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This article covers the 20 most respected professions in the world. It will also explore the emerging trends in professions worldwide and the key players making a difference at the global level for various professions. If you want to skip our detailed analysis on the topic, you can head straight to the 5 Most Respected […] This article covers the 20 most respected professions in the world. It will also explore the emerging trends in professions worldwide and the key players making a difference at the global level for various professions. If you want to skip our detailed analysis on the topic, you can head straight to the 5 Most Respected Professions in the World. Certain professions have earned a universal reputation for respect and admiration in a world filled with countless paths and possibilities. Moreover, in the wake of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, our appreciation for certain professions has been further magnified. The tireless healthcare workers who have risked their lives to care for the sick and provide comfort to the afflicted, the dedicated molecular biologists who have tirelessly pursued vaccines and treatments, and the selfless essential workers who have kept our societies functioning amid chaos – these professionals have garnered an unparalleled level of respect and appreciation for their unwavering dedication and sacrifice. Navigating Professions: Emerging Trends and In-Demand Careers As society evolves, so do the factors shaping the respectability of professions. One prevailing trend is the growing emphasis on social impact and sustainability. Professions that contribute to the greater good, like healthcare providers, environmental scientists, and educators, are gaining remarkable recognition for their dedication to improving lives and the planet. According to Global Greens Skill Report, the growth of sustainability jobs is experiencing rapid acceleration. In the United States, employment in renewable energy and environmental fields has surged by an impressive 237% over the past five years, per the research from Linked-In. Moreover, the global shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is anticipated to yield a net increase in job opportunities within the energy sector. However, the realm of green jobs extends far beyond the conventionality of energy generation. One of the fastest-growing sectors in the green job market is sustainable fashion, which has seen an average annual growth rate of 90% between 2016 and 2020. Another burgeoning area is the field of sustainable finance, driven by the rapid expansion of ESG investing (environment, social, and governance) and portfolio management. Accounting firm PwC announced in 2021, revealing its plans to invest a staggering $12 billion and create 100,000 new jobs in ESG investing by 2026. Technology is another driving force reshaping the most respected professions in the world. Roles in artificial intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity have captured attention due to their crucial expertise in safeguarding sensitive information. More importantly, the prestige of jobs in STEM is largely attributed to their high salaries. As evident from PWC Research Centre’s survey, most Americans perceive jobs in the fields as having better compensation, thus attracting more young talent compared to other industry sectors. Key Industry Giants that Make a Difference As technology continues its transformative journey across industries, the most prestigious professions in the world today intertwine with cutting-edge advancements. This synergy is exemplified by some esteemed companies that embrace innovation and empower professionals to thrive. Take Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), which is renowned for revolutionizing medical innovation and global health outcomes. With an expansive portfolio encompassing pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer health products, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), further fortifies the healthcare sector. Their unwavering commitment to healthcare professionals is evident through high rankings for work-life balance (4/5) and pay and benefits (4.1/5) on Indeed.com. By cultivating a nurturing work environment and offering attractive compensation, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) enhances the industry and fosters exceptional individuals primed to leave a lasting impact on global health. On the other hand, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) had announced plans to create 36,000 jobs in Qatar in 2022, supporting the country’s diversification efforts away from oil and gas, as reported by Al-Monitor. This initiative, backed by the Qatar government, included establishing a significant cloud data center, cementing Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s role as a global technology leader. By investing in Qatar’s digital infrastructure, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) aimed to position the nation as a prominent “digital hub” for the region and beyond. This commitment showcases the company’s innovative prowess and contributes to developing a highly skilled workforce, elevating the respect and prestige of professionals in the technology sector, particularly in the Middle East. Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG), renowned consumer goods and personal care giant, also highlights the reputation associated with professions dedicated to meeting societal needs. In addition to their essential products that enhance daily lives, Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) demonstrates their commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce through initiatives like the ‘P&G ReLaunch program.’ The program was designed to welcome back talented professionals who had taken a break from the workforce and were looking to restart their careers in STEM roles. By offering targeted support and development, Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) contributed to the growth and success of these professionals, further reinforcing the respectability of STEM careers. Rawpixel/Shutterstock.com Methodology We have looked at different surveys and indexes employed for the most respected professions in the world, including USN’s 100 Best Jobs, Zetsy’s Top Most Respected Jobs 2022, YouGov’s survey on respected professions, and Reddit. After extensive research, we devised our own scores using different indicators. Thus, the ranking of the most respected professions in the world was based on the following indicators: expertise, societal impact, ethical standards, and the consensus we picked based on our research. Each indicator was assigned a score from 1 to 10. The total score was determined by adding up the scores for all indicators. Hence, higher scores indicated higher rankings. Note that professions with higher consensus scores were prioritized in the case of tied scores. In cases where the consensus score was also similar, societal impact scores are prioritized. The list is subjective and ranked in ascending order. Here are the most respected jobs in the world: 20. Architects Expertise: 8   Societal Impact: 7   Ethical Standards: 7   Consensus: 4   Total Score: 26 Architects are respected for their design expertise, societal impact in shaping communities, adherence to a creative vision, and preservation of cultural heritage. Their multifaceted role in the built environment garners admiration and respect. In the United States, Autodesk Inc(NASDAQ:ADSK) is one of the top choices for architects, owing to the excellent average annual salary of $207,683. 19. Pilots Expertise: 9    Societal Impact: 8   Ethical Standards: 7    Consensus: 3   Total Score: 27 Pilots are respected for their exceptional expertise in flying and ensuring the safety of passengers. Their dedication, precision, and ability to navigate complex aircraft instill trust and admiration among the public, making them highly respected professionals in the aviation industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the employment of pilots will experience a growth rate of 5.7% from 2021 to 2031 in the US.  18. Social Workers Expertise: 7    Societal Impact: 9   Ethical Standards: 9   Consensus: 3   Total Score: 28 Social workers are respected due to their essential role in addressing social issues, promoting equality, and improving the well-being of individuals and communities. Their dedication, empathy, and commitment to social justice contribute to their respected status. 17. Lawyers Expertise: 8    Societal Impact: 7   Ethical Standards: 9   Consensus: 4   Total Score: 28 Law serves as the foundation for a functioning and civilized community, making the practice of law one of the most respected professions in the world. Lawyers are reputed professionals because they play a crucial role in upholding justice, defending individual/civil rights, and maintaining the rule of law. Their expertise, ethical standards, and commitment to fighting for justice contribute to their reputation and the respect they command in society. 16. Psychologists Expertise: 8    Societal Impact: 8   Ethical Standards: 8   Consensus: 5   Total Score: 29 Psychologists play a significant role as “giving” professionals, offering compassionate support, guidance, and therapy to needy individuals. They contribute to the well-being of society by fostering positive mental health, resilience, and personal growth through their expertise and understanding. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of psychologists is expected to grow by 6% from 2021 to 2031, which is about the same pace as the average for all occupations. 15. Police Officers Expertise: 7    Societal Impact: 8   Ethical Standards: 8   Consensus: 6   Total Score: 29 Due to the demanding nature of their career, police officers must be emotionally resilient, physically capable, and mentally sharp to handle challenging situations. Their commitment to upholding justice and ensuring public safety earns them societal respect. Moreover, police officers undergo rigorous training to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for their demanding role. They are prepared to handle complex situations through comprehensive physical, tactical, and ethical training. 14. Entrepreneurs Expertise: 7    Societal Impact: 8   Ethical Standards: 7   Consensus: 7   Total Score: 29 Entrepreneurs are respected for their ability to generate creative ideas, lead teams, and bring their visions to life. They take risks, navigate uncertainties, and drive economic growth. Their success in generating wealth and creating jobs earns them admiration and respect in society. 13. Veterinarians Expertise: 8   Societal Impact: 8   Ethical Standards: 8   Consensus: 6   Total Score: 30 Veterinarians are experts in nurturing and treating animals, providing care and support to needy animals. Their ability to empathize with animals, provide medical attention, and create a safe and comforting environment showcases their dedication and earns them respect from animal owners and the community. The average base salary of Veterinarians in the US is around $128,329 annually. 12. Farmers Expertise: 9   Societal Impact: 8   Ethical Standards: 7   Consensus: 7   Total Score: 31 Surprisingly, the often-overlooked profession of farmers made it to our list of the most respected professions in the world. Farmers are valued for their tireless dedication to feeding the population and sustaining agricultural practices. Their hard work, resilience in the face of unpredictable conditions, and vital role in providing essential resources earn them admiration for their contribution to food security and rural development. 11. Accountants Expertise: 8   Societal Impact: 7   Ethical Standards: 8    Consensus: 8   Total Score: 31 The profession of accountants garners widespread respect globally due to their expertise in financial matters, commitment to accuracy, ethical standards, and contribution to the financial stability of several organizations. Their role in maintaining financial transparency and ensuring compliance with regulations makes them indispensable for businesses and society. 10. Dentists Expertise: 10   Societal Impact: 8    Ethical Standards: 8   Consensus: 7   Total Score: 32 Dentists are highly valuable professionals due to the technical nature of their work in dentistry. Their ability to handle delicate tissues and instruments with precision and skill is crucial for providing effective dental treatments. Their expertise in performing intricate procedures and their attention to detail ensure the delivery of high-quality dental care, making them highly respected in their field. In the US, it was one of the highest-paying jobs in 2020. 9. Military Personnel Expertise: 8   Societal Impact: 8   Ethical Standards: 9    Consensus: 7   Total Score: 32 Military personnel includes individuals who serve in the armed forces, such as soldiers, officers, pilots, sailors, and other specialized roles. Military officers are highly regarded for their strategic thinking and ability to make critical decisions in high-pressure situations. Their courage, selflessness, and dedication to protecting borders and their citizens make them symbols of honor and inspire respect from both within and outside the military. 8. Software Developers Expertise: 9   Societal Impact: 7    Ethical Standards: 8   Consensus: 8   Total Score: 32 One of the most esteemed professions in the world is that of software developers. They design, create, and maintain software solutions that address various technological needs and challenges. They write code, develop algorithms, and implement functionalities that power applications, websites, and systems. Their expertise in programming languages, problem-solving, and software architecture allows them to tackle complex problems, optimize performance, and enhance user experiences. 7. Engineers Expertise: 10    Societal Impact: 7   Ethical Standards: 8   Consensus: 8   Total Score: 33 The expertise of engineers spans across different fields, such as civil, mechanical, electrical, and aerospace engineering, among others. Engineers play a crucial role in advancing technology, improving infrastructure, and addressing societal needs and have been doing so for generations now. Their ability to apply scientific knowledge, analyze data, and provide practical solutions earns them respect for their worldwide contributions to innovation and development. In 2022, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) nearly doubled its salary hike budget, increased stock compensation by at least 25%, making it a lucrative choice for software development engineers with a median pay of $195,928 annually. 6. Nurses Expertise: 6    Societal Impact: 9   Ethical Standards: 7   Consensus: 10   Total Score: 34 The role of nurses in promoting and maintaining the health and well-being of patients is invaluable. Nurses demonstrate compassion, empathy, and expertise in delivering patient-centered care. They play a critical role in healthcare teams, collaborating with doctors and other healthcare professionals to ensure optimal patient outcomes. In terms of compensation, renowned companies offer adequate salaries to nurses. For example, the median salary for an occupational health nurse at Procter&Gamble Company(NYSE:PG) is estimated to be $154,804 per year. Click here to see the 5 Most Respected Professions in the World. Suggested Articles: 16 Jobs That Will Disappear in the Future Due to AI 25 High Paying Jobs for 18 Year Olds With No Experience 25 Highest Paying Jobs in the US Disclosure: None. 20 Most Respected Professions in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey......»»

In this article, we will take a look at the 25 most LGBTQ-friendly countries in the world. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, you can go directly to the 10 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Countries in the World. Economic Costs of LGBTQ Exclusion Homophobia and anti-LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning) laws are costing […] In this article, we will take a look at the 25 most LGBTQ-friendly countries in the world. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, you can go directly to the 10 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Countries in the World. Economic Costs of LGBTQ Exclusion Homophobia and anti-LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning) laws are costing the economy billions of dollars worldwide. North Carolina alone suffers from $3.76 billion in lost businesses due to limitations in LGBT+ protection laws; $31 billion are lost in India, while the rest of the economy shares similar figures. According to the LGBT+ Pride 2021 Global Survey, 4% of Generation Z, 2% of Millennials, 1% of Generation X, and less than 1% of Baby Boomers identify themselves as non-binary, gender-fluid, non-confirming, transgender, or in a way that is other than male or female. Visibility of these non-binary individuals is low, albeit growing at a significant pace since the past decade. A conservative estimate on efforts to change the sexual orientation and gender identities states that the U.S. is losing out more than $9 billion each year. At least 700,000 LGBT adults have been subject to conversion therapies at some point in their lives for gender affirmation. Gender dysphoria, on the other hand, has led more than 80% of non-binary and trans youth to consider suicide, according to data from the US. Economies around the world are losing out on human capital and future economic developments due to the exclusion of the LGBTQ+ community. In fact, Open for Business, a global companies’ coalition formed to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion, notes that more inclusive cities tend to have a higher GDP per capita. Their global ranking based on 500 cities confirms that the most innovative cities in the world, such as London, New York, Toronto, Paris, and even Vienna are more so because they are more LGBTQ-inclusive. Companies that have anti-discrimination laws against sexual orientation and gender identity report greater levels of innovation too. Furthermore, a survey of 60,000 corporations reveals that inclusive companies register 8% more patents and receive 11% more patent citations comparatively. On the other hand, economies that tend to be anti-LGBTQ+ drive talent away from them and suffer from “brain drain.” Even a one-standard deviation rise stemming from city immigrant diversity has been associated with a 5.8% rise in productivity, implying the same for economies which attract such talent towards them. Open for Business, and Euro News further discover that economies can raise their levels of Foreign Direct Investment 4.5 times by creating an all-inclusive community. This is because international workforce and investments are generally directed towards countries that are more “tolerant” and “inclusive.” Societal acceptance of homosexuality positively correlates with inward FDI flows when correlating PEW Global Attitudes Survey with Foreign Direct Investment data. LGBT and Business Performance Proud Ventures reveals that at least 75% of LGBT founders, along with 79% of investors, hide their sexual orientation and/or identity to avoid discrimination. A report on the economic opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community states that 32% of LGBT individuals have an income of less than $24,000. 44% are either unemployed or under-employed, while they are six times more likely to suffer from food shortages. This community is also more likely to face homelessness as a result of discriminatory behavior demonstrated by governments and the public alike. Consequently, many businesses are embracing equality in the workspace, as reported by Boston Consulting Group. As such, these companies are in a better position to benefit from the increasing spending power of LGBT+ consumers. As of 2019, LGBT capital notes that the purchasing power of this community stood at $3.9 trillion globally. A Credit Suisse study further notes that companies who have open memberships to LGBT+ business networks or were LGBT-leading companies had better performances in global stocks and benchmarks. Since 2010, the LGBT index has outperformed MSCI AWCI by 3%. In this context, many top-rated companies such as Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO), Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE), Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG), and even Walt Disney have openly pledged support to sexual minorities. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) has been donating more than $1.2 million to LGBT organizations from around the world. Meanwhile, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:APPL) and The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) regularly donate to such communities and even support same-sex marriages. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:APPL) has even released Pride Watch  to support the work of LGBT organizations. LGBT-inclusive spaces can also be found on Google Maps and Search, a feature released by Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG). Similarly, The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) has been praised for its anti-discriminatory policies for this community. At least 67 countries, primarily developing economies, have laws that criminalize same-sex marriages and certain forms of gender expression. These countries have their own views and beliefs strongly upheld by most of the population. As such, minority communities can better thrive in more LGBT-friendly countries. Pixabay/Public Domain Methodology In order to compile the list of the 25 most LGBT-friendly countries in the world, we have adopted the LGBT Equality Index by Equaldex. It combines the scores based on the legal rights and freedoms of people as well as how the general public feels about LGBTQ+ community in each country. Countries are then ranked in ascending order of high scores on their equality index. The scores vary from 1-100, with higher scores implying higher levels of equality for LGBTQ+ community in these countries. 25. Austria Equality Score: 76 Austria started becoming LGBTQ-friendly in 1971 when it passed laws regarding LGBT. Minority groups have become more protected over the years, and the country welcomes this community openly. Vienna, Austria, is a popular destination for gays and lesbians in particular. “Wien ist Andersrum” (Vienna is Queer) is a cultural festival featuring LGBT artists and topics. 24. South Africa Equality Score: 76 South Africa’s government outlaws any discrimination made on the basis of sexual orientation. It is a welcoming country with many gay-friendly destinations throughout the country. Cape Town and Johannesburg have both communities and scenes for this minority. Pretoria and Durban are homes to smaller communities as well. 23. Belgium Equality Score: 77 LGBTQ+ rights in Belgium are considered as among the most progressive in comparison to most of the world. The country has jumped to the forefront of LGBTQ+ rights in recent years. Same-sex marriages and adoption are both legal in the country. Brussels even has its own bridge named after the iconic gay rights activist called Suzan Daniel. 22. New Zealand Equality Score: 78 New Zealand boasts some of the most comprehensive LGBTQ+ rights in the world. The country has legalized same-sex marriages and adoption and even has a fertility clinic for lesbian and gay men wanting to have children. 10% of MPs in the country are gay, and the government is categorized as the most rainbow parliament in the world. 21. France Equality Score: 78 France has been pro-LGBT since the 1900s. It has even passed a law that criminalizes conversion therapies that attempt to change the sexual orientations of individuals from LGBT+ community to hetero. Same-sex marriages and adoption are also accepted in the country. However, adoption and artificial insemination are restricted to PACS partners. 20. Switzerland Equality Score: 78 Switzerland is also accepting of the LGBT community, with very few incidents reported of homophobic crime and discrimination. Same-sex marriages have also become legalized as of 2021, along with adoption by same-sex couples and assisted reproduction technology. Moreover, conversion therapy in the country is banned. 19. Mexico Equality Score: 78 Mexico broadly protects LGBTQ+ rights and prohibits any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation. 27 of its 31 states have equal marriage rights and also adoption rights for same-sex couples. Some of the states have introduced laws that permit rights to legal gender recognition. 18. Chile Equality Score: 79 Since March 2022, same-sex marriages and adoption have become legal in Chile. Chile is the 31st country to do so, and the public is generally accepting of the community. 2019 also saw the passing of a comprehensive legal gender recognition laws, and a third sex option is also available for intersex children on birth certificates. 17. Cuba Equality Score: 81 The 21st century saw significant advancements in LGBT+ equality in Cuba. In 2022, Cuba voted to legalize same-sex marriages in a national referendum. 79.5% of the community believes that the LGBT+ community deserves the same civil rights as other individuals. 16. Andorra Equality Score: 81 It is constitutionally banned in Andorra to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. Civil unions for same-sex couples have been legalized since 2014; the general public seems tolerant of the community. As a result, more such people are coming out knowing they can associate freely with other citizens. 15. Argentina Equality Score: 82 LGBT+ rights in Argentina are some of the most prominent and comprehensive in the world. Same-sex marriages were legalized in 2010, the same year when same-sex adoption was legalized. The country is now going a step further and introducing a quota for transgender people that hold public sector jobs. 14. Brazil Equality Score: 82 Brazil is also one of the countries that have legalized same-sex marriages and same-sex adoption. This community enjoys legal protection in the country, and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity has been criminalized since 2019. 13. Sweden Equality Score: 82 Sweden has been a pioneer of LGBT+ rights. The country has made it illegal to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Same-sex couples can legally get married as well as adopt children. Many people refer to the country as gay Mecca, considering its openness to the gay community. 12. United Kingdom Equality Score: 82 The rights of the LGBT+ community in the United Kingdom are considered advanced and progressive. Discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation is considered illegal. Gender change is legal. 11. Malta Equality Score: 83 Malta has been the first European country to outlaw conversion therapies. It is by far few of the most advanced countries in terms of LGBT+ rights. Discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation is illegal, and conversion therapies are also banned. Non-binary genders are recognized in the country, while adoption and marriages are legal too. Click to continue reading and see the 10 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Countries in the World.  Suggested Articles: 35 Biggest Qatar Companies by Market Cap 20 Poorest Countries in Asia 12 Cheap Dividend Stocks With High Yields Disclosure: none. 25 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Countries in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey......»»

