "The clinical experience with XELJANZ to date, which includes data from approximately 5,000 patients treated for RA, demonstrates a consistent efficacy and safety profile across a range of patient types and a risk profile that is familiar to rheumatologists who have experience utilizing the range of treatments available to treat this disease. We believe that the benefit:risk profile of XELJANZ is favorable, and we remain committed to working with the EMA to make XELJANZ available to appropriate patients in Europe." The Full Research Report on Pfizer Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/d702_PFE]

Merck & Co., Inc. Research Report

On July 26, 2013, Merck & Co., Inc. (Merck) issued a statement regarding the conclusion of the EMA for CHMP review of GLP-1, or incretin-based therapies, including sitagliptin. According to the EMA, "Investigation into GLP-1 based diabetes therapies concluded: No new concerns for GLP-1 therapies identified on the basis of available evidence." Michael Rosenblatt, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Merck, said, "We are confident in the safety profile of sitagliptin, an important medicine to help adults with type 2 diabetes lower their blood sugar levels." He added, "The efficacy and safety profile of sitagliptin supports its use in a wide range of adult patients with type 2 diabetes. We will continue to monitor the safety of sitagliptin in close collaboration with regulatory agencies and scientific experts." The Full Research Report on Merck & Co., Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/430d_MRK]

AbbVie Inc. Research Report

On July 26, 2013, AbbVie Inc. (AbbVie) reported its financial results for Q2 2013. The Company reported that its net sales grew 4.4% YoY to $4.7 billion, primarily driven by the continued strength of HUMIRA, as well as double-digit growth from key products including Synthroid, Creon, Zemplar, and Duodopa. Net earnings were $1.1 billion, or $0.66 per diluted share, in Q2 2013, compared to $1.3 billion, or $0.80 per diluted share, in Q2 2012. The Company also updated its diluted EPS guidance for full-year 2013 to $3.07 to $3.13 (from $3.03 to $3.13) on an adjusted basis or $2.66 to $2.72 on a GAAP basis, excluding $0.41 per share of intangible asset amortization expense, acquired in-process research and development, and other specified items primarily associated with certain separation-related costs and ongoing restructuring activities. The Full Research Report on AbbVie Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/273c_ABBV]

LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. Research Report  

On July 26, 2013, LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. (LifePoint) reported its financial results for Q2 2013. The Company reported that its revenues increased 8.2% YoY to $894.9 million during Q2 2013. Net income attributable to LifePoint was $27.4 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, in Q2 2013 compared to net income attributable to LifePoint of $40.3 million, or $0.83 per diluted share, in Q2 2012.Commenting on the results, William F. Carpenter III, Chairman and CEO of LifePoint, said, "We continue to position LifePoint to benefit from healthcare reform in a challenging operating environment. Our growth and quality initiatives drove sequential improvements in outpatient and inpatient volumes this quarter, while our M&A program allowed us to build out our networks in several key regions." The Full Research Report on LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/f06d_LPNT]

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