In this article, we will take a look at 14 best healthcare dividend stocks to buy. You can skip our detailed analysis of the healthcare sector and dividend stocks, and go directly to read 5 Best Healthcare Dividend Stocks to Buy.  The healthcare sector in the US encompasses a wide range of providers, facilities, and […] In this article, we will take a look at 14 best healthcare dividend stocks to buy. You can skip our detailed analysis of the healthcare sector and dividend stocks, and go directly to read 5 Best Healthcare Dividend Stocks to Buy.  The healthcare sector in the US encompasses a wide range of providers, facilities, and services aimed at promoting and maintaining the health of the population. The industry is also a significant and crucial part of the US economy. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, US healthcare spending reached $4.3 trillion in 2021 and accounted for 18.3% of the national GDP. Given this growing healthcare spending, analysts have presented a positive outlook for the sector in the coming years as well. Healthcare profit pools are projected to grow at a 4% CAGR from $654 billion in 2021 to $790 billion in 2026, as reported by McKinsey & Company. The onset of the pandemic has brought several changes and transformations in the US healthcare system. The adoption of telehealth services accelerated post-pandemic to reduce the risks of exposure. According to a report by Deloitte, 68% of physicians offered virtual health options in 2022, compared with just 14% the prior year. The report further mentioned that 57% to 80% of patients prefer telehealth services. These shifting patient preferences are likely to have a lasting impact, resulting in the further growth of the telehealth sector. Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) estimated that the sector could bring $20 billion in US revenues by 2027. The analysis also projected a 30% annual revenue growth for top telehealth providers. Also read: 11 Best Mid-Cap Healthcare Stocks To Buy Now The demand for healthcare-related products and services remains relatively stable despite economic conditions. This was seen in 2022 when high-interest rates caused major indices to plunge, whereas the healthcare sector maintained a solid footing and outperformed the broader market. Healthcare stocks have historically delivered stable performance during periods of economic uncertainty. In our article titled 12 Defensive Healthcare Dividend Stocks, we mentioned that these equities have outperformed in down markets from 2000 through June 2022. In addition to their defensive nature, dividend payments from healthcare companies are appealing to investors. Dividend stocks have demonstrated their worth during previous high inflationary periods, becoming top choices for investors. Quality healthcare companies like Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV), and Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) have histories of strong financial performance and consistent earnings. Their ability to regularly pay and grow their dividends compels investors to pile on these stocks. In this article, we will further take a look at the best healthcare dividend stocks to buy. Photo by Vitaly Taranov on Unsplash   Our Methodology: For this list, we scoured Insider Monkey’s database of 943 elite funds as of Q1 2023 to determine healthcare dividend stocks that are popular among these smart money investors. Next, we shortlisted healthcare dividend companies that have raised their payouts for at least five years and also considered the respective companies’ overall financial health. We sorted these stocks by the number of hedge funds in our database with positions in these companies at the end of Q1. 14. Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 50 Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH) is an Ohio-based multinational healthcare services company that deals in the distribution of pharmaceuticals and other medical products. The company reported strong Q1 earnings with revenue amounting to over $50.5 billion, up 13% from the same period last year. Its operating cash flow for the quarter came in at over $1.3 billion. On May 11, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH) declared a 1% hike in its quarterly dividend to $0.5006 per share. Through this increase, the company took its dividend growth streak to 37 years, which makes it one of the best dividend stocks in the healthcare sector. The stock has a dividend yield of 2.36%, as of May 23. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV), and Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) are some other popular dividend stocks from the healthcare industry. Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH) attracted positive Wall Street ratings after reporting earnings beat in its most recent quarter. In May, both Deutsche Bank and UBS raised their price targets on the stocks to $90 and $93, respectively. At the end of Q1 2023, 50 hedge funds in Insider Monkey’s database owned stakes in Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH), the same as in the previous quarter. The collective value of these stakes is over $1.36 billion. Ariel Investments mentioned Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH) in its Q3 2022 investor letter. Here is what the firm has to say: “Additionally, distributor of pharmaceutical and medical products Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE:CAH) advanced in the period as leadership changes were viewed to be a positive for shares. Management provided a new profit outlook for Fiscal 2023 and announced an improvement plan for the medical segment. We are encouraged by these changes and think CAH’s underlying fundamentals and competitive advantages around preventative maintenance screenings and medication management will continue to improve. We believe valuations of health care companies like CAH that focus on cost optimization and promote technological efficiency across the supply chain will be rewarded over the long term.” 13. Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 52 Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) is an American medical device company that offers services related to medical technology. The company currently offers a quarterly dividend of $0.68 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.12%, as of May 23. It is one of the best dividend stocks on our list as it maintains a 45-year streak of consistent dividend growth. Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) reported a strong cash position in its fiscal Q3 2023, which shows that the company is well-positioned to grow its dividends in the future. For nine months that ended in January 2023, the company’s operating cash flow came in at over $3.5 billion and its free cash flow amounted to $2.5 billion. Moreover, it had over $4.5 billion available in cash and cash equivalents, up from $3.7 billion during the same period last year. Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) was a part of 52 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q1 2023, as per Insider Monkey’s database. The stakes owned by these elite funds have a collective value of over $1.64 billion. Carillon Tower Advisers mentioned Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) in its Q4 2022 investor letter. Here is what the firm has to say: “Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) announced disappointing clinical trial results for a new product in its pipeline and lowered its fiscal 2023 financial guidance due to lingering supply chain issues and slower than expected medical procedure recovery.” 12. Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 56 Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) is a New Jersey-based medical technology company that mainly specializes in the production of medical devices. In May, Barclays raised its price target on the stock to $284 and kept an Overweight rating on the shares, highlighting the company’s improvements in underlying growth and execution. On April 25, Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.91 per share, which was the same as its previous dividend. In 2022, the company hiked its dividend for the 51st consecutive year, making it one of the best dividend stocks on our list. The stock’s dividend yield on May 23 came in at 1.48%. For the six months that ended in March 2023, Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) reported an operating cash flow of $584 million. For fiscal Q2 2023, the company’s revenue came in at $4.8 billion, which showed a 1.4% growth from the same period last year. The number of hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey owning stakes in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) grew to 56 in Q1 2023, from 52 in the previous quarter. These stakes have a collective value of roughly $3 billion. With nearly 2 million shares, Generation Investment Management was the company’s leading stakeholder in Q1. 11. Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 57 Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) specializes in the discovery and manufacturing of innovative human therapeutics. In the first quarter of 2023, the company generated over $0.7 billion in free cash flow. The company’s operating cash flow for the quarter came in at over $1.1 billion. It also paid over $1 billion in dividends to shareholders, which makes it one of the best dividend stocks on our list. Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) offers a quarterly dividend of $2.13 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.80%, as of May 23. The company has been rewarding shareholders with growing dividends since 2011. In May, Jefferies raised its price target on Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) to $325 with a Buy rating on the shares, highlighting the company’s acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics. As of the close of Q1 2023, 57 hedge funds in Insider Monkey’s database reported having stakes in Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN), with a collective value of over $1.68 billion. Two Sigma Advisors was the company’s largest stakeholder in Q1. 10. McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 60 McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) is an American healthcare company that distributes pharmaceuticals and provides related services and products to its customers. On April 27, the company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.54 per share, which was in line with its previous dividend. It has been raising its dividends consistently for the past six years. McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK), one of the best dividend stocks, generated $5.2 billion in operating cash flow in its FY23. The company’s free cash for the period amounted to over $4.6 billion. Its free cash flow was sufficient to cover the shareholder obligation worth $3.9 billion. The company’s revenue amounted to over $276.7 billion for the full year, up 5% from FY22. Following the company’s strong earnings growth and updated guidance for FY24, Credit Suisse lifted its price target on the stock to $450 in May and maintained an Outperform rating on the shares. Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) was a popular buy among hedge funds in Q1 2023, as 60 elite funds in Insider Monkey’s database owned stakes in the company, up from 54 in the previous quarter. The total value of these stakes is roughly $4 billion. Broyhill Asset Management mentioned McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) in its Q4 2022 investor letter. Here is what the firm has to say: “Shares of McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) gained 50% for the twelve months ending December 2022, as opioid-related litigation concerns, which weighed on the stock for years, took a back seat to strong operating performance. When we first established the position in 2018, we explained that, “Although headlines remind us daily of growing threats to the business, the actual probability of this business dramatically changing in the next five years is much lower than the perceived probability. We are simply betting that the future might not be as bad as the price suggests.” Consensus FY22 and FY23 EPS estimates at the time were around $17 – $18 per share. The company reported ~ $24 in earnings in FY22, and is on pace for $26 in FY23, even as consensus estimates for the broader market were repeatedly revised lower. We continued to trim our position throughout the year as shares rerated higher from ~ 8x earnings in FY18 to ~ 16x earnings at recent highs.” 9. Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 60 Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) specializes in the research and development of antiviral drugs. In May, BMO Capital upgraded the stock to Outperform with a $100 price target, acknowledging the company’s cell therapy franchise. The firm also appreciated the company’s manufacturing capabilities and its tumor oncology business. Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) offers a quarterly dividend of $0.75 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.82%, as of May 23. The company has been raising its dividends consistently for the past eight years. In the first quarter of 2023, it returned $969 million to shareholders in dividends, which makes it one of the best dividend stocks on our list. At the end of Q1 2023, 60 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey owned stakes in Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD), worth collectively nearly $4 billion. Ariel Investments mentioned Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) in its Q4 2022 investor letter. Here is what the firm has to say: “Biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD. advanced in the quarter on positive data released in a study evaluating Trodelvy versus comparative chemotherapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer. The detailed findings increased investor confidence the drug would receive incremental approvals for a broader range of breast cancer treatments. Shares also received a boost on news the TAF patent portfolio for HIV drugs will be extended from the middle of this decade through the early 2030s, creating greater visibility into the company’s long-term opportunity in the virology market.” 8. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 69 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) is an American pharmaceutical industry company, offering innovative medical solutions to its consumers. The company is one of the best dividend stocks on our list as it maintains a 17-year streak of consistent dividend growth. It pays a quarterly dividend of $0.57 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.43%, as of May 23. In April Credit Suisse maintained a Neutral rating on Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) with a $72 price target, following the company’s strong Q1 earnings. As of the close of Q1 2023, 69 hedge funds in Insider Monkey’s database reported having stakes in Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY), the same as in the previous quarter. These stakes have a consolidated value of over $1.55 billion. 7. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 72 Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) is one of America’s oldest pharmaceutical companies. It is widely known for its drugs for clinical depression. In May, Morgan Stanley raised its price target on the stock to $507 and maintained an Overweight rating on the shares. The firm gave a positive outlook on the company’s drug trial for Alzheimer’s disease. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY), one of the best dividend stocks on our list, has been making dividend payments to shareholders for the past 138 years. Moreover, the company holds a 9-year streak of growing its dividends consistently. It currently pays a quarterly dividend of $1.13 per share for a dividend yield of 1.07%, as of May 23. As per Insider Monkey’s Q1 2023 database, 72 hedge funds owned stakes in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY), down from 76 in the preceding quarter. These stakes are collectively valued at over $3.7 billion. Fred Alger Management mentioned Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) in its Q1 2023 investor letter. Here is what the firm has to say: “Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) is a global pharmaceutical company with core franchises in diabetes, obesity, neurology, and oncology. The company offered exposure to therapeutics in obesity and diabetes via the launch of Mounjaro, as well as in Alzheimer’s via Donanemab which was filed in November 2022 for accelerated Phase 3 approval in mid-2023. While the company reported decent fiscal fourth quarter results, shares detracted from performance after a modest miss in their obesity and diabetes drug. Mounjaro. Moreover, investors became skeptical of potential regulatory scrutiny around Donanemab and its efficacy relative to Biogen’s competing offering.” 6. Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 73 Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) is an American multinational biotech and pharmaceutical company. In May, Barclays maintained a Neutral rating on the stock with a $40 price target after the company announced its Q1 earnings. The firm expressed concerns about the company’s performance due to its new launches this year. Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE), one of the best dividend stocks, currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.41 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.14%, as of May 23. The company has raised its dividends for 13 years running. It can be a reliable investment option for income investors alongside Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV), and Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK). At the end of March 2023, 73 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey owned stakes in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE), with a collective value of roughly $2.2 billion. Diamond Hill Capital mentioned Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) in its Q3 2022 investor letter. Here is what the firm has to say: “Also among our bottom contributors were health care products manufacturer Abbott Labs, global pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE), media and technology giant Alphabet, and insurance company American International Group (AIG). Although Pfizer continues to report strong performance of its core drugs, sales of its COVID vaccine and treatment have likely peaked and sales are expected to decline going forward. We remain optimistic about the company long term as we believe management is taking the company in the right direction, focusing R&D, and making strategic acquisitions with profits generated from COVID vaccine sales.”   Click to continue reading and see 5 Best Healthcare Dividend Stocks to Buy.    Suggested articles: 10 Large-Cap Stocks with Insider Buying 12 Cheap Dividend Stocks With High Yields 15 Stocks Warren Buffett Sold Disclosure. None. 14 Best Healthcare Dividend Stocks to Buy is originally published on Insider Monkey......»»

Futures Flat As Fractured Debt Ceiling Discussions Resume US futures are flat as we start a new week and inch closer to the debt ceiling x-date: as a reminder, according to Janet Yellen the US could be in default in just 10 days. At 8:00am ET , S&P futures were up 0.1%, near session highs, after trading in a narrow range overnight; the tech-heavy Nasdaq was pressured by losses on semiconductor stocks after China said products from Micron Technology had failed a cybersecurity review. Micron shares dropped more than 5% in New York premarket trading, dragging down other chipmakers, including Nvidia and Qualcomm.  Asian markets are higher, while European stocks trade near session lows. Bond yields are higher, rebounding from session lows, while the USD is slightly in the green with commodities also erasing earlier losses. MegaCap Tech names are up slightly pre-market. McCarthy and Biden spoke on Sunday and will resume negotiations today. Fed’s Kashkari, a Fed dove turned hawk (and soon to turn dove again) is now open to holding rates steady in June; OIS now sees more than 80% odds of a pause at the June mtg. Biden expected ties with China to improve very shortly and considers lifting sanctions on Chinese Defense Minister. In premarket trading, Micron dropped 4.3%, leading fellow US semiconductor stocks, lower, after China said that the memory- chipmaker’s products have failed to pass a cybersecurity review in the country and banned it as a supplier. Meta Platforms fell more than 1.5%, after being hit with a record €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion) European Union privacy fine. Apple slipped 1% as Loop Capital downgrades to hold, saying it sees a revenue downside risk. WeWork gained 4.8% as the beleaguered real estate company recouped some of the declines from last week’s four-session losing streak; for context it is trading at 22 cents a share. Here are some other notable premarket movers: Avrobio soars 63% on plans to sell its cystinosis gene therapy program for $87.5 million in cash. DraftKings gains 3.1% after UBS upgrades its rating  to buy based on stronger revenue growth and greater flow through to Ebitda. Foot Locker is down 2.3% as Citi downgraded its rating to neutral following the athletic retailer’s significant guidance cut on Friday. Intercept Pharmaceuticals shares tumble 15% after the company’s obeticholic acid failed to win the support of a panel of FDA advisers. Meta Platforms shares are down 1% as the company was hit by a record $1.3 billion European Union privacy fine and given a deadline to stop shipping users’ data to the US after regulators. Nike slips 2.1% after Williams Trading cuts the recommendation on the sportswear company to sell on the expectation that the US business will remain challenged through at least the first half of fiscal 2024. PacWest Bancorp one of the regional US lenders that was engulfed in turmoil earlier this month, rises 4% after agreeing to sell a $2.6 billion portfolio of 74 real estate construction loans as part of its plan to shore up liquidity. Revolve Group (RVLV) declines 2.5% after TD Cowen downgrades its recommendation on the e- commerce retailer, saying the company’s growth has cooled and that it sees limited near-term catalysts. VectivBio rises 39% after agreeing to be purchased by Ironwood for $17/share in an all-cash transaction. Zions Bancorp gains 2% as Hovde Group initiated coverage with an outperform, saying “misplaced fears” drove a discounted valuation. The question for investors is whether US politicians will be able to reach a deal to raise the debt limit before the government runs out of money. Stocks gave up gains late on Friday after Republicans temporarily walked out. The urgency of the situation was underscored on Sunday by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who said the chances are “quite low” that the US can pay all its bills by mid-June. “There is a lot of showmanship around the debt ceiling,” said Sarah Hewin, senior economist at Standard Chartered Plc in London. “The closer we get to June 1 without a resolution, the greater the risk of an accident so there is a lot of potential for markets to get concerned." The debt-ceiling risks as well as concern for the US economy have induced investors to boost bearish positions on the S&P 500 to the highest since 2007. European stocks are lower as investors remain hesitant amid the ongoing US debt-ceiling negotiations. The Stoxx 600 is down 0.3%, trading near session lows with telecommunication and utilities the best-performing sectors. Greek markets were a bright spot after Sunday’s national election resulted in a strong showing for Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, signaling that investment-friendly policies will continue. Here are the most notable European movers: Ryanair shares rise as much as 2.5% after it reported a beat on net income in its FY results, driven by the low-cost airline’s better-than-expected pricing in 4Q, up around 26% versus 2019, says Citi. Analysts also welcome the confident outlook. Dassault Systemes shares gain as much as 3.6% to the highest level since September. Stifel says in a note that strong software sales at Siemens, which reported earnings last week, bode well for Dassault Systemes. Man Group shares rise as much as 2%, touching the highest since May 2, after BNP Paribas Exane raised the hedge fund manager to neutral from underperform on a more balanced risk-reward. Begbies Traynor shares rise as much as 2.3% after the restructuring advisory firm releases a pre-close statement which Canaccord says indicates a strong finish to the year. Polymetal shares slump as much as 37% after the London- listed gold miner’s Russian unit was sanctioned by the US. Top Russian gold miner Polyus PJSC and Polymetal JSC, Polymetal International’s Russian unit, were targeted. Dechra shares fall as much as 8.7%, the most since February, after the UK pharmaceuticals firm said it has experienced a “more volatile and challenging” trading environment during the January to April period than previously predicted. The benchmark Athens Stock Exchange General Index jumped to its highest level in almost a decade. The premium investors demand to hold Greek 10-year debt compared with super-safe bonds of Germany, fell to the lowest in more than a year while the cost of insuring exposure to Greek debt fell sharply, according to data from S&P Markit. The MSCI Asia-Pacific Index closed higher by 0.7% for the day. A sub-gauge for technology stocks gained 2.2%, its biggest jump since March 31, tracking similar gains in peers in Asia and the US. Metal stocks surged after US President Joe Biden hinted at improving ties with China, which lifted outlook for the sector. Investors are keen to see however on how China’s economy is faring after its knee-jerk rebound following the removal of Covid curbs. Iron ore futures dropped for the third day in a row on signs of disappointing steel demand from the construction sector, while the most recent batch of industrial and retail sales data was unexpectedly soft.  Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp. traded higher albeit with the mainland choppy after mixed commentary from the G7 and frictions related to China’s ban on Micron from key infrastructure, while the PBoC provided no surprises and kept its benchmark lending rates unchanged with the 1-year and 5-year LPRs kept at 3.65% and 4.30%, respectively. Nikkei 225 was indecisive as the momentum from its recent rally to 33-year highs initially waned and with the mood also clouded by the surprise contraction in Machinery Orders, although the index later caught a second wind and broke above the 31,000 level. Indian stocks rose after a rally in technology and base metal firms helped key stock gauges end higher for the second successive day on Monday. The S&P BSE Sensex rose 0.4% to 61,963.68 in Mumbai, while the NSE Nifty 50 Index advanced 0.6% to 18,314.40. Shares of Adani Group soared, extending their gains from Friday, after the SEBI told a Supreme Court-appointed panel that it found no conclusive evidence of stock price manipulation in the conglomerate’s stocks. Flagship Adani Enterprises jumped 18.9% and the market value of the entire group swelled by $9.7 billion. Infosys Ltd. contributed the most to the index gain, increasing 1.9%. ASX 200 was subdued amid weakness in financials although losses were cushioned amid the improving trade environment between Australia and its largest trading partner as evidenced by an 89% rise in coal exports to China. In FX, the Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index is down 0.1% while the Swiss franc is the clear outperformer among the G-10s, rising 0.5% versus the greenback. The Aussie dollar is the weakest.  Money markets bet on 5bps of Fed tightening in June but add to easing wagers beyond after Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari said in an interview with Dow Jones that he may support holding interest rates at current levels in June. His comments echoed remarks from Fed Chair Jerome Powell that gave a clear signal he is inclined to pause interest-rate increases next month. “Cracks may be showing in the FOMC’s rate hike path, and markets are pricing the new information in,” said Mingze Wu, an FX trader at StoneX Group. In rates, treasuries are flat with the US 10-year yield unchanged at 3.67%, with yields rising modestly from session lows of 3.65%; 2s10s, 5s30s spreads are steeper by ~1bp. Bunds and gilts are also in the green. Sentiment continues to take cues from debt-ceiling negotiations, with President Joe Biden and Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy planning to meet Monday. On Sunday, Secretary Janet Yellen said the chances are “quite low” that the US can pay all its bills by mid-June.  IG issuance slate includes NWB 5Y SOFR; expectations are for $15b to $20b in new bond sales this week, concentrated on Monday. Treasury auctions this week include 2-, 5- and 7-year sales over Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Three-month dollar Libor -1.80bp at 5.37471%. In commodities, crude futures are little changed with WTI trading near $71.55. Spot gold rises 0.1% to around $1,980 Bitcoin is essentially unchanged trading around $27K, as specifics remain somewhat light and the broader markets focus on a number of moving parts but primarily the US debt ceiling, with Biden and McCarthy to speak today at some point. There is nothing on today's economic calendar, later this week we get the latest FOMC minutes release, revisions to 2Q GDP and the PCE deflator. Market Snapshot S&P 500 futures little changed at 4,205.00 MXAP up 0.7% to 163.16 MXAPJ up 0.5% to 515.79 Nikkei up 0.9% to 31,086.82 Topix up 0.7% to 2,175.90 Hang Seng Index up 1.2% to 19,678.17 Shanghai Composite up 0.4% to 3,296.47 Sensex up 0.3% to 61,926.65 Australia S&P/ASX 200 down 0.2% to 7,263.25 Kospi up 0.8% to 2,557.08 STOXX Europe 600 up 0.2% to 469.60 German 10Y yield little changed at 2.41% Euro little changed at $1.0802 Brent Futures little changed at $75.52/bbl Gold spot down 0.0% to $1,976.92 U.S. Dollar Index little changed at 103.23 Top Overnight News China said it uncovered “relatively serious” cybersecurity risks in Micron products sold in the country, and warned makers of key infrastructure to avoid using the company’s memory chips. BBG The EU has said the bloc will push ahead with plans to jointly buy hydrogen and critical raw materials after its first attempt at aggregated gas purchases was oversubscribed. FT China left its 5 and 1-year Loan Prime Rates unchanged, a move that was widely expected. RTRS Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy suggested his country was losing control of Bakhmut after months of fierce fighting but downplayed Russian claims it now fully occupied the eastern city. BBG G-7 leaders struggled to win over swing nations being courted by China and Russia at a weekend summit in Japan. A surprise visit from Volodymyr Zelenskiy gave him a chance to appeal to those who've been neutral on the war. He met with India's Narendra Modi and Indonesia's Joko Widodo, but a meeting with Brazil's Lula da Silva fell through. BBG Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the US is unlikely to reach mid-June and still be able to pay its bills, underscoring the urgency of the White House reaching a deal with Republicans to raise the debt limit. BBG Auto inventory levels are back on the rise following years of shortages thanks to normalizing supply chain conditions and improved production. WSJ Fed now seen cutting rates in Q1:24 instead of Q4:23 according to an updated survey from the National Association for Business Economics (NABE). RTRS Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari said he is open to doing nothing at the June meeting given that inflation is coming down and amid all the bank uncertainty, but opposes any declaration stating rate hikes are definitively done. WSJ Outflows from US equities, inflows to other assets. Cash, Bonds, and non-US stocks offer compelling alternatives to US stocks...   A more detailed look at global markets courtesy of Newsquawk APAC stocks were mostly positive but with price action rangebound amid cautiousness as the debt limit deadline draws closer and following last week’s more balanced comments from Fed Chair Powell. ASX 200 was subdued amid weakness in financials although losses were cushioned amid the improving trade environment between Australia and its largest trading partner as evidenced by an 89% rise in coal exports to China. Nikkei 225 was indecisive as the momentum from its recent rally to 33-year highs initially waned and with the mood also clouded by the surprise contraction in Machinery Orders, although the index later caught a second wind and broke above the 31,000 level. Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp. traded higher albeit with the mainland choppy after mixed commentary from the G7 and frictions related to China’s ban on Micron from key infrastructure, while the PBoC provided no surprises and kept its benchmark lending rates unchanged with the 1-year and 5-year LPRs kept at 3.65% and 4.30%, respectively. Top Asian News PBoC 1-Year Loan Prime Rate (May) 3.65% vs. Exp. 3.65% (Prev. 3.65%); 5-Year Loan Prime Rate (May) 4.30% vs. Exp. 4.30% (Prev. 4.30%) China’s cyberspace regulator said its review found that Micron Technology’s (MU) products have serious network security problems causing risks to China’s information infrastructure and announced that operators of critical information infrastructure in China should stop purchasing Micron Technology’s products, according to Reuters. US Commerce Department said they firmly oppose China's restrictions on Micron (MU) which have no basis in fact and that China's action along with recent raids targeting other US firms is inconsistent with China's assertions that it is opening its markets. It also stated that the US will engage directly with Chinese authorities to detail the US position and clarify China's actions, while the US will also engage with key allies and partners to ensure close coordination to address distortions of the memory chip market caused by China's actions. Japan Business Lobby Keidanren Chief says this years inflation is facilitated by a weak JPY and energy cost increase, does not expect inflation from 2024 onward to be "that extreme". European bourses are mixed/flat, Euro Stoxx 50 -0.1% with the focus on upcoming debt ceiling discussions amid numerous broader incremental updates/developments ahead of Central Bank speak. Sectors are similarly mixed and lacking in breadth while Ryanair and Volvo are bolstered post earnings and a sizeable truck order respectively. Stateside, futures are contained but diverging slightly with the ES & NQ under modest pressure given the below Meta update and attention on Micron (-6.2% pre-market) after China's cyberspace review (see APAC section); conversely, the RTY is holding just above the neutral mark. Meta (META) has been fined USD 1.3bln over data transfers to the US. Initially reported via the WSJ and subsequently confirmed by the IDPC. Meta -0.8% in pre-market. Subsequently, Meta says it will appeal the fine and there is no immediate disruption to Facebook within Europe. JPMorgan (JPM) raises FY23 Net Interest Income view to USD 84.0bln ex-CIB markets (prev. it was guiding for USD 81bln, market-dependent). Top European News UK PM Sunak reportedly opened the door into a sleaze probe on Home Secretary Suella Braverman and will discuss the speeding points row with the Prime Minister’s Independent Adviser on Ministers' Interests Laurie Magnus, according to The Sun’s Political Editor Cole. Greece’s ruling New Democracy Party held a significant lead against rivals in the early vote count and is set to win 145 of the 300 seats in parliament vs 71 seats for the leftist Syriza party, although a second round of voting is the most likely outcome with no clear majority, according to Politico and Reuters. There were also comments from PM Mitsotakis who said the election victory shows that New Democracy has the people’s approval to rule as a one-party government and that the mandate is a strong government, while he added that only strong governments can dare the changes needed. Click here for newsquawk analysis. Since, Mitsotakis has called for a new vote potentially on June 25th. Moody’s affirmed Portugal at Baa2; Outlook Revised to Positive from Stable. German DIHK survey shows that the despite the economy showing resilience in a challenging environment thus far in 2023, growth will remain muted; maintains the forecast for economic stagnation this year. FX Franc outperforms as bond yields retreat and US debt ceiling impasse rolls on, USD/CHF eyeing 0.9850 from a peak just shy of 0.9000. DXY hovering around 103.000 ahead of more Fed speakers that may err towards June rate pause like Chair Powell and Kashkari. Euro pivots Fib and 100 DMA close to 1.0800 vs Greenback, but capped by expiries. Yen contains losses beneath 138.00 against Buck irrespective of bleak Japanese machinery orders. Kiwi elevated awaiting 25 bp hike from RBNZ, as NZD/USD hovers near 0.6300 and AUD/NZD cross sits sub-1.0600. PBoC set USD/CNY mid-point at 7.0157 vs exp. 7.0141 (prev. 7.0356) Commodities Crude benchmarks are softer intraday but have lifted off APAC lows with catalysts light and the move is perhaps a factor of broader macro concern over the US debt limit. Currently, WTI and Brent are lower by around USD 0.20/bbl but remain towards the top-end of circa. USD 1.50/bbl parameters. Spot gold is little changed while base metals are slightly softer given the firmer USD, the yellow metal is being cushioned from USD-pressure somewhat by the broader risk tone. EU plans more joint purchasing after the success of the common gas scheme, according to FT Fixed Income Bonds push recovery envelope further before waning around 2.40% in Bunds, just shy of 99.00 in Gilts and 114-00 for the 10 year T-note. GGBs and PGBs underpinned by political and positive ratings outlook respectively while the EU receives a relatively warm welcome for 2028 and 2034 debt offerings. Geopolitics Russia said its troops have taken control of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut and Russian President Putin congratulated the Wagner group and the Russian army for the ‘liberation’ of the city, while Wagner group chief Prigozhin said they captured the entire territory of Bakhmut as promised and will be leaving the conflict zone on May 25th, according to TASS, Interfax and Reuters. Ukrainian President Zelensky said he is confident Ukraine will get F-16 fighter jets from the West and said Kyiv’s peace formula has the potential to stop future aggressors. Zelensky also stated he is grateful for American support and the training mission which will give them a stronger battlefield position, while he appeared to have confirmed the loss of Bakhmut in which he noted that the city is destroyed and responded that he thought ‘no’ when asked if Bakhmut was still in Ukraine’s hands, according to Reuters. Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister said Kyiv’s troops have partly encircled Bakhmut along the flanks and still control part of the city, while a top Ukrainian general said Ukraine controls an insignificant part of the city but added it is enough to enter the city when the situation changes and that Ukraine’s advances on flanks around Bakhmut are effectively nearing a tactical encirclement of Russian forces, according to Reuters. US President Biden said Russians have suffered over 100k casualties in Bakhmut and that he has flat assurance from Ukrainian President Zelensky that Ukraine will not use F-16s to go into Russian geographic territory. President Biden also made it clear he is not prepared to trade certain items with China because of concern it would build weapons of mass destruction and he is not going to ease China sanctions but added that they are currently under negotiation on whether to lift sanctions on China’s Defence Minister, according to Reuters. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister commented regarding Western plans to supply F-16s to Ukraine that the West is pursuing an escalatory path fraught with colossal risks for them. Russia's ambassador to the US said the transfer of F-16 fighters to Ukraine would raise questions about NATO's involvement in the conflict and said any Ukrainian strikes on Crimea are attacks on Russia and that Washington should be aware of Russia's response, according to Reuters. Explosions were reported in Odesa and Zaporizhzhia Oblast amid drone activity, while it was also reported that Russia launched an overnight air attack on Ukraine's Dnipro, according to the Governor. Taiwan President Tsai said they have shown the world the determination to defend themselves and that the world’s support for a democratic Taiwan is unprecedented, while she said they will maintain the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and said no one can change the status quo with the use of force. Furthermore, Tsai said the US arms aid for Taiwan addresses weapon delivery delays related to the pandemic and commented that they welcome visitors to Taiwan from Hong Kong, Macau and China. US, Japan and South Korea’s leaders discussed how to take trilateral cooperation to new heights including in the face of North Korea’s illicit nuclear and missile threats, while US President Biden invited the Japanese and South Korean leaders for a trilateral meeting in Washington, according to Reuters citing the White House. South Korean President Yoon announced that South Korea and Germany will sign a military information-sharing pact and will closely cooperate on North Korean denuclearisation, while Yoon said that South Korea will carefully review the list of non-lethal weapons requested by Ukrainian President Zelensky, according to Reuters. Sudan’s army and paramilitary RSF agreed to a 7-day humanitarian truce and ceasefire on Saturday which takes effect after 48 hours, according to Reuters sources. Russia's Wagner group founder says their forces will be leaving Ukraine's Bakhmut region from May 25th until June 1st. "The Irish minister for foreign affairs Micheal Martin has said Ireland is open to changes that could see a shift away from the veto on some EU foreign policy and defence issues.", according to RTE's Connelly. G7 G7 Final Communique stated they will support Ukraine for as long as it takes and called on China to press Russia to stop its military aggression immediately, while it noted that a growing China that plays by international rules would be of global interest and that the G7 is not seeking a policy designed to harm China or hinder its economic progress and are not decoupling nor turning inwards. G7 also stated that there is no legal basis for China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea and they oppose China’s militarisation activities in the region, while the G7 nations established a new initiative to counter economic coercion dubbed the Coordination Platform on Economic Coercion. US President Biden said the G7 is united in its approach to China and that they are not looking to de-couple from China but are looking to de-risk and diversify which means resisting economic coercion. Biden also stated they should have an open hotline with China and that everything changed after the spy balloon incident but thinks there will be another shift and expects relations with China to thaw soon which will allow more conversations. Furthermore, President Biden said they will not tell China what it can do but will put Taiwan in a position to defend itself and noted there is agreement among US allies that if China were to do something on Taiwan unilaterally, there would be a response, according to Reuters. China’s Foreign Ministry said China expresses strong dissatisfaction regarding the G7 Final Communique and lodged solemn representations with summit host Japan, while China's Vice Foreign Minister summoned the Japanese ambassador over actions at the G7, according to Reuters. China’s Embassy in Britain urged for the G7 to disregard Cold War mentality and to stop interfering in other countries' affairs and called on the British side to stop slandering and smearing China to avoid further damage to China-UK relations, according to Reuters. German Chancellor Scholz said they want de-risking and to diversify but added that nobody has an interest to curb growth in China and that they will make sure big investments in China from the US, Japan, Britain, France, Italy and Germany will continue so that they have supply chains in China and export goods to China, according to ZDF. US Event Calendar   Nothing major scheduled Central Bank Speakers 08:30: Fed’s Bullard Speaks on US Economy and Monetary Policy 11:05: Fed’s Bostic and Barkin Discuss Technology- Enabled... 11:05: Fed’s Daly Speaks at NABE/Bank of France Economic Symposium DB's Jim Reid concludes the overnight wrap This morning Head of DB Research David Folkerts-Landau has launched our AI week on my Thematic team with a 2-3 pager on why the AI hype cycle is in overdrive but why it's (mostly) justified. Three things are different this time: the general nature of the technology, the low barriers to entry and the unprecedented speed of adoption. This will lead to waves of repercussions for society, and if harnessed correctly, productivity gains. See David's intro to the series here. Henry and I will be publishing the first full note in the series later this morning looking at what history tells us about what major technological advancements over the last few centuries have meant for jobs. In every technological cycle there are always fears of human labour being extremely vulnerable. This time is no different, but history suggests a different outcome. Look out for our piece later. I'll highlight it in my CoTD later. Moving onto this week, clearly the debt ceiling will dominate. The latest is that President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy will meet at the White House today to resume negotiations. There was a slightly more positive tone from both sides after a phone call between the two yesterday. This follows the GOP walking out on talks late Friday. Yellen said over the weekend that the chances that the US can pay its bills by mid-June are "quite low". Outside of this story, the highlights for the week ahead include the global flash PMIs tomorrow and the US PCE inflation release on Friday. The details of the University of Michigan Survey the same day are going to be interesting as 5-10yr inflation expectations spiked from 2.9% to 3.2% earlier this month in the prelim reading, a level that hasn't been exceeded since 2007. This often gets revised down in the final print but if not, it could mark a firming of inflation at the consumer level. Watch for any upward revisions to Q1 US GDP on Thursday after recent better than expected data. Also on the data front we have UK inflation on Wednesday (last month shocked to the upside at 10.1% - 8.2% expected this week), various sentiment data in Europe and the Tokyo CPI in Japan on Friday. From central banks, as the June FOMC slowly comes into view and with an increasing possibility of a hike that was all but ruled out 1-2 weeks ago, there are lots of Fed speakers, especially early in the week (see in the calendar at the end), and also the release of the FOMC meeting minutes on Wednesday. This might help show how high the bar is for the Fed to add more hikes. Although earnings season is drawing to a close, Nvidia on Wednesday could be worth watching. Nvidia is up +112% in 2023 and has a market cap of $773bn highlighting why AI is becoming a huge topic and one that also moves macro markets. Nvidia is trading on heroic valuations which time will tell if they are justified. The day by day weekly calendar is at the end as usual for a fuller list of what's coming up. Asian equity markets have shrugged off Friday’s GOP talks walkout losses on Wall Street following comments by President Biden during the G-7 summit that he sees US-China relations improving “very shortly”. Across the region, the Hang Seng (+1.32%) is leading gains with the KOSPI (+0.83%), the CSI (+0.39%), the Shanghai Composite (+0.11%) and the Nikkei (+0.10%) also up. S&P 500 futures (-0.03%) are trading just below flat with 10yr USTs -2.3bps lower, trading at 3.65%, as we go to press. Early morning data showed that Japanese core machinery orders unexpectedly dropped -3.9% m/m in March (v/s +0.4% expected, -4.5% in February), contracting for the second month in a row. Elsewhere, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) kept their benchmark lending rates unchanged for a ninth straight month, keeping the one-year loan prime rate intact at 3.65% while the five-year rate, a reference for mortgages, was also held at 4.3%, as expected. Looking at last week now and there were a number of fascinating themes. For most of the week there was growing optimism that US leaders were getting closer to reaching a deal on the US debt ceiling. However, on Friday, debt limit talks hit a wall as the GOP negotiators walked out on negotiations. This turn in events erased some of the earlier positive sentiment, and the x-date sensitive 1M T-bills sold off, with yields rising +2.6bps on Friday to 5.325%, leaving 1M yields down -9.5bps on the week. At one point Friday, 1M yields rose as much as +10.8bps to over 5.40% before coming back in over the last two hours of trading. This all came while Chairman Powell stated in a speech on Friday that “rates may not need to rise as high given credit stress”, with the Fed to remain data dependent. In his prepared remarks he noted that “we can afford to look at the data and the evolving outlook to make careful assessments,” which seemed to indicate a pause in June is the most likely scenario. This was in some contrast to the more hawkish sentiment that came from Fed speak earlier in the week. Turning back to the banking sector, CNN reported that Treasury Secretary Yellen told bank CEOs that more mergers of large lenders may be needed looking ahead as sector stress continues. Off the back of all this, the Fed rate priced in for June’s meeting by Fed fund futures fell back -4.3bps to 5.124% on Friday, although remained +2.6bps up on the week. The expected rate for July also slipped -1.0bps on Powell’s comments but gained +12.8bps in weekly terms, with markets seeing a Fed pause increasingly on the cards but not a July cut anymore. There was a -1.1bps fall for the expected rate for the final meeting of the year in December, but it was up +25.3bps on the week, pricing in -48.9bps of rate cuts by year end. Against this backdrop, US fixed income whipsawed on Friday, with US 10yr yields down at the open before gaining +2.7bps to 3.673% after news on the debt ceiling, and up +21.0bps on the week, its greatest weekly increase since the week before last Christmas. US 30yr yields also climbed +2.3bps on Friday, up +13.8bps in weekly terms. The more policy sensitive 2yr yields traded largely flat on Powell’s comments, up +1.4bps on Friday, and +27.9bps in weekly terms. 10yr bund yields fell back -1.8bps on Friday, but were likewise up +15.1bps week-on-week. With these developments, a risk-off sentiment weighed on US equity markets on Friday. The S&P 500 fell back -0.14% on Friday, although earlier gains left the index up +1.65% week-on-week. The NASDAQ slipped -0.24% on Friday but gained +3.04% last week as the tech sector outperformed. The likes of NVIDIA, Tesla and Meta were up +10.32%, +7.24% and +5.06% week-on-week respectively. Renewed concerns over banking sector stresses following earlier comments from Powell and Yellen saw the S&P 500 banks -0.71% on Friday (+4.63% on the week). The regional banking KBW index also fell -0.98% but was up +5.81% week-on-week after strong risk-on sentiment earlier in the week. Over in Europe, markets finished the week up, with the STOXX gaining +0.72% on the week (+0.66% on Friday). The German Dax closed up +2.27% week-on-week (+0.69% on Friday) to all-time highs, its largest weekly up-move since before the mid-March banking stress. Finally, turning to commodities, oil saw its best week since early April, breaking its four-week streak of weekly losses, as risk sentiment improved following debt ceiling reassurances from the White House. Wildfires in Alberta, Canada, had also disrupted oil output, adding tightness to supply. Brent crude gained +1.90% on a weekly basis (-0.37% on Friday), up to $75.58/bbl. WTI crude gained +2.16% last week despite the pullback (-0.43%) on Friday. Tyler Durden Mon, 05/22/2023 - 08:18.....»»

You don't need high risk to produce high returns. Dividend-paying stocks can produce outsized profits on more defensive names. Bryan Hayes explains the importance of dividends in your portfolio and highlights an underappreciated space that you might want to consider. The bigger the better, right?It’s the American way. It’s easy to become enamored with large-cap tech stocks. Of course, every investor wants the best possible returns for their portfolio. All investors are susceptible to thinking that great results can only come from big tech companies that continuously pump out large profits.I am here to tell you otherwise. Dividend-paying stocks can provide outsized returns – in some cases better than many technology stocks – all with relatively lower risk. This is what makes the dividend strategy one of my favorite strategies. I think every investor should consider owning dividend-paying stocks as part of their overall portfolio.U.S. companies paid out a record $574.2 billion in dividends to shareholders last year. Dividends in the U.S. grew a substantial 7.6% in 2022, with 94% of dividend payers either raising or sustaining payments. Corporate balance sheets remain healthy, which is vital for future dividend growth.There’s no doubt that 2022 was a challenging environment for stocks. Yet, it highlighted the many strengths of dividend equities, which outperformed non-dividend stocks and bonds during the year. And many of these companies have continued their outperformance into 2023.The Power of Dividends – An All-Weather Investment Strategy Dividend-paying stocks can help reduce portfolio volatility while also providing a degree of inflation protection. Many dividend-paying companies are able to pass on higher costs by raising their prices, exhibiting a high degree of pricing power. We saw this last year as many dividend payers not only held up well amid the bear market, but witnessed substantial appreciation as sectors such as consumer staples and energy outperformed. The dividend strategy is one that has the potential to outperform in multiple economic scenarios.Companies that generate enough free cash flow to pay and increase dividends with consistency tend to be stable businesses. The positive impact that stems from quarterly cash payments becomes more valuable as investors seek to reduce risk. Given an uncertain economic environment, the demand for near-term and predictable cash flows increases.Inflation impacts fixed income and equity securities in a fundamentally different way. Most fixed income instruments are predicated on a contractual payment for a set period, and as such, bond investors assume substantial inflation risk. Dividend-paying companies, however, can increase their dividends over time, enabling investors to grow their income stream and potentially hedge against the effects of inflation.Dividend Growth – A Subtle Yet Reliable Indicator  Contrary to conventional wisdom, the opportunity still exists for investors to create a reliable stream of income from the equity markets. One of the best ways to increase returns is to compound dividends received. Over time, reinvesting dividends can have a significant impact on overall portfolio returns.It helps to gain a perspective of the role dividends have played throughout history. Dividends and their reinvestment represent a major portion of a stock investor’s total return over the long run. An examination of equity returns dating back 30 years dramatically illustrates this property.An investor in the S&P 500 would have realized a +1,542.4% total return over the last 30 years. Excluding dividends, that return would have been reduced to +818.8%. This demonstrates that dividends represented nearly 47% of the total return over the 30-year period. Price appreciation is the glamor that investors tend to focus on, but dividends are the slow and steady engine that drive portfolio returns over the long run.I prefer to target companies that have a history of raising dividends, even during uncertain times such as the current market environment. I have found the dividend growth rate to be a reliable forecaster of future earnings growth.Corporate directors know their companies better than anyone else. They know the financial condition of their business, along with the outlook for its future earnings growth. They will only raise dividends if they truly believe that future earnings will be able to sustain higher dividend payouts.A consistently rising dividend trend subtly reveals a company’s progress and is one of the best indicators of a healthy, growing enterprise. Using this simple yet effective strategy of investing in companies that consistently raise their dividends, investors can harness the power of compounding income. There are no complex formulas or calculations required.The Zacks Income Investor service reverses the conventional wisdom that high returns must come with high risk. One of the goals of this service is to achieve above-average returns with relatively low risk. Our aim is to make profits during both bull and bear markets. Over the years, I’ve learned that simple is better – both in life and investing. The more complicated a strategy is, the less likely it is to work in the future.Continued . . .------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Zacks Answer to Market Volatility and InflationWe find stocks that not only pay nearly 2X higher dividends than the S&P 500 but are projected to do so quarter after quarter. This can give you a smoother ride through volatile periods. PLUS we apply Zacks Rank analysis to catch rising earnings estimates for market-beating growth.Starting today, you can follow our live buys and sells in real time for 30 days. Total cost $1. Plus, to cover short-term investments, you’ll also get Zacks 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days FREE.Hurry, opportunity ends midnight Saturday, May 20.See Our “Growthy” Dividend and 7 Best Stocks Now >>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Health Care Dividends – Underappreciated and Undervalued The Zacks Medical sector is comprised of companies dealing in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, health care providers, medical supplies, and medical devices. The sector is not generally known for having impressive yields, but health care companies have proven that they are committed to being consistent dividend payers. Zacks Income Investor has exposure to health care companies, and we are planning on increasing that level very soon.Health care companies bring the best of both worlds. They’re historically viewed as a defensive area of the market that is relatively immune to economic volatility, but patients require care regardless of the state of the economy. Last year saw strength in many health care industries, and these same industries are still outperforming even as stocks have started to rise this year.Yet irrespective of the defensive theme, high levels of innovation are taking place in health care. We’ve all heard of the popular artificial intelligence (AI) products this year, including chatbots like ChatGPT. But one area that is not getting enough attention is health care. The emergence of AI in health care has been revolutionary, reshaping the way we diagnose, treat and monitor patients. More personalized treatments along with more accurate diagnoses are just a few of the ways AI has benefitted this space.Hospitals, clinics, and health care providers are leveraging artificial intelligence to analyze vast amounts of documentation, enabling medical professionals to quickly identify health care solutions that would otherwise take much longer. From scanning images for early disease detection, to predicting patient outcomes via machine learning, the potential applications of AI and health care are extensive.As humanity moves forward into a more digital world, the use of AI in the health care sector will reshape the doctor-patient relationship. The future of health care is bright and filled with endless possibilities of innovative advancements, improved outcomes and better patient experiences. When we combine the solid dividend growth of health care companies with the potential for substantial price appreciation due to explosive growth prospects, we have a recipe for success.Final Thoughts I think dividend-paying stocks are more important than ever. With the corporate earnings outlook uncertain at best, these steady, income-producing equities with strong balance sheets and a history of raising dividends are an investor’s best friend. Compounding returns using the dividend strategies we mentioned above is a great long-term approach to building wealth.Stock market performance can be difficult to predict, but dividend investing remains a sound strategy. Health care stocks represent a great mix of reliable dividends and potential price appreciation given AI breakthroughs. If market volatility remains present as it was last year, dividend stocks should perform well, even if the U.S. enters a mild recession. If markets continue to surprise to the upside as they have to start the year, dividend equities will likely participate in the recovery.Where to Find Strong Dividend Stocks Maybe I’m biased since I manage the service, but why not look into our Zacks Income Investor?We have 12 double-digit gains on the recommendation board as I write this (one is a triple-digit gain). And this is your special invitation to see our buys and sells in real time for the next 30 days.Right now I’m lining up a brand-new recommendation for Monday, and I think it can deliver another double or triple-digit performance.Your cost? Only $1.It gets even better. That same dollar automatically buys you access to all our long-term buys and sells for 30 days with our Zacks Investor Collection package.So, in addition to Income Investor, you get to look inside Stocks Under $10, Home Run Investor, ETF Investor, Value Investor, and Zacks Top 10.Last year alone, these services closed 42 double- and triple-digit gains.Just-Released Bonus Report: 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days.While you’re waiting for the big gains to take shape, here are 7 stocks hand-picked by Zacks experts to jump the soonest. Previous 7 Bests caught gains like FVRR +84.6% in 1 month... NVDA +41.1% in 1 month... Maxar +178.7% in 3 months.¹Click now to take advantage. This $1 arrangement expires midnight Saturday, May 20 >> Wishing You the Best on Your Investing Journey,BryanBryan Hayes CFA manages Zacks Income Investor and Headline Trader and has deep experience in both long-term and short-term investing. He invites you to take advantage of our unique $1 opportunity.¹ The results listed above are not (or may not be) representative of the performance of all selections made by Zacks Investment Research's newsletter editors and may represent the partial close of a position.  Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double" From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all. It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time. This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»

You don't need high risk to produce high returns. Dividend-paying stocks can produce outsized profits on more defensive names. Bryan Hayes explains the importance of dividends in your portfolio and highlights an underappreciated space that you might want to consider. The bigger the better, right?It’s the American way. It’s easy to become enamored with large-cap tech stocks. Of course, every investor wants the best possible returns for their portfolio. All investors are susceptible to thinking that great results can only come from big tech companies that continuously pump out large profits.I am here to tell you otherwise. Dividend-paying stocks can provide outsized returns – in some cases better than many technology stocks – all with relatively lower risk. This is what makes the dividend strategy one of my favorite strategies. I think every investor should consider owning dividend-paying stocks as part of their overall portfolio.U.S. companies paid out a record $574.2 billion in dividends to shareholders last year. Dividends in the U.S. grew a substantial 7.6% in 2022, with 94% of dividend payers either raising or sustaining payments. Corporate balance sheets remain healthy, which is vital for future dividend growth.There’s no doubt that 2022 was a challenging environment for stocks. Yet, it highlighted the many strengths of dividend equities, which outperformed non-dividend stocks and bonds during the year. And many of these companies have continued their outperformance into 2023.The Power of Dividends – An All-Weather Investment Strategy Dividend-paying stocks can help reduce portfolio volatility while also providing a degree of inflation protection. Many dividend-paying companies are able to pass on higher costs by raising their prices, exhibiting a high degree of pricing power. We saw this last year as many dividend payers not only held up well amid the bear market, but witnessed substantial appreciation as sectors such as consumer staples and energy outperformed. The dividend strategy is one that has the potential to outperform in multiple economic scenarios.Companies that generate enough free cash flow to pay and increase dividends with consistency tend to be stable businesses. The positive impact that stems from quarterly cash payments becomes more valuable as investors seek to reduce risk. Given an uncertain economic environment, the demand for near-term and predictable cash flows increases.Inflation impacts fixed income and equity securities in a fundamentally different way. Most fixed income instruments are predicated on a contractual payment for a set period, and as such, bond investors assume substantial inflation risk. Dividend-paying companies, however, can increase their dividends over time, enabling investors to grow their income stream and potentially hedge against the effects of inflation.Dividend Growth – A Subtle Yet Reliable Indicator  Contrary to conventional wisdom, the opportunity still exists for investors to create a reliable stream of income from the equity markets. One of the best ways to increase returns is to compound dividends received. Over time, reinvesting dividends can have a significant impact on overall portfolio returns.It helps to gain a perspective of the role dividends have played throughout history. Dividends and their reinvestment represent a major portion of a stock investor’s total return over the long run. An examination of equity returns dating back 30 years dramatically illustrates this property.An investor in the S&P 500 would have realized a +1,542.4% total return over the last 30 years. Excluding dividends, that return would have been reduced to +818.8%. This demonstrates that dividends represented nearly 47% of the total return over the 30-year period. Price appreciation is the glamor that investors tend to focus on, but dividends are the slow and steady engine that drive portfolio returns over the long run.I prefer to target companies that have a history of raising dividends, even during uncertain times such as the current market environment. I have found the dividend growth rate to be a reliable forecaster of future earnings growth.Corporate directors know their companies better than anyone else. They know the financial condition of their business, along with the outlook for its future earnings growth. They will only raise dividends if they truly believe that future earnings will be able to sustain higher dividend payouts.A consistently rising dividend trend subtly reveals a company’s progress and is one of the best indicators of a healthy, growing enterprise. Using this simple yet effective strategy of investing in companies that consistently raise their dividends, investors can harness the power of compounding income. There are no complex formulas or calculations required.The Zacks Income Investor service reverses the conventional wisdom that high returns must come with high risk. One of the goals of this service is to achieve above-average returns with relatively low risk. Our aim is to make profits during both bull and bear markets. Over the years, I’ve learned that simple is better – both in life and investing. The more complicated a strategy is, the less likely it is to work in the future.Continued . . .------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Zacks Answer to Market Volatility and InflationWe find stocks that not only pay nearly 2X higher dividends than the S&P 500 but are projected to do so quarter after quarter. This can give you a smoother ride through volatile periods. PLUS we apply Zacks Rank analysis to catch rising earnings estimates for market-beating growth.Starting today, you can follow our live buys and sells in real time for 30 days. Total cost $1. Plus, to cover short-term investments, you’ll also get Zacks 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days FREE.Hurry, opportunity ends midnight Saturday, May 20.See Our “Growthy” Dividend and 7 Best Stocks Now >>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Health Care Dividends – Underappreciated and Undervalued The Zacks Medical sector is comprised of companies dealing in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, health care providers, medical supplies, and medical devices. The sector is not generally known for having impressive yields, but health care companies have proven that they are committed to being consistent dividend payers. Zacks Income Investor has exposure to health care companies, and we are planning on increasing that level very soon.Health care companies bring the best of both worlds. They’re historically viewed as a defensive area of the market that is relatively immune to economic volatility, but patients require care regardless of the state of the economy. Last year saw strength in many health care industries, and these same industries are still outperforming even as stocks have started to rise this year.Yet irrespective of the defensive theme, high levels of innovation are taking place in health care. We’ve all heard of the popular artificial intelligence (AI) products this year, including chatbots like ChatGPT. But one area that is not getting enough attention is health care. The emergence of AI in health care has been revolutionary, reshaping the way we diagnose, treat and monitor patients. More personalized treatments along with more accurate diagnoses are just a few of the ways AI has benefitted this space.Hospitals, clinics, and health care providers are leveraging artificial intelligence to analyze vast amounts of documentation, enabling medical professionals to quickly identify health care solutions that would otherwise take much longer. From scanning images for early disease detection, to predicting patient outcomes via machine learning, the potential applications of AI and health care are extensive.As humanity moves forward into a more digital world, the use of AI in the health care sector will reshape the doctor-patient relationship. The future of health care is bright and filled with endless possibilities of innovative advancements, improved outcomes and better patient experiences. When we combine the solid dividend growth of health care companies with the potential for substantial price appreciation due to explosive growth prospects, we have a recipe for success.Final Thoughts I think dividend-paying stocks are more important than ever. With the corporate earnings outlook uncertain at best, these steady, income-producing equities with strong balance sheets and a history of raising dividends are an investor’s best friend. Compounding returns using the dividend strategies we mentioned above is a great long-term approach to building wealth.Stock market performance can be difficult to predict, but dividend investing remains a sound strategy. Health care stocks represent a great mix of reliable dividends and potential price appreciation given AI breakthroughs. If market volatility remains present as it was last year, dividend stocks should perform well, even if the U.S. enters a mild recession. If markets continue to surprise to the upside as they have to start the year, dividend equities will likely participate in the recovery.Where to Find Strong Dividend Stocks Maybe I’m biased since I manage the service, but why not look into our Zacks Income Investor?We have 12 double-digit gains on the recommendation board as I write this (one is a triple-digit gain). And this is your special invitation to see our buys and sells in real time for the next 30 days.Right now I’m lining up a brand-new recommendation for Monday, and I think it can deliver another double or triple-digit performance.Your cost? Only $1.It gets even better. That same dollar automatically buys you access to all our long-term buys and sells for 30 days with our Zacks Investor Collection package.So, in addition to Income Investor, you get to look inside Stocks Under $10, Home Run Investor, ETF Investor, Value Investor, and Zacks Top 10.Last year alone, these services closed 42 double- and triple-digit gains.Just-Released Bonus Report: 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days.While you’re waiting for the big gains to take shape, here are 7 stocks hand-picked by Zacks experts to jump the soonest. Previous 7 Bests caught gains like FVRR +84.6% in 1 month... NVDA +41.1% in 1 month... Maxar +178.7% in 3 months.¹Click now to take advantage. This $1 arrangement expires midnight Saturday, May 20 >> Wishing You the Best on Your Investing Journey,BryanBryan Hayes CFA manages Zacks Income Investor and Headline Trader and has deep experience in both long-term and short-term investing. He invites you to take advantage of our unique $1 opportunity.¹ The results listed above are not (or may not be) representative of the performance of all selections made by Zacks Investment Research's newsletter editors and may represent the partial close of a position. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»

Novartis (NVS) gains 10.6% year to date on strong first-quarter results and encouraging data on Kisqali from the NATALEE study. Shares of Novartis NVS have gained 10.8% in the year so far compared with the industry’s 1.6% growth.The stock has had a good run so far in 2023. It gained strong momentum in the last couple of months.Novartis’ performance in the first quarter was better than expected, as earnings and sales beat estimates, and guidance was raised. This boosted investors’ sentiment and increased its share price.While the older drugs face generic competition, the continued strong performance of Entresto, Pluvicto, Kesimpta and Kisqali fueled growth and should maintain momentum. Pluvicto and Scemblix saw very strong launches and recorded solid sales. Demand for Pluvicto continues to exceed supply in the United States. The Leqvio launch continues to progress well.Growth engine Entresto’s sales rose 32% in the first quarter to $1.4 billion due to sustained, robust demand-led growth and increased patient share across all geographies. In March, the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion recommending approval of Entresto for a new indication to treat symptomatic chronic heart failure with left ventricular systolic dysfunction in pediatric patients. Entresto is indicated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure in adult patients with chronic heart failure in the United States.Shares also surged in March after Novartis announced the positive top-line results from an interim analysis of the late-stage NATALEE study on the breast cancer drug Kisqali. The Independent Data Monitoring Committee recommended that the study be stopped early as the primary endpoint of invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) was met. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The positive top-line results from NATALEE support Novartis’ efforts to expand the benefits of Kisqali to patients with earlier stages of breast cancer. Kisqali's sales gained 81% in the first quarter to $415 million and should gain further momentum.In December 2022, the European Commission (EC) approved Pluvicto in combination with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with or without androgen receptor (AR) pathway inhibition for the treatment of adult patients with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Last month, the FDA approved the Millburn facility for commercial production of Pluvicto, which should contribute meaningfully to supply in the third quarter.However, the performance of Novartis’ other growth driver, Cosentyx, was pretty ordinary in the first quarter, as sales growth across key geographies was impacted by revenue deduction adjustments in the United States.Novartis earlier announced that it planned to spin off Sandoz into a new publicly traded standalone company following a strategic review. The planned spin-off of the Sandoz unit remains on track for the second half of 2023. With the planned spin-off of Sandoz, Novartis is looking to become a pure-play pharmaceutical company.Novartis currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Some other top-ranked stocks in the healthcare sector are Ligand Pharmaceuticals LGND and Novo Nordisk NVO. The companies sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Over the past 30 days, earnings estimates for LGND have increased by 63 cents to $4.79. LGND topped earnings estimates in two of the last four quarters and missed in the remaining two, the average surprise being 21.50%.Over the past 30 days, estimates for NVO’s 2023 earnings have risen by 11 cents to $4.95. Novo Nordisk topped earnings estimates in three of the last four quarters and missed the same in the remaining one, the four-quarter earnings surprise being 0.35%, on average. Free Report: Top EV Battery Stocks to Buy Now Just-released report reveals 5 stocks to profit as millions of EV batteries are made. Elon Musk tweeted that lithium prices have gone to "insane levels," and they're likely to keep climbing. As a result, a handful of lithium battery stocks are set to skyrocket. Access this report to discover which battery stocks to buy and which to avoid.Download free today.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Novartis AG (NVS): Free Stock Analysis Report Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO): Free Stock Analysis Report Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (LGND): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»

In this article, we will take a look at the top 15 pharmaceutical companies in India. For more companies, click Top 5 Pharmaceutical Companies in India. India is the largest producer of generic medications and vaccines worldwide. It makes up about 20% of the entire amount of generic drug supply in the world. With almost 200 […] In this article, we will take a look at the top 15 pharmaceutical companies in India. For more companies, click Top 5 Pharmaceutical Companies in India. India is the largest producer of generic medications and vaccines worldwide. It makes up about 20% of the entire amount of generic drug supply in the world. With almost 200 nations receiving Indian pharmaceutical exports, India is a significant pharmaceutical exporter. In addition, India has a strong network of over 10,500 production facilities, over 3,000 pharmaceutical enterprises, and a manpower pool that is highly skilled. Outside of the US, India has the most pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities that adhere to FDA rules. More than 500 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are produced in India, supplying 60,000 generic brands. India now has the third-largest API market in the world as a result. Most supplies are made up of over-the-counter medications used to treat common ailments without endangering life. The pharmaceutical industry’s most important cities are Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Visakhapatnam, and Ahmedabad. One of the top-performing sectors that provide lucrative business prospects is the Indian pharmaceutical market. In recent years, it has experienced enormous expansion. As the Indian pharmaceutical business transitions from a volume maker to a valued supplier in 2022, investors are turning to this sector for safe haven investments.  In 2020, the pharmaceutical industry’s main focus was on covid medicines, but by 2022, it had turned to other serious ailments, including cancer and anaemia. In addition, research and development were highly valued in the Indian pharmaceutical business. As a result, India emerged as a global medical behemoth’ in 2022 by growing its R&D ecosystem and increasing pharmaceutical exports.  India’s pharmaceutical sector is presently worth $50 billion. A recent EY FICCI analysis projects that the Indian pharmaceutical industry will expand to $65 billion by 2024 and to $130 billion by 2030 due to a growing consensus over the need to provide patients with novel, innovative remedies. By 2023, it is anticipated that the worldwide market for pharmaceutical products will reach $1 trillion. With this outlook in mind, let’s start our list of top pharmaceuticals company in India. Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash Our Methodology This article will examine the biggest pharma companies in India. The companies are listed in ascending order of total employee count because larger enterprises often have a far higher staff count than smaller ones in the same industry. Top Pharmaceuticals Companies in India 15. Intas Pharmaceuticals Limited Number of Employees: 8,000  Intas Pharmaceuticals Limited is an Indian pharmaceutical company headquartered in Ahmedabad. It produces generic medications as well as contracts clinical research and production. It operates 18 production sites, 15 of which are in India and the remainder in the United Kingdom and Mexico. Intas has a presence in more than 85 countries and is expanding at a CAGR of over 22%. 14. Emcure Pharmaceuticals Number of Employees: 9,000 Emcure Pharmaceuticals Limited is a multinational pharmaceutical firm based in Pune, India. Emcure’s product line includes tablets, capsules, and injectables. Emcure Pharmaceuticals’ product portfolio, which has a strong chronic and sub-chronic emphasis, includes all the key medicines and is the industry leader in fields including women’s health, blood-related illnesses, HIV, anti-infectives, cardiac care, and vitamins. Emcure Pharmaceuticals has distribution channels and a network that reaches over 70 countries. In addition, the company has 14 production plants and 5 R&D centers. Emcure Pharmaceuticals Limited generated revenue of $730 million in FY 2022.  13. Piramal Enterprises Limited (NSE:PEL.NS) Number of Employees: 13,561 Piramal Enterprises Limited conducts operations in the financial services and pharmaceutical industries in India, North America, Europe, Japan, and other countries. Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing and Services are two of its operating segments. The business provides contract development and manufacturing services, such as drug discovery, production, and manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients and formulations, as well as drugs for intrathecal spasticity management, inhalation and injectable anesthesia, injectable pain, antibiotics, and other medications.  12. Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited (NSE:TORNTPHARM.NS) Number of Employees: 13,900 Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited is the main company of the Torrent Group and is one of the leading Pharma companies in India. The firm is among the leaders in the therapeutic area of cardiovascular, central nervous system, gastrointestinal, and women’s healthcare. Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited in India originally introduced the idea of specialty marketing. The company is also well-represented in cancer, anti-infectives, diabetology, and pain treatment categories. Additionally, Torrent Pharma has a significant global footprint that spans 40 nations, with activities in developed and rising areas such as the US, Europe, Brazil, and the rest of the globe. The company operates through its 12 fully-owned subsidiaries, having a presence in 40 countries. In 2022, the company’s revenue was $1.1 billion. 11. Abbott India Limited (NSE:ABBOTINDIA.NS) Number of Employees: 14,000 Abbott India Limited, located in Mumbai, is a publicly traded corporation and a subsidiary of Abbott Capital India Limited. It has one of the quickest rates of growth among Indian pharmaceutical businesses. The business offers trustworthy, high-quality drugs in various therapeutic areas, such as women’s health, gastroenterology, cardiology, metabolic disorders, central nervous system, pain management, pre-term labor, vitamins, sleeplessness, vaccinations, consumer health, etc. Thyronorm, Eptoin, Duphaston, Duphalac, Vertin, Udiliv, Heptral, Digene, Cremaffin, and Prothiaden are some of its well-known trademarks. 10. Biocon Limited (NSE:BIOCON.NS) Number of Employees: 14,750 Biocon Limited (NSE:BIOCON.NS) makes drugs, therapeutic compounds, and herbal items. Generics, Novel Biologics, Biosimilars, and Research Services are among the company’s segments. Its primary focus areas include diabetes, cancer, immunology, ophthalmology, and bone health issues. It also offers comprehensive services for the research, development, and manufacture of both small and large molecules. The company provides customer assistance in around 120 countries, including Europe and the US. INSUGEN (rh-insulin), BASALOG (Glargine), BIOMAb EGFR (Nimotuzumab), BLISTO (Glimepiride + Metformin), CANMAb (Trastuzumab), Evertor (Everolimus), TACROGRAF (Tacrolimus), ALZUMAb (Itolizumab), and KRABEVA (Bevacizumab) are some of Biocon’s most important brands in India. The company’s consolidated revenue grew 14% to $1.1 billion in FY22. 9. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited (NSE:GLENMARK.NS) Number of Employees: 15,415 Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited develops, produces, and markets pharmaceutical products in India, North America, Latin America, Europe, Japan, and globally through its subsidiaries. In the therapeutic fields of dermatology, respiratory, and cancer, the firm offers both branded and generic formulations and different active pharmaceutical components. The company operates 14 production plants in Argentina, the Czech Republic, India, and the US. Numerous regulatory agencies inspect these facilities, such as the US-FDA, MHRA UK, and ANVISA Brazil. In addition, being a research-driven company, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited has also made investments in special R&D facilities for international markets. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited brought in $1.48 billion in sales in FY 2022. 8. Alkem Laboratories Ltd. (NSE:ALKEM.NS) Number of Employees: 17,000 Alkem Laboratories is a pharmaceutical company with international operations. The business creates, produces, and markets pharmaceutical and nutraceutical goods. It has built a strong market position in anti-infective, gastrointestinal, pain management, vitamins, minerals, and nutritional areas, as well as acute treatment. Branded Generics, Generic Drugs, API Nutraceuticals, and Biosimilars are among the company’s product offerings. As of March 31, 2022, Alkem had 21 production facilities—19 in India and 2 in the US. Clavam, Pan 40, Taxim-O, Taxim-D, Taxim Injection, Gemcal, A to Z Tabs, Ondem, Xone, Sumo, Zocef, Pipzo, Swich, Xone XP, and Uprise D3 are some of its top brands. 7. Divi’s Laboratories (NSE:DIVISLAB:NS) Number of Employees: 17000 Established in 1990, Divi’s Laboratories is a top producer of active pharmaceutical ingredients, exporting top-notch goods to over 95 nations. Europe accounts for most of the company’s sales, followed by North America, India, and Asia. The business views investing in mergers and acquisitions as a possible part of its operational growth plan to boost its R&D, production, and marketing capabilities. In FY22, Divi’s Laboratories generated $1.1 billion in revenue. 6. Lupin Limited (NSE:LUPIN.NS) Number of Employees: 20,000 Lupin Limited develops, produces, distributes, and markets a wide range of biotechnology products, branded and generic formulations, and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Cardiovascular, asthma, diabetes management, pediatrics, central nervous system, gastroenterology, anti-infectives, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), anti-TB, and cephalosporins are among its areas of specialization. With 18 production facilities, Lupin sells its goods in more than 100 nations. India, the US, Japan, Europe, South Africa, the Philippines, and Australia are key markets for the company. The Indian pharmaceutical firm Lupin Limited announced net revenues of $1.96 billion for the fiscal year 2022.   Click to continue reading and see Top 5 Pharmaceuticals Company in India.   Suggested articles: 15 Biggest Indian Tech Companies 11 Most Undervalued Biotech Stocks 11 High Growth Utility Stocks to Buy Disclosure: None. Top 15 Pharmaceuticals Company in India is originally published on Insider Monkey......»»

In a challenging economic climate, it is wise to invest in recession-proof mutual funds like FRUAX, JNGLX and FDIGX. The U.S. economy is facing a challenging situation, with signs of a slowdown in gross domestic product (GDP) growth and an acceleration in inflation. Data released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis in a Bloomberg survey shows that GDP increased at an annualized rate of 1.1% in the first quarter, lower than the expected median forecast of 1.9%.  However, inflation is rising at a concerning rate, leaving the Federal Reserve with a difficult decision to make. The Fed is facing the risk of stagflation, where the economy slows down while inflation continues to rise above its 2% target. The recent announcement by the Fed of a 25-basis point increase in interest rates has raised concerns about the possibility of an impending recession. However, this move also runs the risk of further slowing down the economy. Furthermore, the recent bank failures of First Republic Bank have created a credit crunch, adding to the challenges faced by the U.S. economy.  Investing in the stock market can be a risky endeavor, especially during times of economic uncertainty. However, there are certain types of funds that have a history of performing well during market downturns. These are known as "recession-proof" funds, which offer investors a sense of security during turbulent times. Three types of recession-proof funds that investors may consider are consumer staples, utility and healthcare funds. Consumer staples funds invest in companies that produce essential products and services that people need on a daily basis, regardless of the state of the economy. Utility funds invest in companies that provide essential services like electricity and gas, and healthcare funds invest in companies that produce medical equipment, pharmaceuticals and healthcare services. Thus, from an investment standpoint, we have selected three recession-proof mutual funds, which are expected to hedge your portfolio against any economic downturn and provide attractive returns. Mutual funds, in general, reduce transaction costs and diversify the portfolio without commission charges mostly associated with stock purchases (read more: Mutual Funds: Advantages, Disadvantages, and How They Make Investors Money). These mutual funds, by the way, boast a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy), have positive three-year and five-year annualized returns, minimum initial investments within $5000, and carry a low expense ratio. Franklin Utilities Fund FRUAX invests most of its net assets in equity securities of public utility companies that provide electricity, natural gas, water, and communications services to the public and companies that provide services to public utility companies. FRUAX advisors also invest a relatively small portion of their assets in companies operating in the utility industry. John Kohli has been the lead manager of FRUAX since Dec 30, 1998. Most of the fund’s holdings were in companies like NextEra Energy (11.8%), Southern Co (4.3%), and Duke Energy (4.2%) as of Dec 31, 2022. FRUAX’s 3-year and 5-year returns are 10.9% and 9.6%, respectively. The annual expense ratio is 0.57% compared to the category average of 0.94%. FRUAX has a Zacks Mutual  To see how this fund performed compared to its category and other 1 and 2 Ranked Mutual Funds, please click here. Janus Henderson Global Life Sciences Fund JNGLX invests the majority of its assets in securities of companies that demonstrate a life science orientation, including any investment-related borrowings in its net assets. Andy Acker has been the lead manager of JNGLX since Apr 30, 2007. Most of the fund’s holdings were in UNITEDHEALTH GROUP (6.6%), ASTRAZENECA PLC (4.4%) and ABBVIE INC (3.9%) as of Dec 31, 2022. JNGLX’s 3-year and 5-year annualized returns are 14.3% and 10.9%, respectively. Its net expense ratio is 0.80% compared to the category average of 1.03%. JNGLX has a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1. Fidelity Select Consumer Staples Portfolio FDIGX invests its assets in securities of local and international issuers that are engaged in the production, sale, or distribution of consumer staples. FDIGX uses fundamental analysis to make investment decisions, taking into consideration the market and economic environment. Ben Shuleva has been the lead manager of FDIGX since Dec 31, 2019. Most of the fund’s holdings were in COCA-COLA (15.1%), Procter & Gamble (14.6%) and Walmart. (7.3%) of Nov 11, 2022. FDIGX’s 3-year and 5-year annualized returns are 15.8% and 8.8%, respectively. Its net expense ratio is 0.74% compared to the category average of 0.76%. FDIGX has a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #2.Want key mutual fund info delivered straight to your inbox?Zacks' free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing mutual funds, each week. Get it free >> Free Report: Top EV Battery Stocks to Buy Now Just-released report reveals 5 stocks to profit as millions of EV batteries are made. Elon Musk tweeted that lithium prices have gone to "insane levels," and they're likely to keep climbing. As a result, a handful of lithium battery stocks are set to skyrocket. Access this report to discover which battery stocks to buy and which to avoid.Download free today.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Get Your Free (FDIGX): Fund Analysis Report Get Your Free (JNGLX): Fund Analysis Report Get Your Free (FRUAX): Fund Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment ResearchWant the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report.....»»

In this article, we take a look at 27 largest biotech companies in the US. You can skip our detailed analysis of the biotech industry and go directly to the 5 Largest Biotech Companies in the US. The largest biotech companies in the US have a total market cap of $88 trillion.  Latest Developments in […] In this article, we take a look at 27 largest biotech companies in the US. You can skip our detailed analysis of the biotech industry and go directly to the 5 Largest Biotech Companies in the US. The largest biotech companies in the US have a total market cap of $88 trillion.  Latest Developments in the Biotech Industry The biotechnology industry is making significant developments in food and agriculture to help minimize health risks and combat environmental threats. For example, a French biotech company called Enterome has collaborated with Nestlé to produce an immunity drug for the treatment of food allergies. Similarly, companies like UPSIDE Foods and BioBetter Limited are producing cultivated meat, which is sustainable and climate-friendly, and has gotten approved for safety by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Experts in biotechnology are also producing various profitable products that are encouraging growth in the pharmaceutical sector. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a vaccine printer that can make hundreds of vaccine patches during a day. This biotechnological invention can help combat the spread of the Ebola virus in countries that are still vulnerable to the epidemic such as Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. CureVac N.V. (NASDAQ:CVAC) had begun developing RNA printing technology in March 2022 to help the invention of this vaccine printer.    To further enhance the integration of artificial intelligence with biotechnology, researchers at Insilico Medicine are using ChatGPT to pace up the process of discovering potential drug targets for treatment. Similarly, scientists are using software such as Scilife, Veeva Vault, and Ace, which support innovation in biotechnology by improving content and quality management in laboratories.  Currently, the most common diseases in the US are cancer, obesity, and heart-related diseases. Various biotechnology companies are making huge investments to combat these diseases such as Guardant Health, Inc. (NASDAQ:GH), which developed liquid biopsy for cancer detection; and Verve Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:VERV), which is developing gene editing medicines for cardiovascular diseases. In order to combat diabetes, Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO) produced medicines called Ozempic and Wegovy, which quickly garnered mass popularity and celebrity endorsements. These are also prescribed by American doctors for weight loss and fighting cardiovascular issues. Digital health management companies such as WeightWatchers and Lark Health are also using biotechnology to help patients cope with chronic diseases by offering weight loss programs and health monitoring devices.  Outlook of the Biotech Industry The United States is the global leader in biotechnology, with Massachusetts being the biggest biotech hub in the world. It is closely followed by China, with the UK and the rest of Europe trailing behind. In response to China’s heavy investment in the biotechnology sector, the Biden government announced its creation of the National Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative, to support its bio-economy already worth $1 trillion in 2022.  Between 2022 and 2023, the S&P Biotechnology index increased by 8.86%. However, since the Federal Reserve is expected to increase interest rates through 2023, the value of biotech stocks might decrease compared to previous years, where the industry was supplied with huge investments and cheap capital to encourage the development of Covid 19 treatment.  Between 2022 and 2030, the global market is forecasted to grow at a compound annual rate of 13.9%, ultimately reaching $3879 billion in 2030. The development of genomic techniques to combat chronic diseases, enhancing the portability of biotechnological instruments, and the integration of robotics and biotechnology are predicted to be some of the key drivers of this industrial growth during the coming years.  Tonhom1009/Shutterstock.com Our Methodology For our list of the largest biotech companies in the US, we’ve ranked them in ascending order based on their annual revenue for the latest year. We’ve also included foreign companies that either trade or operate in the US.  Here are the 27 largest biotech companies in the US: 27. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX)  2022 Revenue: $8.93 billion This biotech company specializes in the development and production of small-molecule drugs to treat serious ailments. The revenue for Vertex Pharmaceuticals increased by 17.4% in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the previous year, and the company is expected to make further gains after receiving FDA’s approval to expand its cystic fibrosis medicine.  26. Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB)  2022 Revenue: $10.17 billion Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB) is a Massachusetts-based company that develops and delivers treatment for complex neurological illnesses such as Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis. Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB) was the first company to gain approval for its treatment of spinal muscular atrophy.  25. CSL Limited 2022 Revenue: $10.49 billion CSL Limited focuses on biotechnological advancement for combating rare diseases such as hereditary angioedema, producing vaccines for influenza, and treating iron deficiency in serious health conditions such as heart failure.  24. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:REGN) 2022 Revenue: $12.17 billion Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is a New York-based company that produces life-saving drugs for the treatment of  serious diseases. Its highest-selling product is Libtayo, a medicine for skin cancer, which drove sales of approximately  $448 million in 2022.  23. Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd.  2022 Revenue: $13.02 billion Otsuka Holdings is a Japanese company that conducts business in the global drugs and biotechnology industry. Otsuka Holdings Co. produces pharmaceuticals, neutraceuticals, and consumer products. In 2022, the company made a profit of $1.1 billion.  22. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (NYSE:LH) 2022 Revenue: $14.87 billion Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (NYSE:LH) is a biotech and healthcare company that has a network of 36 laboratories in America, which are used for diagnostics and drug development. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (NYSE:LH) is further expanding its business by buying Enzo Biochem, Inc. (NYSE:ENZ)’s clinical lab business for $146 million while also launching an independent clinical development business called Fortrea.  21. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (NYSE:TEVA) 2022 Revenue: $14.92 billion Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (NYSE:TEVA) produces generic drugs and consumer healthcare solutions. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (NYSE:TEVA) has a portfolio of 3600 medicines and health products, which are supplied to more than 200 million people in 60 countries across the world.   20. Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) 2022 Revenue: $15.11 billion Baxter International Inc. produces healthcare solutions for the treatment of nutritional and renal ailments among others. In the last quarter of 2022, its biggest stakeholder was Generation Investment Management, which held more than 10 million shares of the company, worth a total of $553 million.  19. Viatris Inc. (NASDAQ:VTRS) 2022 Revenue: $16.26 billion Viatris Inc. (NASDAQ:VTRS) is a Pennsylvania-based company that produces medicines, generic drugs, and pharmaceutical ingredients. Merely two years after its incorporation, Viatris Inc. (NASDAQ:VTRS) bought Oyster Point Pharma and Famy Life Sciences for $750 million and now aims to become a globally leading company in ophthalmology.  18. BioNTech SE (NASDAQ:BNTX) 2022 Revenue: $18.43 billion BioNTech SE is a German biotech and immunotherapy company that is traded publicly in the US. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the company collaborated with Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) to utilize its innovative genetic technology for the production of vaccines, which helped nearly 5 billion people in 181 countries in fighting coronavirus.  17. Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO) 2022 Revenue: $25.05 billion Novo Nordisk is a Danish biotech and pharmaceutical company that has established production plants in nine countries across the world, including the US. Its primary focus is on producing medicine to treat obesity, diabetes, and hemophilia among other illnesses. Its most popular medicines are Ozempic and Wegovy.    16. Amgen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) 2022 Revenue: $26.32 billion Amgen is one of the world’s biggest independent biotech and biopharmaceutical firms, that produces medicine for serious illnesses such as cancer and anemia. Amgen’s earnings for Q1 2023 amounted to $6.11 billion, a 2% decline compared to first-quarter earnings in 2022.  15. Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) 2022 Revenue: $27.28 billion Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) produces medicine and therapy for the treatment of cancers, viral diseases, and inflammation. Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) helped roughly 12 million people across the world in recovering from the coronavirus disease. 14. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) 2022 Revenue: $28.54 billion Eli Lilly and Company is famous for being the first biotech company to mass-produce Penicillin, which is the first antibiotic, and insulin. It is also the largest producer of psychiatric medicine such as Prozac and Zyprexa. The greatest share of Eli Lilly’s revenue is driven by the sale of Trulicity and Humalog, which treat diabetes.  13. Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (NYSE:TAK) 2022 Revenue: $29.59 billion Takeda Pharmaceutical is the largest Asian company in the biopharma sector. In March 2023, Takeda Pharmaceutical received an investment of $960,000 from the Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund for the development of antimalarial medicine.  12. GSK plc (NYSE:GSK) 2022 Revenue: $38.94 billion GSK is a global biotech and pharmaceutical company that produces vaccines, general medicine for primary care, and specialty medicine and therapy for cancer, HIV, and respiratory diseases. It is expanding its biotech operation in Canada by acquiring Bellus Health for $2 billion.  11. AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) 2022 Revenue: $44.35 billion AstraZeneca is a biotech company that produces medicine, vaccines, and immune therapy, specifically for type 2 diabetes, respiratory problems, and cancers. The company earned a profit of $1.8 billion in Q1 of 2023.  10. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO) 2022 Revenue: $44.91 billion Thermo Fisher Scientific is a biotechnology and healthcare distributor company that produces scientific instruments, software, and chemicals. In Q4 of 2022, its biggest stakeholder was Farallon Capital, which owned 1 million company shares, amounting to $639 million in total.  9. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) 2022 Revenue: $46.15 billion Bristol-Myers Squibb ranks among the most prominent global companies in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. The company has made a collaboration of $1 billion with Tubulis, a German biotechnology company, to develop and produce potent therapies for solid tumors and cancers.  8. Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY) 2022 Revenue: $47.62 billion Sanofi is a pharmaceutical and biotech company that produces vaccines and affordable medicine to provide quality healthcare in developing countries. The French company has acquired Provention Bio, Inc. (NASDAQ:PRVB), thus adding TZIELD–an innovative therapy for type 1 diabetes–to its portfolio.  7. Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) 2022 Revenue: $51.82 billion Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) is one of the leading research and development companies that produces transformative treatments for serious medical issues. Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) witnessed an increase in profit during the first quarter of 2023, which was mainly supported by sales of cardiovascular and cancer medicines. 6. Bayer AG 2022 Revenue: $53.67 billion Bayer is a German pharmaceutical and biotech company that also produces consumer healthcare products along with chemicals and seeds for agriculture. According to the CEO, the company’s sales increased by 9% in 2022, even though it was a difficult year for businesses amid the energy crisis and inflation. Click to continue reading and see the 5 Largest Biotech Companies in the US. Suggested Articles: Top 10 Growth Stocks in Biotech 12 Most Profitable Biotech Stocks Today 10 Most Promising Biotech Stocks According to Analysts Disclosure: None. 27 Largest Biotech Companies in the US is originally published on Insider Monkey......»»

Study Confirms Physical Exercise Should Be First Choice For Mental Health Treatment Authored by Jennifer Marguilis via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours), In a funk? Do you: a) reach for a bag of potato chips, b) call a friend, c) pop an extra anti-depressant, or d) head for the gym to sweat out the sadness? (Maridav/Shutterstock) For years, studies have shown that exercise is one of the best ways to treat a range of mental health issues. A new analysis of that whole body of research makes this clearer than ever. This new study, which was conducted by a team of 13 Australian scientists, was published in February in the British Medical Journal’s British Journal of Sports Medicine. As the researchers explored, pharmaceuticals are usually the first response to mental health issues worldwide, with lifestyle adjustments like exercise, sleep hygiene, and a healthy diet considered merely as complementary choices, at best. Even when lifestyle changes are recommended, they are seldom prescribed to patients in treatment by medical doctors. A Vast Evidence Base In order to synthesize the evidence on the positive and negative effects of physical activity on depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in adults, the Australian researchers performed an “umbrella overview,” a comprehensive analysis of all the work that has been done on the subject to date. The idea behind an umbrella review of this type is to try to quantify the strength of the signal. One scientific study provides some direct evidence that a treatment is useful; but when hundreds of studies confirm each other, taken together, these studies more strongly suggest that a treatment or intervention may be widely effective and applicable. Since so much research has been done in the field of exercise and mental health, the Australian team sought to examine the totality of the evidence. To that end, they looked at nearly a hundred reviews, comprising over a thousand studies done, on over 100,000 participants. In other words, they conducted a “systematic [review] of systematic reviews, synthesizing a vast evidence base.” Exercise Best Treatment for Depression Mental health is often pushed to the fringe of health care, but half of all people experience some mental health distress at some point in their lives, and more than 10 percent of people worldwide are currently struggling with mental health. Anxiety is the most common problem—and seems to be becoming more pronounced among children and younger adults—while depression poses the greatest burden to normal life function. The Australian researchers discovered that exercise provided the best results when used for treating depression. More specifically, exercise was 150 percent more effective than pharmaceuticals or Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It was also better than psychological consultation or “talk therapy.” In fact, exercise was shown to reduce depressive symptoms by 42 to 60 percent, whereas talk therapy and pharmaceuticals only reduced symptoms between 22 percent and 37 percent. Exercise was shown to be the best treatment for both anxiety and depression, even though pharmaceuticals are the most commonly recommended treatment for both. Any Kind of Exercise Works Every kind of exercise worked. The numerous studies looked at many types and schedules of exercise, and they all worked—doing any movement regularly (including dancing, walking, and yoga) was a big improvement over doing nothing. Read more here... Tyler Durden Mon, 03/27/2023 - 22:20.....»»

Shares of drugmakers Sanofi and Regeneron surged more than 6% on Mar 23 on COPD drug data. Shares of drugmakers Sanofi SNY and Regeneron REGN both surged more than 6% on Mar 23 after they came up with data on a jointly developed drug Dupixent that shows promise in treating COPD. The drug is already approved for asthma and some skin conditions, such as eczema. But its role in treating COPD came to light for the first time in over a decade.New data from a phase three clinical trial shows Dupixent lowered bad bouts of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, by 30% compared with a placebo over 52 weeks, per a CNBC article. The trial enrolled COPD patients with type 2 inflammation — an allergic response that can result in decreased lung function. About 300,000 people in the United States alone live with COPD with type 2 inflammation, according to Regeneron.The more than 900 participants in the trial showed improvements in lung function on receiving Dupixent. The companies said a second phase three trial of Dupixent in COPD is ongoing, with data likely to come in 2024.“This benefit suggests a clear clinically meaningful benefit for Dupixent and should support broad usage for the asset in this segment of the COPD market,” Schott wrote in a research note to clients Thursday, as quoted on the above-mentioned CNBC article.The article pointed out that J.P. Morgan expects to see new COPD patients infusing $1.5 billion to $2 billion in new sales for Dupixent. Dupixent amassed sales of $8.7 billion last year for Regeneron, up 40% year over year.Against this backdrop, investors can bet on the pharma ETFs that are heavy on Sanofi and Regeneron.ETFs in FocusInvesco Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBBQ) Regeneron: 7.96% of the fund’s weightSanofi: 1.43% of the fund’s weightThe underlying Nasdaq Biotechnology Index measures the performance of either biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies. The fund charges 19 bps in fees.Simplify Health Care ETF PINKRegeneron: 5.79% of the fund’s weightSanofi: 5.55% of the fund’s weightThis actively-managed ETF seeks long term capital appreciation by providing investors with multi-cap exposure to groundbreaking and innovative companies in biotech, medtech, gene therapy, and other fast growing health care related sectors. The fund charges 50 bps in fees.iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB)Regeneron: 7.57% of the fund’s weightThe underlying ICE Biotechnology Index contains securities of NASDAQ listed companies that are classified as either biotechnology or pharmaceuticals. The fund charges 44 bps in fees.VanEck Biotech ETF BBHRegeneron: 6.19% of the fund’s weightThe underlying MVIS US Listed Biotech 25 Index tracks the overall performance of companies involved in the development and production, marketing and sales of drugs based on genetic analysis and diagnostic equipment. The fund charges 35 bps in fees. Want key ETF info delivered straight to your inbox? Zacks’ free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, each week.Get it free >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN): Free Stock Analysis Report Sanofi (SNY): Free Stock Analysis Report iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB): ETF Research Reports VanEck Biotech ETF (BBH): ETF Research Reports Invesco Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBBQ): ETF Research Reports Simplify Health Care ETF (PINK): ETF Research ReportsTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»

These services by Quest Diagnostics (DGX) are available to recipients and living donors across the United States (excluding Alaska and Hawaii), broadening access for both donor and patient. Quest Diagnostics DGX recently demonstrated a broad suite of advanced diagnostics and support services. These will be useful in broadening access to laboratory tests for transplanting solid organ, human cells and tissue.Quest Advanced Specialized Transplant Services currently comprises one of the most comprehensive transplant testing portfolios available in the market. It features a broad menu of more than 170 specialized transplant and infectious disease tests.Additionally, it provides longitudinal trends analysis of test results in the physician's electronic medical record (EMR). Also, it has round-the-clock support services that include medical consultation to ensure appropriate test selection and results interpretation affecting care.More on the NewsThe services are available to recipients and living donors across the United States (excluding Alaska and Hawaii), broadening access for both donors and patients.During traditional organ transplantation procedures, living donors and recipients commonly face the issue of absence of any specialized pre- and post-testing and results reporting in their local community. With the latest development, Quest Diagnostics is putting efforts to address those limitations.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchAccording to Quest Diagnostics, these specialized services, featuring Anywhere-Access in the United States, include personalized patient access to the company’s national network of 2,100 patient service centers and 5,000 mobile and at-home phlebotomists to support patient-compliant pre- and post-transplant testing and nationwide access, regardless of surgical center location.Market ProspectGoing by data provided by Quest Diagnostics, in 2021 alone, over 6,500 transplants were performed from living donors. This was an increase of 14.2% over 2020. According to the company, medical advances and less restrictive medical guidelines have now allowed more individuals, including those diagnosed with hepatitis C or HIV, to act as living donors (for transplant recipients already infected).In such a scenario, DGX’s latest development is well-timed.Quest Diagnostics' Focus on High Growth AvenueQuest Diagnostics continued to ramp investments in advanced diagnostics capabilities. During the last-reported fourth quarter of 2022, the company launched a solid tumor expanded panel as a laboratory-developed test. This test extends the company’s capabilities beyond tissue pathology to offer a faster turnaround time from cancer diagnosis to therapy selection. Throughout 2022, Quest Diagnostics continued to make investments to strengthen the bio-informatics capabilities that support some of the faster-growing opportunities of the portfolio, like genomic sequencing services, prenatal and hereditary genetic testing and pharma services. The company also invested in the women’s health sales force, which will position it well for continued strong growth in prenatal genetics.Further, in 2022, the company launched its new digital platform — QuestHealth.com. Following the launch of the new consumer site, the company began ramping up marketing spend through the fourth quarter.Share PriceIn the past year, Quest Diagnostics has outperformed its industry. The stock has dipped 5.4% against an 22.7% decline of the industry.Zacks Rank and Key PicksQuest Diagnostics carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).Some better-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are Hologic, Inc. HOLX, Henry Schein, Inc. HSIC and Avanos Medical, Inc. AVNS.Hologic, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present, has an estimated long-term growth rate of 15.2%. HOLX’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all the trailing four quarters, the average beat being 30.6%.You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Hologic has gained 1.7% against the industry’s 17.5% growth in the past year.Henry Schein, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, has an estimated long-term growth rate of 8.1%. HSIC’s earnings surpassed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and matched the same in the other, the average beat being 2.9%.Henry Schein has lost 12.4% compared with the industry’s 10.9% decline over the past year.Avanos, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, has an estimated growth rate of 1.8% for 2023. AVNS’ earnings surpassed estimates in all the trailing four quarters, the average beat being 11%.Avanos has lost 13.7% compared with the industry’s 17.5% decline over the past year. Is THIS the Ultimate New Clean Energy Source? (4 Ways to Profit) The world is increasingly focused on eliminating fossil fuels and ramping up use of renewable, clean energy sources. Hydrogen fuel cells, powered by the most abundant substance in the universe, could provide an unlimited amount of ultra-clean energy for multiple industries.  Our urgent special report reveals 4 hydrogen stocks primed for big gains - plus our other top clean energy stocks.  See Stocks NowWant the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX): Free Stock Analysis Report Hologic, Inc. (HOLX): Free Stock Analysis Report Henry Schein, Inc. (HSIC): Free Stock Analysis Report AVANOS MEDICAL, INC. (AVNS): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»

Whenever the 'Oracle of Omaha' suddenly puts billions of dollars to work, it usually signals major opportunities for value investors. Tracey highlights three reasons why Buffett is buying again and how you can capitalize moving forward. Is Warren Buffett feeling deja vu in 2023?In the 1960s, growth stocks staged a big rally, with 50 of the top growth companies in cutting edge industries, like technology and pharmaceuticals, becoming so popular they were called the “Nifty 50.”The Nifty 50 were considered “sure things” with investors willing to pay as high as 50x earnings to own the stocks under the belief that those innovative companies would keep growing at a fast pace forever.By 1969, Buffett found nothing of value to buy, so he dissolved his investing fund and moved to the sidelines.But the party finally ended in 1973, as the Arab Oil Embargo, a recession and the inflation that followed, rippled through the world’s global stock markets.When the sell-off was over, the Dow had fallen 45% in 2 years.Suddenly, there were many value stocks and Warren Buffett came back into the game, this time as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.In a now infamous 1974 interview with Forbes Magazine, Buffett could barely contain his giddiness.Forbes asked how he felt about the market opportunities after the big sell-off and he replied, “Like an oversexed guy in a harem. This is the time to start investing.”Buffett Spends $51 Billion Diving Back In In the Forbes interview, Buffett talked about how 1974 reminded him of the early 1950s, when the Great Depression bear market finally ended and stocks were cheap.“Look, I can’t construct a disaster-proof portfolio. But if you’re only worried about corporate profits, panic or depression, these things don’t bother me at these prices,” he said in 1974.Sound familiar?Buffett has been mostly on the sidelines since 2012, building a massive $144 billion cash position in Berkshire Hathaway. His last mega-deal was when he spent $26 billion to buy Burlington Northern railroad in 2009. He famously didn’t even buy any new stocks in the March 2020 coronavirus crash.But suddenly, in 2022, with stocks off their highs by double digits, Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway deployed over $51 billion of the cash hoard into energy stocks.Energy was the best performing sector in 2021 and 2022, but, in another similarity to the 1970s, it was also one of the top performers of that decade.Continued . . .------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------See ALL Zacks’ Long-Term Picks for Only $1Confidently navigate today’s market with Zacks’ private investment recommendations. These picks are based on the system that has more than doubled the market since 1988 (including bear markets) and which pointed investors to an average of 3.5 double- and triple-digit winners per month last year.Starting today, for one month, you can follow these exclusive portfolios in real time from the best stocks under $10, to Warren Buffett-style value plays, and to high-paying dividend stocks. For a total cost of $1. No gimmicks.See Stocks Now >>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3 Reasons Buffett is Buying Again Buffett may have been giddy over the buying opportunities in stocks in 1974, but it turned out that the rest of the decade was a golden era for value investors, too.There are 3 reasons why he’s buying again:1) Value Stocks are Getting Cheaper After topping out above 21 in 2021, the S&P 500 is now trading at 17.2x. That’s still well above the single digit P/Es of the late 1970s, which is why so many strategists think that stocks may have further to fall.But forward earnings for some individual industries have plunged into the single digits. For example, Chevron is in the Oil and Gas - Integrated industry. That industry is trading with a forward P/E of just 5.4, which is well-below the S&P 500.Similarly, energy stocks, which Buffett is buying again in 2023, are trading well below the average of the S&P 500 in both price-to-book and price-to-sales. The Integrated oil companies have an average P/B ratio of 1.3 compared to the S&P 500 at 4.8. Its P/S ratio averages 0.7, whereas the S&P 500 is at 2.4x.2) Dividend Yields are RisingAlong with cheap valuations usually comes rising dividend yields. Not just 2% or 3%, but yields over 5%. The dividend aristocrats, those companies that have raised their dividend payouts for over 20 years, get cheaper than ever in a stock market sell-off, so not only are they raising their dividend, but the yield rises as the stock gets cheaper.It was easy to get juicy dividends in the 1970s as those valuations dropped. And once again, Berkshire Hathaway is swimming in the dividend cash. Chevron, for example, is currently paying a 4% yield.With 162.9 million shares, Berkshire Hathaway is on track to get dividend checks just from Chevron alone totaling $984.4 million this year. Not too shabby.3) Dollar Cost Averaging Works In Berkshire Hathaway’s 1978 letter to shareholders, Warren Buffett discussed their strategy of adding to their stock positions in their insurance portfolio as the bear market continued to rage on.“We are not concerned with whether the market quickly revalues upward securities that we believe are selling at bargain prices. In fact, we prefer just the opposite since, in most years, we expect to have funds available to be net buyers of securities,” Buffett wrote.Dollar cost averaging works in value stock bulls because the Street is always late to the party in value stocks, leaving valuations to remain depressed for some time. It’s easy to add to your position and still get in at an attractive price.Buffett was dollar cost averaging in 2022 and is doing so again in 2023.In 2022, Berkshire added to its position in Occidental Petroleum throughout the summer, but stopped buying in Sep 2022. However, Occidental shares have fallen nearly 9% in the last 6 months and have gotten cheap again.In early March 2023, Berkshire bought another $350 million and again, as the energy stocks fell further, it bought another $466 million the following week.Buffett Gets Out the 1970s Playbook Buffett, and Berkshire Hathaway are already mimicking the strategy of the 1970s.Berkshire has started deploying its cash hoard into cheap companies that have record free cash flows, such as Chevron and Occidental Petroleum.If value stocks continue to weaken, Berkshire will likely dollar cost average into what it considers to be the most attractive companies. It has already upped its stake in Occidental to 23.1% of the company this year. Occidental has a forward P/E of just 9.5.While the overall stock market lagged until 1981, the top value managers, like Buffett and Fidelity’s Peter Lynch, became investing legends as value investing saw great success.There will be new investing legends created in this decade’s value stock rally as well.Are you ready to take advantage of the value stock opportunities like Buffett is?Finding Today’s Top Value Buys The Oracle of Omaha has raked in hundreds of billions of dollars over the years. He makes his biggest moves in market conditions like the one we’re in right now. The fact that he’s buying so aggressively now is a powerful signal.There's no shortage of "marked down" stocks with rock-solid fundamentals these days. Investors who get into great stocks at today's prices are positioning themselves for spectacular gains over the longer-term. Warren Buffett clearly believes this is the case.But which are the best stocks to buy right now?Today, I'm offering you a chance to see which stocks we believe have the most promising upside for the months and years ahead. In Zacks Investor Collection, you get unrestricted access to all the real-time buys and sells from our long-term portfolios for just $1, including:• Value Investor, focus on Buffett-style selections and strategy• Income Investor, with solid stocks paying healthy dividends• Stocks Under $10, which is scooping up low-priced stocks poised to surge higher• Plus, ETF Investor, Home Run Investor, Zacks Confidential and Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2023.Last year alone, these private long-term investing services closed 42 double- and triple-digit wins, climbing as much as +348.7%.¹ This year could be even more profitable, especially for investors who buy at today’s low entry points.You'll also get access to Zacks Premium with powerful research, tools and analysis, including the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research Reports, Zacks Earnings ESP Filter, Premium Screener and more.When you look into Zacks Investor Collection, you're invited to download our Special Report, Invest Like Warren Buffett. It reveals 3 principles Buffett used to build his wealth, plus 5 surprising stocks that fit his criteria right now.This unique arrangement enables you to find quality stocks at prices we believe Warren Buffett would approve of - and extra resources to help find your own winners.Don't miss out. This opportunity will end on Sunday, March 26.Start Zacks Investor Collection and see our Invest Like Warren Buffett report >>Good Investing,Tracey RyniecStock Strategist Tracey Ryniec is editor in charge of Insider Trader and Value Investor portfolios.¹ The results listed above are not (or may not be) representative of the performance of all selections made by Zacks Investment Research's newsletter editors and may represent the partial close of a position.  Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»

How Fauci's Wife Used NIH Position To Backstop Her Husband’s Pandemic Health Directives Authored by Adam Andrzejewski via OpenTheBooks, It's the Washington, D.C. power couple that cost taxpayers nearly $1 million per year. While Dr. Anthony Fauci gave the nation its pandemic public policy prescriptions, his wife, Dr. Christine Grady, the Chief Bioethicist at Fauci’s employer, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) provided the moral framework. The Faucis are important to the center-left, because they represent the pinnacle moment of the administrative state – top-down public policy run by an elite group of government scientists. Conversely, to the center-right, the Faucis represent “the fatal conceit of the elites.” As Noble Laureate economist Friedrich Hayek theorized, the elites are no match for billions of free people acting in their own best interests. MEET THE FAUCIS While Tony Fauci was the top paid federal bureaucrat and out-earned the U.S. President at $480,654 per year, Christine Grady, as the chief bioethicist at NIH out-earned the U.S. Vice President ($243,749). When adding 35-percent in benefits, the couple cost taxpayers an estimated nearly $1 million per year. CHART: Tracking the Fauci household net worth which increased from $7.6 million to $12.6 million between the start of 2020 and the end of 2021. Source: OpenTheBooks.com lawsuit production from NIH on Fauci’s financial disclosures. It’s difficult to know where Anthony Fauci ends and Christine Grady begins. Here’s how Tony Fauci described Grady’s influence on his public policy decisions: “I've benefited greatly from this partnership of overlapping interest and common interest. So, a lot of the things that I do with regard to the development of vaccines, the development of therapies, being involved with outbreaks and pandemics, have ethical overtones to them. I can say that I am very blessed to be living with someone who is very likely, most people think, one of the most outstanding ethicists in the world. To have her in the house -- you know, as a consultant on ethical issues—is pretty advantageous.” So, the Faucis lived a conflict of interest at the breakfast table, the office, and back home around the dinner table. However, NIH has never acknowledged this. In fact, NIH forced our organization to file two federal lawsuits with the public-interest law firm Judicial Watch as our lawyers to finally bring transparency to the Fauci/Grady job descriptions, conflict of interest documents, financial and ethics disclosures, contracts, and other documents. Then, NIH slow-walked thousands of pages of production. Yet, no nepotism waivers were produced, no acknowledgement of conflicting interests, and no records documenting violations of federal ethics policy. Slide developed by Dr. Anthony S. Fauci and presented by Dr. Christine Grady during her NIH presentation COVID Vaccines: Approaches to Vaccine Trial Design November 4 2020. Many of the prescriptions on this slide showed little efficacy in after-action studies. Source: FOIA While Grady’s work during the pandemic was described as “invaluable” by then-NIH director Francis Collins, the general public knows little about her day-to-day responsibilities.  An open records request for Grady’s job description reveals she, too, is meant to use her position to influence policy. Screenshot from Christine Grady’s job description, received. Source: FOIA Advocating Lockdowns Dr. Fauci knew that his “draconian policies” on social isolation and economic lockdowns would have “collateral negative consequences,” and admitted Christine Grady was a driving force behind his hardline approach. In a November 2021 interview with the couple, Fauci said that he gained strength from his wife’s support saying, “background and her experience in really core ethical principles [helped] me to really feel much more comfortable in what I was saying.” In the interview, Christine Grady described how she mind-mapped national policy with her husband: "But we've had conversations about the sort of consequences of telling people to stay home and what it would do for the economy. And there were a lot of people in those days that, and still who said, it's ruining the economy. It's much more important to just keep things going and not worry about transmitting virus…I said, that one of the messages should be, how many lives are you willing to sacrifice? And that message would be pretty stark and pretty brutal, but that's really what the trade-off was…And so we've had that kind of conversation over dinner more than once, actually.” Fauci replied that these conversations “sharpened [his] resolve” to move forward with lockdown policies. Social isolation was one of the individual sacrifices Grady and Fauci thought were necessary to make on behalf of “public health.” Vaccine Development & Public Safety Like her husband, Grady exclusively focused her attention and remarks on vaccine development rather than other potential ways to treat and combat the spread of COVID-19. One major paper she co-authored in 2020 advocated for vaccines to be distributed under emergency use authorization (EUA), which is how the federal government ultimately proceeded. In this paper, Grady’s advocacy for vaccines came with a troubling acknowledgement:  “even with mandated safety monitoring after EUA distribution, it would be difficult or impossible to ascertain vaccine-induced adverse events.” However, during most of her public presentations, she asserted that vaccines were developed in a fast, but “safe and rigorous” manner. Just one of many examples can be found here. By November 2021, she said the risk of unknown long-term effects were “not zero” but that “there is a balance between benefiting the public health now versus waiting for all the information we might get.” Despite these admissions, Grady often said she was “disturbed” by vaccine hesitancy, implying that safety concerns were somehow unreasonable. Vaccine Mandates Grady’s stance on vaccine mandates changed radically throughout the pandemic. In June 2020, a presentation she gave suggested “immunity passports” could cause “discrimination without much overall gain.” A passport system would allow businesses to limit or deny access to those who remained unvaccinated. Six months later, in January 2021, Grady said, “I do believe that healthcare providers, like everyone else, should have the choice” whether to take the vaccine or not. But by early October 2021, Grady had decided the choice facing health care workers was a drastically different one: whether to get the vaccine or lose their jobs. Later that month, she also flipped her position on vaccine passports. What once was a potential source of discrimination was recast as a way to access “social benefits” like restaurants and movie theaters. It’s a disturbing way to describe Americans free association of movement.    Grady went on to co-author a March 2022 report approving of social ostracization for the vaccine-hesitant and encouraging employers to pressure their workers: “While some employers might understandably feel hesitant to pressure employees to get vaccinated, our analysis suggests that it is often ethically acceptable to inform, encourage, strongly encourage, incentivize, and subtly pressure unvaccinated people to benefit them, the organization, and other employees.” In fewer than two years, Grady had completely altered her assessment of vaccine mandates and widespread restrictions on the behavior of unvaccinated Americans. Gone were concerns about discrimination and freedom of choice. As Dr. Fauci pushed and pressured the public to get vaccinated for the sake of their neighbors and family members, Grady began considering it ethical to fire workers who did not comply. Likewise, it became a “social benefit” to get a vaccine passport that would allow people to avoid government restrictions on their free movements. Screenshot of Tweet – Dr. Fauci and Dr. Grady maskless at the Washington National baseball game in summer 2020 after Fauci threw out the first pitch. Mask Mandates While her husband advocated masking and double masking—even when “fully vaccinated”—Dr. Grady consistently backed his position. In July 2020, during an InStyle interview, Grady answered questions about masking: Interviewer: Let me ask you, Chris, as a bioethicist, what do you make of this moment we're in, when even a mask has become more of a divisive issue? Grady: Well, I would say that masks shouldn't be divisive. It's a relatively easy way to protect one's self and others. And so for public health reasons, I think everybody should do it. From an ethical perspective there is always this tension between what you ask people to do that feels like a restriction of their liberty and what is required for public health. And in this case, it seems like a slam dunk. It's not restricting liberty much, and it's very helpful for public health. Grady was consistent and in November 2021 spoke to the ethical balancing test of public safety versus individual freedom and never viewed mask wearing to be much of an infringement on individual rights: “There's a classic tension between public health, and individual interests and freedoms. Where there seems to be this conflict to the things that we do to protect the public health, and to protect the population for the common good. Sometimes they are perceived to be, and sometimes they do in small ways, infringe on people's freedoms. There are principles of public health ethics that help you sort out the kinds of interventions that we should use: Things that are effective, that are proportional, where the benefits outweigh the risks that are necessary, that are least infringement possible, that are transparent, that we can publicly justify. …What's striking to me is that, the kinds of burdens that we've asked people to undertake, like putting on a mask, don't really infringe on one's freedoms very much. They're low burden and they have an effect. They do protect the person who's wearing the mask, as well as the people that are around them.” A recent credible study on mask wearing during the pandemic argued there is no clear impact of masking on Covid-19 infection rates. Patients Dying in Isolation During the pandemic, Grady revealed a default preference for government control over individual rights and responsibilities. Grady was an early proponent of one of the most heinous pandemic polices: patients dying in isolation. For example, while uncritically accepting dying in isolation as a fact of the pandemic, Grady’s primary solution was to expand funding for health care workers to have access to therapy and other resources to heal from their “moral distress.” As early as April 2020 Grady said:   “Because of visiting policies and fear of contagion sometimes when somebody is really sick their family cannot visit them, they can't see them…the stress and the sadness and the isolation on families is and is going to be great.”  In a November 2020 NIH presentation she called these “lonely” deaths “understandable:”   "It’s a lonely kind of death, many institutions, understandably have visitor policies which either restrict the number of visitors to one or zero so sometimes people are dying without having their family nearby and that puts an additional burden on the healthcare staff.”  In one co-authored paper urging healthcare workers to “temper these potentially dehumanizing scenarios with imaginative solutions that do not sacrifice compassion and equal respect on the altars of safety and efficiency.”  She interrogates the tension between individual freedom and community safety in a book published April 26, 2022, as a co-author proposing a radical “solidarity model” for ethics in healthcare, stating that rather than emphasizing a respect for individuals to make decisions in their own interest:   “We should recognize that there are times when solidarity takes precedence over individual liberties, and broadening our concept of “respect for persons” means uniting as a profession to protect all those who expect to receive care from nurses in whatever healthcare setting they find themselves.”  She co-edited a section in the same book arguing this extends to dying in insolation:  “The solidarity model may apply to restricted family visitation, which generated moral distress for nurses, particularly when patients died without loved ones present…” CONCLUSION – GRADY AND THE NEXT PANDEMIC As demonstrated by her own words, Grady’s record evinces an understanding of ethics that begs fundamental moral questions, regularly subordinates individuals beneath an amorphous “public health,” and relies on subtle but unacknowledged shifts to retain an alleged moral high ground. While some of her observations early in the pandemic did show an interest in providing nuance to policymaking—questioning the usefulness of immunity passports and highlighting issues with long-term vaccine effects under a EUA rollout—this quickly gave way to conformity to broader political zeitgeist, painting pushback as ignorant, uncaring, and simply wrong. By 2021 her public statements never suggested a limit to sacrifices the individual should ethically make on behalf of “public health,” from masking, to taking vaccines, to foregoing family gatherings even at the point of one’s own death. Both Fauci and Grady made clear that they wish for ethicists like Grady to have more power and more influence over political decision-making. As Grady remains the chief NIH bioethicist, Americans should ponder: does Grady’s philosophy advance what is “fair” and “just” in public health policy? What does her continued leadership mean for the future of American policy. Taxpayers compensate Grady generously, and they’re owed full transparency about her role, responsibilities and influence – during the pandemic and into the future. Note: We reached out to Dr. Christine Grady and NIH for comment. While acknowledging our requests, no statement or comment was received before publication. ADDITIONAL READING Dr. Anthony Fauci: The Highest Paid Employee In The Entire U.S. Federal Government Published January 21, 2021 | Forbes Dr. Anthony Fauci’s Little Known Biodefense Work. It’s How He Became The Highest Paid Federal Employee. Published October 20, 2021 | Forbes No, Fauci’s Records Aren’t Available. Why Won’t NIH Immediately Release Them? Published January 12, 2022 | Forbes Breaking: Fauci’s Net Worth Soared To $12.6 Million During The Pandemic – Up $5 Million (2019-2021). Published September 28, 2022 | OpenTheBooks.Substack.com HISTORIC RELEASE: Dr. Anthony Fauci’s Official Work Calendar (November 2019 – March 2020) | Published October 20, 2022 | OpenTheBooks.Substack.com ABOUT US OpenTheBooks.com – We believe transparency is transformational. Using forensic auditing and open records, we hold government accountable. In the years 2021 and 2022, we filed 100,000+ FOIA requests and successfully captured $19 trillion government expenditures: nearly all federal spending; 50 state checkbooks; and 25 million public employee salary and pension records from 50,000 public bodies across America. Our works have been featured at the BBC, Good Morning America, ABC World News Tonight, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, C-SPAN, Chicago Tribune, The New York Times, NBC News, FOX News, Forbes, National Public Radio (NPR), Sinclair Broadcast Group, & many others. Our organization accepts no government funding and was founded by CEO Adam Andrzejewski. Our federal oversight work was cited twice in the President's Budget To Congress FY2021. Andrzejewski's presentation, The Depth of the Swamp, at the Hillsdale College National Leadership Seminar 2020 in Naples, Florida posted on YouTube received 3.8+ million views. Tyler Durden Wed, 03/22/2023 - 21:00.....»»

How Two Conflicting COVID Stories Shattered Society Authored by Gabrielle Bauer via The Brownstone Institute, The story went like this: There is a virus going around and it’s a bad one. It’s killing people indiscriminately and will kill many more. We must fight it with everything we’ve got. Closing businesses, closing schools, canceling all public events, staying home…whatever it takes, for as long as it takes. It’s a scientific problem with a scientific solution. We can do this! There was another story simmering under the first one. It went like this: There is a virus going around. It’s nasty and unpredictable, but not a show stopper. We need to take action, but nothing so drastic as shutting down society or hiding out for years on end. Also: the virus is not going away. Let’s do our very best to protect those at higher risk. Sound good? [Editor: this is an excerpt from Blindsight Is 2020, by Gabrielle Bauer, now available from Brownstone.] The first story traveled far and wide in a very short time. People blasted it on the nightly news and shouted it to each other on Twitter. They pronounced it the right story, the righteous story, the true story. The second story traveled mainly underground. Those who aired it in public were told to shut up and follow the science. If they brought up the harms of closing down society, they were reminded that the soldiers in the World War 1 trenches had it much worse. If they objected to placing a disproportionate burden on children and youth, they were accused of not caring about old people. If they breathed a word about civil liberties, they were told that freedumbs had no place in a pandemic. The first story was a war story: an invisible enemy had invaded our land and we had to pour all our resources into defeating it. Everything else—social life, economic life, spiritual life, happiness, human rights, all that jazz—could come later. The second story was an ecological story: a virus had entered and recalibrated our ecosystem. It looked like we couldn’t make it go away, so we had to find a way to live with it while preserving the social fabric. The two stories continued to unfold in tandem, the gulf between them widening with each passing month. Beneath all the arguments about the science lay a fundamental difference in worldview, a divergent vision of the type of world needed to steer humanity through a pandemic: A world of alarm or equanimity? A world with more central authority or more personal choice? A world that keeps fighting to the bitter end or flexes with a force of nature? This book is about the people who told the second story, the people driven to explore the question: Might there be a less drastic and destructive way to deal with all this?  As a health and medical writer for the past 28 years, I have a basic familiarity with infectious disease science and an abiding interest in learning more. But my primary interest, as a journalist and a human taking my turn on the planet, lies in the social and psychological side of the pandemic—the forces that led the first story to take over and drove the second story underground. Many smart people have told the second story: epidemiologists, public health experts, doctors, psychologists, cognitive scientists, historians, novelists, mathematicians, lawyers, comedians, and musicians. While they didn’t always agree on the fine points, they all took issue with the world’s single-minded focus on stamping out a virus and the hastily conceived means to this end. I have selected 46 of these people to help bring the lockdown-skeptical perspective to life. Some of them are world famous. Others have a lower profile, but their fresh and powerful insights give them pride of place on my list. They lit up my own way as I stumbled through the lockdowns and the byzantine set of rules that followed, bewildered at what the world had become. I see them as the true experts on the pandemic. They looked beyond the science and into the beating human heart. They looked at the lockdown policies holistically, considering not only the shape of the curve but the state of the world’s mental and spiritual health. Recognizing that a pandemic gives us only bad choices, they asked the tough questions about balancing priorities and harms. Questions like these: Should the precautionary principle guide pandemic management? If so, for how long? Does the aim of stopping a virus supersede all other considerations? What is the common good, and who gets to define it? Where do human rights begin and end in a pandemic? When does government action become overreach? An article in the Financial Times puts it this way: “Is it wise or fair to impose radical limits on the freedom of all with no apparent limits in sight?”  Now that three years have gone by, we understand that this virus doesn’t bend to our will. Serious studies (detailed in subsequent chapters) have called the benefits of the Covid policies into question while confirming their harms. We’ve entered the fifty shades of moral grey. We have the opportunity—and the obligation—to reflect on the world’s choice to run with the first story, despite the havoc it wreaked on society.  I think of the parallel Covid stories as the two sides on a long-playing vinyl album (which tells you something about my age). Side A is the first story, the one with all the flashy tunes. Side B, the second story, has the quirky, rule-bending tracks that nobody wants to play at parties. Side B contains some angry songs, even rude ones. No surprise there: when everyone keeps telling you to shut up, you can’t be blamed for losing patience. Had team A acknowledged the downsides of locking up the world and the difficulty of finding the right balance, team B might have felt a tad less resentful. Instead, the decision makers and their supporters ignored the skeptics’ early warnings and mocked their concerns, thereby fueling the very backlash they had hoped to avoid. Side A has been dominating the airwaves for three years now, its bellicose tunes etched into our brains. We lost the war anyway and there’s a big mess to clean up. Side B surveys the damage. Many books about Covid proceed in chronological order, from the lockdowns and vaccine rollout through the Delta and Omicron waves, offering analysis and insight at each stage. This book takes a different approach, with a structure informed by people and themes, rather than events. Each chapter showcases one or more thought leaders converging on a specific theme, such as fear, freedom, social contagion, medical ethics, and institutional overreach. There’s oncologist and public health expert Vinay Prasad, who explains why science—even very good science—cannot be “followed.” Psychology professor Mattias Desmet describes the societal forces that led to Covid groupthink. Jennifer Sey, whose principles cost her a CEO position and a million dollars, calls out the mistreatment of children in the name of Covid. Lionel Shriver, the salty novelist of We Need To Talk About Kevin fame, reminds us why freedom matters, even in a pandemic. Zuby, my personal candidate for world’s most eloquent rapper, calls out the hubris and harms of zero-risk culture in his pithy tweets. These and the other luminaries featured in the book help us understand the forces that shaped the dominant narrative and the places where it lost the plot. Along with the featured 46, I’ve drawn from the writings of numerous other Covid commentators whose sharp observations cut through the noise. Even so, my list is far from exhaustive. In the interest of balancing perspectives from various disciplines, I’ve left out dozens of people I admire and no doubt hundreds more I don’t know about. My choices simply reflect the aims of the book and the serendipitous events that placed some important dissenting thinkers in my path.  To maintain the book’s focus I’ve stepped away from a few subplots, notably the origin of the virus, early treatments, and vaccine side effects. These topics merit separate analyses by subject matter experts, so I respectfully cede the territory to them. And what they find under the hood, while obviously important, doesn’t alter the core arguments in this book. I also steer clear of speculations that the lockdown policies were part of a premeditated social experiment, being disinclined to attribute to malice what human folly can readily explain (which is not to say that malfeasance didn’t occur along the way). In case it needs to be said, the book does not discount the human toll of the virus or the grief of people who lost loved ones to the disease. It simply argues that the path chosen, the Side A path, violated the social contract underpinning liberal democracies and came at an unacceptably high cost. If there’s a central theme running through the book, it’s exactly this. Even if lockdowns delayed the spread, at what cost? Even if closing schools made a dent in transmission, at what cost? Even if mandates increased compliance, at what cost? In this sense, the book is more about philosophy and human psychology than about science—about the trade-offs that must be considered during a crisis, but were swept aside with Covid.  The book also calls out the presumption that lockdown skeptics “don’t take the virus seriously” or “don’t care.” This notion infused the narrative from the get-go, leading to some curious logical leaps. In the spring of 2020, when I shared my concerns about lockdowns with an old friend, the next words out of her mouth were: “So you think Covid is a hoax?” Some two years later, a colleague gave me a thumbs-up for hosting a woman from war-torn Ukraine, but not without adding that “I didn’t expect it from a lockdown skeptic.” (I give her points for honesty, if nothing else.) You can take the virus seriously and oppose lockdowns. You can respect public health and decry the suspension of fundamental civil liberties during a pandemic. You can believe in saving lives and in safeguarding the things that make life worth living. You can care about today’s older people and feel strongly about putting children first. It’s not this or that, but this and that. The pandemic is both a collective story and a collection of individual stories. You have your story and I have mine. My own story began in the Brazilian city of Florianópolis, known to locals as Floripa. I lived there for five months in 2018 and returned two years later to reconnect with the gaggle of friends I had made there. (It’s ridiculously easy to make friends in Brazil, even if you’re over 60 and have varicose veins.) March was the perfect month to visit the island city, signaling the end of the summer rains and the retreat of the tourist invasion. I had a tight schedule: Basílico restaurant with Vinício on Monday, Daniela beach with Fabiana on Tuesday, group hike along the Naufragados trail on Wednesday, just about every day of the month packed with beaches and trails and people, people, people.  Within three days of my arrival, Brazil declared a state of emergency and Floripa began folding in on itself. One after the other, my favorite hangouts closed up: Café Cultura, with its expansive sofas and full-length windows, Gato Mamado, my go-to place for feijão, Etiquetta Off, where I indulged my sartorial cravings… Beaches, parks, schools, all fell like dominoes, the world’s most social people now cut off from each other. My friend Tereza, who had introduced me to ayahuasca two years earlier, offered to put me up in her house for the next month, amid her rabbits and dogs and assorted Buddhist and vegan lodgers. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted. But Prime Minister Trudeau and my husband were urging me to come home, and as much as I loved Brazil I couldn’t risk getting stranded there. I hopped on a plane to São Paulo, where I spent 48 hours awaiting the next available flight to Toronto. When I finally got home and flung open the front door, Drew greeted me with his right arm stretched out in front of him, his hand facing me like a stop sign. “Sorry we can’t hug,” he said, fear traveling across his face. He pointed to the stairs to the basement. “See you in two weeks.”  There wasn’t much natural light in the basement, but I did have my computer, which kept me abreast of the memes of the moment. Stay home, save lives. We’re all in this together. Don’t be a Covidiot. Keep your social distance. The old normal is gone. It felt alien and graceless and “off” to me, though I couldn’t yet put my finger on why. Ignoring my misgivings, I slapped a “stay home, save lives” banner on my Facebook page, right under my cover photo. A few hours later I took it down, unable to pretend my heart was in this. Every once in a while I would go upstairs to get something to eat and find Drew washing fruits and vegetables, one by one. Lysol on the kitchen counter, Lysol in the hallway, paper towels everywhere. “Six feet,” he would mumble as he scrubbed. The fourteen days of quarantine came and went, and I rejoined Drew at the dining table. On the face of it, the restrictions didn’t change my life much. I continued to work from home, as I had done for the past 25 years, writing health articles, patient information materials, medical newsletters, and white papers. All my clients wanted materials on Covid—Covid and diabetes, Covid and arthritis, Covid and mental health—so business was brisk. Even so, the new culture forming around the virus troubled me mightily: the pedestrians leaping away if another human passed by, the taped-up park benches, the shaming, the snitching, the panic… My heart ached for the young people, including my own son and daughter in their dreary studio apartments, suddenly barred from the extracurricular activities and gigs that made university life tolerable for them. People said it was all part of the social contract, what we had to do to protect each other. But if we understand the social contract to include engaging with society, the new rules were also breaking the contract in profound ways. Stay safe, stay safe, people muttered to each other, like the “praise be” in The Handmaid’s Tale. Two weeks of this strange new world, even two months, I could countenance. But two months were turning into the end of the year. Or maybe the year after that. As long as it takes. Really? No cost-benefit analysis? No discussion of alternative strategies? No regard for outcomes beyond the containment of a virus?  People told me to adapt, but I already knew how to do that. Job loss, financial downturn, illness in the family—like most people, I put one foot in front of the other and powered through. The missing ingredient here was acquiescence, not adaptability. I connected with an old-school psychiatrist who believed in conversation more than prescriptions, and scheduled a string of online sessions with him. I called him Dr. Zoom, though he was more of a philosopher than a medical man. Our shared quest to understand my despair took us through Plato and Foucault, deontology and utilitarianism, the trolley problem and the overcrowded lifeboat dilemma. (Thanks, Canadian taxpayers. I mean that sincerely.)  And then, slowly, I found my tribe: scientists and public health experts and philosophy professors and lay people with a shared conviction that the world had lost its mind. Thousands and thousands of them, all over the planet. Some of them lived right in my city. I arranged a meetup, which grew into a 100-strong group we called “Questioning Lockdowns in Toronto,” or Q-LIT. We met in parks, on restaurant patios, at the beach, and between meetings stayed connected through a WhatsApp chat that never slept. Zoom therapy has its place, but there’s nothing more healing than learning you’re not alone. To those who have traveled a similar path, I hope this book provides that same sense of affirmation. But I’ve also written it for the Side A people, for those who sincerely upheld the narrative and despaired at the skeptics. Wherever you fall along the spectrum of viewpoints, I invite you to read the book with a curious mind. If nothing else, you’ll meet some interesting and original thinkers. And if their voices help you understand Side B, even a little, we all win. Tyler Durden Sun, 01/29/2023 - 19:30.....»»

Intercept (ICPT) gains 12% in the last six months on Ocaliva's positive performance and encouraging pipeline progress. Shares of Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ICPT gained 12.4% in the last six months compared with the industry’s growth of 0.3%. Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchInvestors are upbeat on the performance of lead drug Ocaliva and the company’s recent pipeline progress. Last month, Intercept announced the resubmission of its new drug application (NDA) to the FDA for obeticholic acid (OCA) for the treatment of patients with pre-cirrhotic liver fibrosis due to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). OCA is approved under the brand name Ocaliva for treating primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) in combination with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in adults with an inadequate response to UDCA alone or as a monotherapy for adults intolerant to UDCA.The company is also evaluating OCA for the potential treatment of NASH.In June 2020, Intercept received a complete response letter (“CRL”) from the FDA stating that its new drug application (NDA) for OCA for the treatment of liver fibrosis due to NASH could not be approved in its present form. The CRL indicated that the FDA has determined that the predicted benefit of OCA, based on a surrogate histopathologic endpoint, remains uncertain and does not sufficiently outweigh the potential risks to support accelerated approval for the treatment of patients with liver fibrosis due to NASH. This analysis was based on the data reviewed by the agency. The FDA then recommended that Intercept submit additional post-interim analysis efficacy and safety data from the ongoing REGENERATE study in support of potential accelerated approval and that the long-term outcomes phase of the trial should continue.The resubmission is supported by two positive interim 18-month analyses from the phase III REGENERATE study in patients with pre-cirrhotic liver fibrosis due to NASH. In both REGENERATE analyses, treatment with OCA 25 mg demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in liver fibrosis by at least 1 stage without worsening of NASH—an improvement that was more pronounced in individuals with more advanced disease at baseline. Other measures of liver disease, including blood levels of liver enzymes and noninvasive measures of liver stiffness, demonstrated dose-dependent improvements after 18 and 48 months of therapy. Further, a detailed analysis of the largest safety database in NASH demonstrated a monitorable and manageable safety and tolerability profile that supports the potential chronic administration of OCA.The company anticipates that the FDA will classify this application as a Class 2 resubmission with a PDUFA target review time of 6 months.The successful development of OCA for NASH will give a significant boost to Intercept.Meanwhile, concurrent with the third-quarter earnings release, the company earlier raised its sales guidance for its lead drug, Ocaliva. ICPT now expects net sales between $340 million and $350 million compared with the previous guidance of $325 million to $345 million. Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Price and Consensus   Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. QuoteWhile the NASH market promises potential with no approved therapies yet, it is challenging.Quite a few players are trying their hand at successfully developing a treatment for the same condition.Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. MDGL skyrocketed significantly on Dec 19 after the company announced positive top line results from the phase III MAESTRO-NASH biopsy clinical trial of resmetirom, a liver-directed selective thyroid hormone receptor agonist. The study achieved both liver histological improvement endpoints as proposed by the FDA, which is likely to predict clinical benefit for supporting accelerated approval of resmetirom to treat NASH with liver fibrosis. Madrigal intends to file an NDA seeking accelerated approval of resmetirom for treating non-cirrhotic NASH with liver fibrosis.Earlier this month, Chemomab Therapeutics, Ltd. CMMB announced that its mid-stage study evaluating CM-101 in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients was successful. The trial met its primary endpoint of safety and tolerability, and CM-101 achieved reductions in secondary endpoints that include a range of liver fibrosis biomarkers and physiologic assessments measured at baseline and at week 20. Shares of Chemomab gained on the same.Intercept currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rack (Strong Buy) stocks here. Just Released: Free Report Reveals Little-Known Strategies to Help Profit from the  $30 Trillion Metaverse Boom It's undeniable. The metaverse is gaining steam every day. Just follow the money. Google. Microsoft. Adobe. Nike. Facebook even rebranded itself as Meta because Mark Zuckerberg believes the metaverse is the next iteration of the internet. The inevitable result? Many investors will get rich as the metaverse evolves. What do they know that you don't? They’re aware of the companies best poised to grow as the metaverse does. And in a new FREE report, Zacks is revealing those stocks to you. This week, you can download, The Metaverse - What is it? And How to Profit with These 5 Pioneering Stocks. It reveals specific stocks set to skyrocket as this emerging technology develops and expands. Don't miss your chance to access it for free with no obligation.>>Show me how I could profit from the metaverse!Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ICPT): Free Stock Analysis Report Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (MDGL): Free Stock Analysis Report Chemomab Therapeutics Ltd. Sponsored ADR (CMMB): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research.....»»

2022 Greatest Hits: The Most Popular Articles Of The Past Year And A Look Ahead One year ago, when looking at the 20 most popular stories of 2021, we said that the year would be a very tough act to follow as "the sheer breadth of narratives, stories, surprises, plot twists and unexpected developments" made 2021 the most memorable year yet in our brief history, and that it would be an extremely tough act to follow. And yet despite the exceedingly high bar for 2022, not only did the year not disappoint but between the constant news barrage, the regime shifts, narrative volatility, market rollercoasters, oh and the world being on the verge of a nuclear Armageddon for much of the year, the past year was the most action, excitement, and news (including fake news)-packed yet. Where does one even start? While covid - which was the story of 2020 - finally faded away from the front page and the constant barrage of fearmongering coverage (with recent revelations courtesy of Elon Musk's "Twitter Files" showing just how extensively said newsflow was crafted, orchestrated and -y es - censored by the government, while a sudden U-turn by China in its Covid Zero policy prompting a top Chinese research to admit that the "fatality rate from the omicron variant of the virus is in line with the flu"), and the story of 2021 was the scourge of soaring inflation (which contrary to macrotourist predictions that it would prove "transitory" just kept rising, and rising, and rising, until it hit levels not seen since the Volcker galloping inflation days of the 1980s)... ... then the big market story of 2022 was the coordinated central bank crusade to put the inflation genie back into the bottle and to contain soaring prices (which were no longer transitory, especially after Putin launched his "special military operation" in Ukraine which we will discuss shortly)... ... even if it meant crushing the housing market... ... sparking a global recession, or as Goldman calls it a "broad-based but necessary slowdown in global growth"... ... and leaving millions out of work (the BLS still pretends hundreds of thousands of workers are being added to payrolls even though as we all know - as does the Philadelphia Fed - that is a lie, and the real employment number has not changed since March)... ... not to mention triggering the worst bear market in both stocks and bonds since the global financial crisis. Yes, less than a year after the S&P hit a record just above 4800 in January of this year, both global stock and bond markets have cratered, and in a profound shock to an entire generation of "traders" who have never lived through a hiking cycle and rising inflation, for the first time since 2008 no central banks are riding to the market's rescue. Meanwhile, with a drop of more than 20% in 2022 translating into a record $18 trillion wipeout, the MSCI All-Country World Index is on track for its worst performance since the 2008 crisis, amid the Fed's relentless rate hiking campaign. Add bond market losses - because in 2022 everything was sold - and you get a staggering $36 trillion in value vaporized, which in absolute terms is nearly double the damage from the Lehman failure and the global financial crisis. None of this should come as a surprise: the staggering liquidity injections that started in 2020, continued throughout 2021 and extended into the first half of 2022 before gently reversing as QT finally returned; the final tally is that after $3 trillion in emergency liquidity injections in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic to "stabilize the world", the Fed injected another $2 trillion in the subsequent period, most of which in 2021, a year where economists were "puzzled" why inflation was soaring (this, of course, excludes the tens of trillions of monetary stimulus injected by other central banks as well as the boundless fiscal stimulus that was greenlighted with the launch of helicopter money). And then, when a modest $500 billion in Fed balance sheet liquidity was withdrawn... everything crashed. This reminds us of something we said two years ago: "it's almost as if the world's richest asset owners requested the covid pandemic." Well, last year we got confirmation for this rhetorical statement, when we calculated that in the 18 months after the covid pandemic hit, the richest 1% of US society saw their net worth increase by over $30 trillion, which in turn officially made the US into a banana republic where the middle 60% of US households by income - a measure economists use as a definition of the middle class - saw their combined assets drop from 26.7% to 26.6% of national wealth, the lowest in Federal Reserve data, while for the first time the super rich had a bigger share, at 27%. Yes, for the first time ever, the 1% owned more wealth than the entire US middle class, a definition traditionally reserve for kleptocracies and despotic African banana republics. But as the Fed finally ended QE and started draining its balance sheet in 2022, the party ended with a thud, and this tremendous wealth accumulation by the top 1% went into reverse: indeed, just the 500 richest billionaires saw their fortunes collapse by $1.4 trillion with names such as Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Masa Son and Larry Page and Sergey Brin all losing more than a third (in some cases much more) of their net worth. This also reminds us of something else we said a year ago: "this continued can-kicking by the establishment - all of which was made possible by the covid pandemic and lockdowns which served as an all too convenient scapegoat for the unprecedented response that served to propel risk assets (and fiat alternatives such as gold and bitcoin) to all time highs - has come with a price... and an increasingly higher price in fact. As even Bank of America CIO Michael Hartnett admits, Fed's response to the the pandemic "worsened inequality" as the value of financial assets - Wall Street -  relative to economy - Main Street - hit all-time high of 6.3x." In other words, for all its faults, 2022 was a year in which inequality finally reversed - if only a little - and as Michael Hartnett said in one of his final Flow Shows, "Main St finally outperformed Wall St significantly in 2022" as the value of financial assets relative to the economy slumped from 6.3x to 5.4x. Sadly, we doubt that this will cheer anyone up - be it workers - who have seen their real, inflation-adjusted earnings decline for a record 20 consecutive months (or virtually all of Joe BIden's presidency)... ... or investors who have seen crushing losses across all industries, with the exception of the one sector we have been pounding-the-table-on bullish on since the summer of 2020: energy (with our favorite stock, Exxon, blowing away the competition with its nearly triple digit return YTD). There is some good news for jittery bulls looking ahead at 2023: statistics show that two consecutive down years are rare for major equity markets — the S&P 500 index has fallen for two straight years on just four occasions since 1928, and they usually marked market crashes or social cataclysms -  the Great Depression, World War II, the 1970s oil crisis and the bursting of the dot-com bubble. The scary thing though, is that when they do occur, drops in the second year tend to be deeper than in the first. And with Joe Biden at the helm, betting on a second great depression may be prudent. Even if that sounds hyperbolic, when it comes to markets the big question for 2023 is simple: have markets bottomed or is there much more room to fall, in other words, are we facing a hard or soft landing. And speaking of Joe Biden at the helm, another glaring risk factor for 2023 is - of course- nuclear war. Because while the great inflation fight and Biden bear market were the defining features of 2022 from an economic and capital markets standpoint, the biggest event in terms of geopolitical and social importance was the war between Russia and Ukraine. While one could write - pardon the pun - the modern day equivalent of "war and peace" on the causes behind the war in Ukraine, for the sake of brevity we will merely note that a conflict that had been simmering for years if not decades... ... finally got its proverbial spark in February when - encouraged by NATO to join the military alliance in an act that Russia had repeatedly warned would be casus belli against Ukraine - Putin ordered a "special military operation" against Ukraine, sending Russian troops to invade the country because, as he subsequently explained, "if Russia did not do this now, it itself would be invaded by neighboring NATO countries a few years later." And speaking of what else Putin said in the lead up to the Ukraine war, the following snapshots reveal much of the Russian leader's thinking about the biggest geopolitical conflict since World War II. And while the geopolitical implications of the war are staggering and long-reaching, the single most important consequence to the world, and especially Europe, is the threat of persistent energy shortages over the coming years as Russian energy output has been sanctioned and curtailed for the foreseeable future... ... in the process sending energy prices in Europe and elsewhere soaring, and pushing inflation sharply higher. Which is especially ironic, because the same central banks we showed above that are hiking rates like crazy in hopes of containing inflation are doing precisely nothing to address the elephant in the room, namely that inflation is not demand-driven (which the Fed can control by adjusting the price of money) but entirely on the supply-side. And since the Fed can't print oil or gas, all that central banks are doing is executing Vladimir Putin's indirect bidding and pushing the world into a global recession if not all out depression as they hope to crush enough energy demand to lower prices in a world where energy supply is also much lower. What they forget is that this will lead to tens of millions of unemployed people, and while that is not a major issue yet, something tells us that the coming mass layoffs - both in the US and around the globe - and not just in tech but across all industries, will be the story of 2023. One final thing worth mentioning in the context of the Ukraine war is what it means strategically for the future of the world, and here we would argue that some of the best analysis belong to former NY Fed repo guru, Zoltan Pozsar whose periodic dispatches throughout 2022 (all of which are available to professional subscribers), and whose year-end report on the fate of Bretton Woods III, the petrodollar, the petroyuan and petrogold, are all must-read for anyone who hopes to be ahead of the curve in today's rapidly changing world. Away from Inflation and the Ukraine war, the next most important topic in the past year, were the revelations from the Twitter Files, exposed by the social medial company's new owner, Elon Musk, who paid $44 billion so that the world can finally see first hand just how little free speech there really is in the so-called land of the free and the home of the First Amendment, and how countless three-lettered, deep-state alphabet agencies - and the military-industrial complex - will do anything and everything to control both the official discourse and the unofficial narrative to keep their preferred puppets in the White House, and keep those they disapprove of - censored and/or locked up, both literally and metaphorically... or simply designate them "conspiracy theorists." None other than Matt Taibbi wrote the best summary of what the Twitter Files revealed, namely America's stealthy conversion into a crypto-fascist state where some unelected government bureaucrat tells corporations what to do: This last week saw the FBI describe Lee Fang, Michael Shellenberger and me as “conspiracy theorists” whose “sole aim” is to discredit the agency. That statement will look ironic soon, as we spent much of this week learning about other agencies and organizations that can now also be discredited thanks to these files. A group of us spent the last weeks reading thousands of documents. For me a lot of that time was spent learning how Twitter functioned, specifically its relationships with government. How weird is modern-day America? Not long ago, CIA veterans tell me, the information above the “tearline” of a U.S. government intelligence cable would include the station of origin and any other CIA offices copied on the report. I spent much of today looking at exactly similar documents, seemingly written by the same people, except the “offices” copied at the top of their reports weren’t other agency stations, but Twitter’s Silicon Valley colleagues: Apple, Facebook, Microsoft, LinkedIn, even Wikipedia. It turns out these are the new principal intelligence outposts of the American empire. A subplot is these companies seem not to have had much choice in being made key parts of a global surveillance and information control apparatus, although evidence suggests their Quislingian executives were mostly all thrilled to be absorbed. Details on those “Other Government Agencies” soon, probably tomorrow. One happy-ish thought at month’s end: Sometime in the last decade, many people — I was one — began to feel robbed of their sense of normalcy by something we couldn’t define. Increasingly glued to our phones, we saw that the version of the world that was spat out at us from them seemed distorted. The public’s reactions to various news events seemed off-kilter, being either way too intense, not intense enough, or simply unbelievable. You’d read that seemingly everyone in the world was in agreement that a certain thing was true, except it seemed ridiculous to you, which put you in an awkward place with friends, family, others. Should you say something? Are you the crazy one? I can’t have been the only person to have struggled psychologically during this time. This is why these Twitter files have been such a balm. This is the reality they stole from us! It’s repulsive, horrifying, and dystopian, a gruesome history of a world run by anti-people, but I’ll take it any day over the vile and insulting facsimile of truth they’ve been selling. Personally, once I saw that these lurid files could be used as a road map back to something like reality — I wasn’t sure until this week — I relaxed for the first time in probably seven or eight years. Well said Matt, and we say this as one of the first media outlets that was dubbed "conspiracy theorists" by the authorities, long before everyone else joined the club. Oh yes, we've been there: we were suspended for half a year on Twitter for telling the truth about Covid, and then we lost most of our advertisers after the Atlantic Council's weaponized "fact-checkers" put us on every ad agency's black list while anonymous CIA sources at the AP slandered us for being "Kremlin puppets" - which reminds us: for those with the means, desire and willingness to support us, please do so by becoming a premium member: we are now almost entirely reader-funded so your financial assistance will be instrumental to ensure our continued survival into 2023 and beyond. The bottom line, at least for us, is that the past three years have been a stark lesson in how quickly an ad-funded business can disintegrate in this world which resembles the dystopia of 1984 more and more each day, and we have since taken measures. Two years ago, we launched a paid version of our website, which is entirely ad and moderation free, and offers readers a variety of premium content. It wasn't our intention to make this transformation but unfortunately we know which way the wind is blowing and it is only a matter of time before the gatekeepers of online ad spending block us for good. As such, if we are to have any hope in continuing it will come directly from you, our readers. We will keep the free website running for as long as possible, but we are certain that it is only a matter of time before the hammer falls as the censorship bandwagon rolls out much more aggressively in the coming year. Meanwhile, for all those lamenting the relentless coverage of politics in a financial blog, why finance appears to have taken a secondary role, and why the political "narrative" has taken a dominant role for financial analysts, the past three years showed conclusively why that is the case: in a world where markets gyrated, and "rotated" from value stocks to growth and vice versa, purely on speculation of how big the next stimulus out of Washington will be, now that any future big stimulus plans are off the table until at least 2024 thanks to a divided Congress, and the Fed is still planning on hiking until it finally crushing inflation, we would like to remind readers of one of our favorite charts: every financial crisis is the result of Fed tightening, and something always breaks. Which brings us to the simplest forecast about the coming year: 2023 will be the year when something finally breaks. As for more nuanced predictions about the future, as the past three years so vividly showed, when it comes to actual surprises and all true "black swans", it won't be what anyone had expected. And so while many themes, both in the political and financial realm, did get some accelerated closure, dramatic changes in 2022 persisted and new sources of global shocks emerged, and will continue to manifest themselves in often violent and unexpected ways - from the ongoing record polarization in the US political arena, to "populist" upheavals around the developed world, to the gradual transition to a global Universal Basic (i.e., socialized) Income regime, to China deciding that the US is finally weak enough and the time has come to invade Taiwan. As always, we thank all of our readers for making this website - which has never seen one dollar of outside funding (and despite amusing recurring allegations, has certainly never seen a ruble from either Putin or the KGB either, sorry CIA) and has never spent one dollar on marketing - a small (or not so small) part of your daily routine. Which also brings us to another critical topic: that of fake news, and something we - and others who do not comply with the established narrative - have been accused of. While we find the narrative of fake news laughable, after all every single article in this website is backed by facts and links to outside sources, it is clearly a dangerous development, and a very slippery slope that the entire developed world is pushing for what is, when stripped of fancy jargon, internet censorship under the guise of protecting the average person from "dangerous, fake information." It's also why we are preparing for the next onslaught against independent thought and why we had no choice but to roll out a premium version of this website. In addition to the other themes noted above, we expect the crackdown on free speech to only accelerate in the coming year - Elon Musk's Twitter Files revelations notwithstanding, especially as the following list of Top 20 articles for 2022 reveals, many of the most popular articles in the past year were precisely those which the conventional media would not touch with a ten foot pole, both out of fear of repercussions and because the MSM has now become a PR agency for either a political party or some unelected, deep state bureaucrat, which in turn allowed the alternative media to continue to flourish in an information vacuum (in less than a decade, Elon Musk's $44 billion purchase of Twitter will seem like one of the century's biggest bargains) and take significant market share from the established outlets by covering topics which established media outlets refuse to do, in the process earning itself the derogatory "fake news" condemnation. We are grateful that our readers - who hit a new record high in 2022 - have realized that it is incumbent upon them to decide what is, and isn't "fake news." * * * And so, before we get into the details of what has now become an annual tradition for the last day of the year, those who wish to jog down memory lane, can refresh our most popular articles for every year during our no longer that brief, almost 14-year existence, starting with 2009 and continuing with 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. So without further ado, here are the articles that you, our readers, found to be the most engaging, interesting and popular based on the number of hits, during the past year. In 20th spot with just over 510,000 views, was one of the seminal market strategy reports of 2022 by the man who has become the most prescient and accurate voice on Wall Street, former NY Fed repo guru Zoltan Pozsar, whose periodic pieces previewing the post-war world - one where Bretton Woods III makes a stunning comeback, where the petrodollar dies, and is replaced by the Petroyuan - have become must-read staple fare for Wall Street professionals. In "Wall Street Stunned By Zoltan Pozsar's Latest Prediction Of What Comes Next", Zoltan offered his first post-Ukraine war glimpse of the coming "Bretton Woods III" world, "a new monetary order centered around commodity-based currencies in the East that will likely weaken the Eurodollar system and also contribute to inflationary forces in the West." Subsequent events, including the growing proximity of Russia, China and various other non-G7 nations, coupled with stubborn inflation, have gone a long way to proving Zoltan's thesis. The only thing that's missing is the overhaul of the world reserve currency. In 19th spot, some 526,000 learned that amid the relentless crackdown against free speech by a regime which Elon Musk's Twitter Files have definitively revealed is borderline fascist (as in real fascism, not that clownish farce which antifa thugs pretend to crusade against) Zero Hedge was among the first websites to be targeted by the CIA when that deep state mouthpiece, the Associated Press, said that "intelligence officials accused a conservative financial news website [Zero Hedge] with a significant American readership of amplifying Kremlin propaganda." As we explained in "Now We've Done It: We Pissed Off The CIA" - the 19th most viewed article of 2022 - we have done no such thing but as the AP also revealed, the real motive behind the hit piece is that "Zero Hedge has been sharply critical of Biden and posted stories about allegations of wrongdoing by his son Hunter." Of course, only a few weeks later we would learn that reports of wrongdoing by "his son Hunter" as unveiled in the infamously censored laptop story fiasco, were indeed accurate (despite dozens of "former intel officials" saying it is Russian disinfo) but since only "Kremlin propaganda" sites dare to attack Joe Biden while the MSM keeps deathly silent, nobody in the so-called "free press" bothered to mention it. Incidentally, since the CIA did a full background check on us and republishing some pro-Russian blogs was the best they could find, we are confident that  On the other hand, since being designated a pro-Russian operation meant that we have been blacklisted by most advertisers, we are increasingly reliant on you, dear readers (and not Vladimir Putin) for support, and we would be extremely grateful to everyone who can sign up for our premium product to support us into 2023 and onward. In 18th spot, and suitably right below our little tete-a-tete with the CIA, was the disclosure of a huge trove of corruption Hunter Biden's "laptop from hell." In April, with over 568,000 page views, readers learned that "450GB Of 'Deleted' Hunter Biden Laptop Material To Be Released Within Weeks." The ultimate result was the long overdue confirmation by the mainstream press (NYT and WaPo) that the Biden notebook was indeed real (again, despite dozens of "former intel officials" saying it is Russian disinfo) but since the state-corporatist apparatus had already achieved its goal, and suppressed and censored the original NYPost reporting just ahead of the 2020 presidential election and Biden had been elected president, few cared (just a few months later, thanks to Elon Musk and the Twitter files would we learn just how deep the censorship hole went, and that it involved not only the US government, the Democratic Party, the FBI, but also the biggest tech and media companies, all working together to censor anything that they found politically unpalatable). Yes, 2022 was also a midterm year, and with more than 617,000 views, was our snapshot of what happened on Nov 8 when in a carbon copy of 2020 it initially seemed like Republicans would sweep Congress as we described in the 17th most popular article of 2022, "Election Night Results: FL "Catastrophic" For Dems, Vance Takes OH, Fetterman Tops Oz"... but it was not meant to be and as the mail-in votes crawled in days and weeks later, the GOP lead not only fizzled (despite a jarring loss among Florida Hispanics), but in the end Democrats kept the Senate. Ultimately the result was anticlimatic, and with Congress divided for the next two years, governance will be secondary to what the Fed will do, which in our humble view, will be the big story of 2023. For all the political, market and central bank trials and tribulations of 2022, one could make the argument that the biggest story of the past year was Elon Musk's whimsical takeover of twitter, which started off amicably enough as laid out in the 16th most popular article of 2022 (with more than 627,000 page views) "Buffett Says "Musk Is Winning...It's America" As TWTR Board Ponders Poison Pill", then turned ugly and hostile, transitioned into a case of buyer's remorse with Musk suing to back out of the deal only to find out he can't, and culminated with the release of the shocking Twitter Files, Musk's stunning expose of the dirt and secrets of how the world's most popular news outlet had effectively become a subsidiary not only of the Democratic party but also of the FBI, CIA and various other deep state alphabet agencies, validating once again countless "conspiracy theories" and confirming once and for all that any outlet that still dares to oppose the official party line is the biggest enemy of the deep state. And speaking of the deep state, we had a glaring reminder in September why one should be very careful when crossing the US secret police FBI when pro-Trump celeb pillow entrepreneur Mike Lindell was intercepted by the Feds during a hunting trip and had his cell phone seized as described in "FBI Tracks Down Mike Lindell On Hunting Trip, Surrounds His Car And Seizes Cell Phone". That this happened to one of the most vocal critics of the 2020 election just two months before the midterms, was surely a coincidence, as over 625,000 readers obviously concluded. 2022 was not a good year for markets, and certainly wasn't good for retail investors whose torrid gains from the meme stock mania of 2021 melted down almost as fast as the Fed hiked rates (very fast). But not everyone was a loser, and one story stood out: that of 20-year-old student Jake Freeman (who together with his uncle) bought up a substantial, 6.2% stake in soon-to-be-broke retailer Bed Bath and Beyond, and piggybacking on the antics of one Ryan Cohen, quietly cashed out after making a massive $110 million by piggybacking on one of the most vicious short/gamma squeezes in recent history. The "Surreal Story Of A 20-Year-Old Student Who Acquired 6% Of Bed Bath & Beyond, And Made $110 Million In 3 Weeks" was the 14th most read article of 2022. The 13th most read story of 2022 with over 668,000 reads was the bizarre interlude involving superstar-trader and outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband, Paul, and his bizarre attack by a "right wing" progressive as described in "Paul Pelosi Undergoing Brain Surgery Following 'Brutal' Attack; Suspect Identified." While authorities have struggled to craft a narrative that the attacker, nudist transient David Depape of Berkeley, was a pro-Trumper and the attack was politically motivated, the evidence has indicated that he suffered from serious mental illness and drug addiction and lacked any coherent political ideology; some have even claimed that there was a sexual relationship between him and Pelosi, a theory that could be easily disproven if only the police would release the bodycam footage from the moment of the arrest. Unfortunately, San Fran PD has vowed to keep it confidential. Depape's trial is set to be 2023's business, so expect more fireworks. 2022 was also a year in which Europeans realized how brutally expensive electricity can be when the biggest commodity, nat gas and oil supplier to Europe, Russia, is suddenly cut off. And judging by the 668,500 people who read "How In The Name Of God": Shocked Europeans Post Astronomical Energy Bills As 'Terrifying Winter' Approaches" and made it into the 12th most popular article of the year, the staggering number were also news to our audience: indeed, the fact that Geraldine Dolan, who owns the Poppyfields cafe in Athlone, Ireland, and was charged nearly €10,000 for just over two months of energy usage, was shocking to everyone. To be sure, there were countless other such stories out of Europe and with the Russia-Ukraine war unlikely to end any time soon, Europe's commodity hyperinflation will only continue. Adding insult to injury, Europe is on a fast track to a brutal recession, but the ECB remains stuck in tightening mode, perhaps because it somehow believes that higher rates will ease energy supplies. Alas that won't happen and instead the big question for 2023 will be whether Europe is merely hit with a recession or if instead the ECB's actions escalates the local malaise into a full-blown depression. Earlier we said that one of the most prophetic voices on Wall Street in 2022 (and prior) was that of Zoltan Pozsar, who laid out his theory of a Bretton Woods III regime in the days immediately following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Well, just one month later we saw the first tentative steps toward just such a paradigm shift when in April the Russian central bank offered to buy gold from domestic commercial banks at a fixed price of 5000 rubles per gram; by doing so the Bank of Russia both linked the ruble to gold and, since gold trades in US dollars, set a floor price for the ruble in terms of the US dollar. We described this in "A Paradigm Shift Western Media Hasn't Grasped Yet" - Russian Ruble Relaunched, Linked To Gold & Commodities", an article red 670,000 times making it the 11th most popular of the year. This concept of "petrogold" was also the subject of extensive discussion by Pozsar who dedicated one of his most recent widely-read notes to the topic; if indeed we are witnessing the transition to a Bretton Woods 3 regime, 2023 will see a lot of fireworks in the monetary system as the dollar's reserve status is challenged by eastern commodity producers. The 10th most popular article of 2022, with 686K views was a reminder of just how much "the settled science" can change: as described in "You Murderous Hypocrites": Outrage Ensues After The Atlantic Suggests 'Amnesty' For Pandemic Authoritarians, many were shocked when after pushing for economy-crushing lockdowns, seeking to block children from going to school (and stunting their development), and even calling for the incarceration or worse of mask, vaccine and booster holdouts, the liberal left - realizing that it was completely wrong about everything to do with covid, a virus with a 99% survival rate - suddenly and politely was hoping to "declare a pandemic amnesty." Brown Professor Emily Oster - a huge lockdown proponent, who now pleads from mercy from the once-shunned - wrote "we need to forgive one another for what we did and said when we were in the dark about COVID. Let’s acknowledge that we made complicated choices in the face of deep uncertainty, and then try to work together to build back and move forward." The response from those who lost their small business, wealth, or worse, a family member (who died alone or from complications from the experimental gene therapy known as "vaccines" and "boosters") was clear and unanimous; as for those seeking preemptive pardons from the coming tribunals, their plea was clear: “We didn't know! We were just following orders."  And from one covid post we segue into another, only this time the focus is not on the disease but rather the consequences of mandatory vaccines: over 730K readers were shocked in February when a former finance professional discovered a surge in "excess mortality", or unexplained deaths among otherwise healthy young adults, yet not linked directly to covid (thus leaving vaccines as the possible cause of death), as we showed in "Long Funeral Homes, Short Life Insurers? Ex-Blackrock Fund Manager Discovers Disturbing Trends In Mortality." This wasn't the first time we had heart of a surge in excess mortality: a month earlier it was the CEO of insurance company OneAmerica to observe that the death rate for those aged 18-64 had soared by 40% over pre-pandemic levels (this was another post that received a lot of clicks). While the science is clearly not settled here - on either covid or the vaccines - the emerging trend is ominous: at this rate the excess deaths associated with covid (and its vaccines) will soon surpass the deaths directly linked to covid. And anyone who dares to bring this up will be branded a racist, a white supremacists, or a fascist, or all three. One of the defining features of 2022 was the record surge in the price of food. And while much of this inflation could be attributed to the trillions in helicopter money injected over the past three years, as well as the snarled supply chains due to the war in Ukraine, a mystery emerged when one after another US food processing plant mysteriously burned down. And with almost 800,000 page views, a majority of our readers wanted to know why "Another US Food Processing Plant Erupts In Flames", making it the 8th most read post of the year. While so far no crime has been alleged, the fact that over 100 "accidental fires" (as listed here) have taken place across America's food facilities since the start of 2021, impairing the US supply chain, remains one of the biggest mysteries of the year. While some will argue that runaway inflation was the event of 2022, we will counter that the defining moment was the war between Ukraine and Russia, which broke out in February after what the Kremlin said was a long-running NATO attempt to corner Russia (by pushing Ukraine to seek membership in the military alliance), forcing it to either launch an invasion now, or wait several years and be invaded by all the neighboring NATO countries. Still, many were shocked when Putin ultimately gave the order to launch the "special military operations", as most had Russia to merely posture. But it was not meant to be and nearly 840K readers followed the world-changing events on February 2 when "Putin Orders "Special Military Operation" In Ukraine's Breakaway Regions." The war continues to this day with no prospects of peace or even a ceasefire. And from one geopolitical hotspot we go to another, namely China and Taiwan, which many expect will be the next major military theater at some time in the near future when Beijing finally invades the "Republic of China" and officially brings it back into the fold. Thing here got extra hot in early August when Democrat Nancy Pelosi decided to make an unexpected trip to the semiconductor-heavy island, sparking an unprecedented diplomatic escalation, with many speculating that China could simply fire at Nancy's unsanctioned airplane. In the end, however, as nearly 950,000 found out, the situation fizzled as "China Summoned US Ambassador Overnight, Says Washington "Must Pay The Price"." Since then Pelosi's political career has officially ended, and while China has not yet invaded Taiwan, it is only a matter of time before it does. While Covid may have been a 2021 story, that was also the year when nobody was allowed to talk about the Chinese pandemic. Things changed in 2022 when liberal censorship finally crashed under its own weight, and long overdue discussions of Covid became mainstream. nowhere more so than on Twitter where Elon Musk fired all those responsible for silencing the debate over the past three years, and of course, the show of the always outspoken Joe Rogan, where mRNA inventor Robert Malone, gave a fascinating interview to Joe Rogan which aired on New Year's Eve 2022 and which took the world by storm in the first days of the new year. It certainly made over 908,000 readers click on "COVID, Ivermectin, And 'Mass Formation Psychosis': Dr. Robert Malone Gives Blistering Interview To Joe Rogan." The doctor, who had been suspended by both LInkedIn and Twitter, for the crime of promoting "vaccine hesitancy" argued that if the risks of vaccines are not discussed, informed consent is not possible. As Malone concluded "Informed consent is not only not happening, it's being actively blocked." Luckily, now that Elon Musk has made it possible to discuss covid - and so much more - on twitter without fears of immediate suspension, there is again hope that not only is informed consent once again possible, but that the wheels of true justice are starting to steamroll liberal censorship. A tragic and bizarre interlude took place in early July when "Former Japanese PM Abe Shot Dead During Speech, "Frustrated" Assassin Arrested", a shocking development which captured the attention of some 927,000 readers.  While some expected the assassination to be a Archduke Ferdinand moment, coming at a time of soaring inflation around the globe and potentially catalyzing grassroots anger at the ruling class, the episode remained isolated as it did not have political motives and instead the killer, Yamagami, said that he killed the former PM in relation to a grudge he held against the Unification Church, to which Abe and his family had political ties, over his mother's bankruptcy in 2002. That's the good news. The bad news is that with the fabric of society close to tearing across most developed nations, it is only a matter of time before we do get a real Archduke 2.0 moment. Just days after Rogan's interview with Malone (see above), another covid-linked "surprise" emerged when Projected Veritas leaked military documents hidden on a classified system showing how EcoHealth Alliance approached DARPA in March 2018, seeking funding to conduct illegal gain of function research of bat borne coronaviruses. But while US infatuation with creating viral bioweapons is hardly new (instead it merely outsourced it to biolabs in China), one of the discoveries revealed in "Ivermectin 'Works Throughout All Phases' Of COVID According To Leaked Military Documents" - the third most popular post of 2022 with 929K page views, is that the infamous "horse paste" Ivermectin was defined by Darpa as a "curative" which works throughout all phases of the illness because it both inhibits viral replication and modulates the immune response. Of course, had that been made public, it would have prevented Pfizer and Moderna from making tens of billions in revenue from selling mRNA-based therapies (not vaccines) whose potentially deadly side effects we are only now learning about (as the 9th most popular post of 2022 noted above confirms). The fake news apparatus was busy spinning in overtime this past year (and every other year), and not only when it comes to covid, inflation, unemployment, the recession, but also - or rather especially - the Ukraine fog of propaganda war. A striking example was the explosion of both pipelines connecting Russia to Europe, Nord Stream I and II, which quickly escalated into a fingerpointing exercise of accusations, with Europe blaming Putin for blowing up the pipelines (even though said pipelines exclusively benefit the Kremlin which spent billions building them in the recent past), while the Kremlin said it was the US' fault. This we learned in "EU Chief Calls Nord Stream Attack "Sabotage", Warns Of "Strongest Possible Response", which was also the 2nd most read article of the year with just over 1,050,000 page views. In the end, there was no "response" at all. Why? Because as it emerged just two months later in that most deep state of outlets, the Washington Post, "Evidence In Nord Stream Sabotage Doesn't Point To Russia." In other words, it points to the US, just as professor Jeffrey Sachs dared to suggest on Bloomberg, leading to shock and awe at the pro-Biden media outlet. The lesson here, inasmuch as there is one, is that the perpetrators of every false flag operation always emerge - it may take time, but the outcome is inevitable, and "shockingly", the culprit almost always is one particular nation... Finally, the most read article of 2022 with nearly 1.1 million page views, was "White House Says Russian Forces 20 Miles Outside Ukraine's Capital." It cemented that as least as far as ZH readers were concerned, the biggest event of the year was the war in Ukraine, an event which has set in motion forces which will redefine the layout of the world over the next century (and, if Zoltan Pozsar is right, will lead to the demise of the US dollar as a reserve currency and culminate with China surpassing the US as the world's biggest superpower). Incidentally, while Russian forces may have been 20 miles outside of Kiev, they were repelled and even though the war could have ended nearly a year ago and the world would have returned to some semblance of normalcy, it was not meant to be, and the war still goes on with little hope that it will end any time soon. And with all that behind us, and as we wave goodbye to another bizarre, exciting, surreal year, what lies in store for 2023, and the next decade? We don't know: as frequent and not so frequent readers are aware, we do not pretend to be able to predict the future and we don't try, despite repeat baseless allegations that we constantly predict the collapse of civilization: we leave the predicting to the "smartest people in the room" who year after year have been consistently wrong about everything, and never more so than in 2022 (when the entire world realized just how clueless the Fed had been when it called the most crushing and persistent inflation in two generations "transitory"), which destroyed the reputation of central banks, of economists, of conventional media and the professional "polling" and "strategist" class forever, not to mention all those "scientists" who made a mockery of both the scientific method and the "expert class" with their catastrophically bungled response to the covid pandemic. We merely observe, find what is unexpected, entertaining, amusing, surprising or grotesque in an increasingly bizarre, sad, and increasingly crazy world, and then just write about it. We do know, however, that with central banks now desperate to contain inflation and undo 13 years of central bank mistakes - after all it is the trillions and trillions in monetary stimulus, the helicopter money, the MMT, and the endless deficit funding by central banks that made the current runaway inflation possible, the current attempt to do something impossible and stuff 13 years of toothpaste back into the tube, will be a catastrophic failure. We are confident, however, that in the end it will be the very final backstoppers of the status quo regime, the central banking emperors of the New Normal, who will eventually be revealed as fully naked. When that happens and what happens after is anyone's guess. But, as we have promised - and delivered - every year for the past 14, we will be there to document every aspect of it. Finally, and as always, we wish all our readers the best of luck in 2023, with much success in trading and every other avenue of life. We bid farewell to 2022 with our traditional and unwavering year-end promise: Zero Hedge will be there each and every day - usually with a cynical smile (and with the CIA clearly on our ass now) - helping readers expose, unravel and comprehend the fallacy, fiction, fraud and farce that defines every aspect of our increasingly broken economic, political and financial system. Tyler Durden Sat, 12/31/2022 - 11:05.....»»

Immunogen (IMGN) announces preliminary data on its CADENZA study evaluating pivekimab in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm. ImmunoGen IMGN provided an update on its pivotal phase II CADENZA study, evaluating its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), pivekimab sunirine, in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer.The study primarily evaluated the efficacy of pivekimab in 20 front-line BPDCN patients, including de novo and patients with prior or concomitant hematologic malignancy (PCHM).The preliminary data showed significant activity and favorable tolerability in the de-novo patients and those with PCHM.ImmunoGen reported data from the first 10 patients of the study, including four de novo and six PCHM patients. Two out of the four de novo patients achieved complete response/ clinical complete response (CR/CRc), while four out of the six PCHM patients achieved a CR/CRc/complete response with partial hematologic recovery (CRh)However, following a type B meeting with the FDA, ImmunoGen is now updating the study to focus onefficacy analysis in just de novo BPDCN patients with the primary endpoint of CR/CRc. The study’s secondary endpoint is the duration for which the CR/CRc is maintained in the patients.The company will enroll 20 de novo patients for the efficacy analysis. To date, ImmunoGen has enrolled six de novo BPDCN patients in the CADENZA study.Given the rarity of the disease, the company expects complete results from the de novo patient study by 2024.ImmunoGen will also continue to enroll PCHM patients to evaluate the potential of pivekimab in this population. For the study on PCHM patients, achieving complete response with hematologic recovery (CRh), even though it is not the study’s primary endpoint, can also be an important clinical benefit.Shares of ImmunoGen have declined 21.7% in the year-to-date period compared with the industry’s fall of 24.3%.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchInvestors must note that ImmunoGen’s lead pipeline candidate mirvetuximab soravtansine is being developed as a single-agent therapy for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and in combination regimens for both platinum-resistant and platinum-sensitive diseases. The company’s biologics license application (“BLA”) for mirvetuximab soravtansine, filed in March 2022, was accepted by the FDA for priority review in May. A potential approval for the candidate is expected by Nov 28, 2022.ImmunoGen, Inc. Price  ImmunoGen, Inc. price | ImmunoGen, Inc. Quote Zacks Rank and Stocks to ConsiderImmunogen currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).Some better stocks in the same sector are Aerie Pharmaceuticals AERI, Catalyst Pharmaceuticals CPRX and Jazz Pharmaceuticals JAZZ, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.Aerie’s loss per share estimates for 2022 have narrowed from $2.01 to $1.83 in the past 30 days. The same for 2023 has narrowed from $1.19 to $1.01 in the same time frame.Earnings of Aerie missed estimates in two of the trailing four quarters and beat the same on the remaining two occasions. The average earnings surprise for AERI is 70.27%.Catalyst’s earnings per share estimates for 2022 have improved from 67 cents to 70 cents in the past 30 days. The same for 2023 has improved from 79 cents to 85 cents in the same time frame.Earnings of Catalyst missed estimates in two of the trailing four quarters, were in line in one and beat the same on the remaining occasion. The average negative earnings surprise for CPRX is 5.41%.Jazz’s earnings per share estimates for 2022 have improved from $17.06 to $17.35 in the past 30 days. The same for 2023 has increased from $18.15 to $18.63 in the same time frame.Earnings of Jazz beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed the same on the remaining occasion. The average earnings surprise for JAZZ is 10.94%. Zacks' Top Picks to Cash in on Electric Vehicles Big money has already been made in the Electric Vehicle (EV) industry. But, the EV revolution has not hit full throttle yet. There is a lot of money to be made as the next push for future technologies ramps up. Zacks’ Special Report reveals 5 picks investorsSee 5 EV Stocks With Extreme Upside Potential >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC (JAZZ): Free Stock Analysis Report ImmunoGen, Inc. (IMGN): Free Stock Analysis Report Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (CPRX): Free Stock Analysis Report Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AERI): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research.....»»

Below, we share with you three healthcare mutual funds, namely FPHAX, PRHSX and VGHCX. Each has earned a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1. Investors often rely on the healthcare sector to safeguard their investments. This is because healthcare services do not see their demand varying too much with respect to market conditions and thus offer sufficient protection to the capital invested. Many pharmaceutical companies also offer regular dividends. Companies that consistently pay out dividends are financially stable and generate steady cash flows, irrespective of market conditions. Mutual funds are perfect choice for investors looking to enter this sector since they possess the advantages of wide diversification and analytical insight.Below, we share with you three healthcare mutual funds, namely Fidelity Select Pharmaceuticals Portfolio FPHAX, T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Fund PRHSX and Vanguard Health Care Fund VGHCX. Each has earned a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and is expected to outperform its peers in the future. Investors can click here to see the complete list of funds.Fidelity Select Pharmaceuticals Portfolio invests most of its net assets in common stocks of foreign and domestic companies that are engaged in the research, development, manufacture, sale, or distribution of pharmaceuticals and drugs of all types. FPHAX invests in stocks based on fundamental analysis factors like the issuer's financial condition, industry position, as well as market and economic condition.Fidelity Select Pharmaceuticals Portfolio has three-year annualized returns of 13.7%. As of February 2022, FPHAX held 67 issues, with 13.91% of its assets invested in Eli Lilly & Co.T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Fund invests most of its assets along with borrowings, if any, in common stocks of companies engaged in the research, development, production, or distribution of products or services related to health care, medicine, or life sciences. PRHSX advisors invest preferably in large- and mid-capitalization companies.T. Rowe Price Health Sciences Fund has three-year annualized returns of 12.6%. PRHSX has an expense ratio of 0.75% compared with the category average of 1.03%.Vanguard Health Care Fund seeks to invest the majority of its net assets in common stocks of foreign and domestic companies that are engaged in the development, production, or distribution of products and services related to pharmaceutical and medical supply companies as well as businesses that operate hospitals and other health care facilities. VGHCX advisors may also invest in companies that are engaged in medical, diagnostic, biochemical, and other research and development activities.Vanguard Health Care Fund has three-year annualized returns of 12.0%. Jean M Hynes has been the fund manager of VGHCX since May 2008.To view the Zacks Rank and the past performance of all Healthcare mutual funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of healthcare mutual funds.Want key mutual fund info delivered straight to your inbox?Zacks’ free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing mutual funds, each week. Get it free >> Zacks' Top Picks to Cash in on Electric Vehicles Big money has already been made in the Electric Vehicle (EV) industry. But, the EV revolution has not hit full throttle yet. There is a lot of money to be made as the next push for future technologies ramps up. Zacks’ Special Report reveals 5 picks investorsSee 5 EV Stocks With Extreme Upside Potential >>View All Zacks #1 Ranked Mutual FundsWant the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Get Your Free (VGHCX): Fund Analysis Report Get Your Free (PRHSX): Fund Analysis Report Get Your Free (FPHAX): Fund Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research.....»»