6 Undervalued Pharmaceuticals Stocks for Friday, September 08

By Grace Malone
September 08, 2023
Diamond graphic indicating best value stocks in their industry
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Based on key financial metrics such as the price-to-sales ratio, shareholder yield and the price-earnings ratio, the following 6 stocks made the list for top value stocks in the Pharmaceuticals industry. Those looking for value stocks to add to their portfolio may want to use this list as a starting point for further investment research.

Latest Pharmaceuticals Stock News

Before choosing which top Pharmaceuticals stock to buy, be sure to conduct proper due diligence: analyze various financial metrics and look at historical data, public statements and news coverage.

The outlook for the Pharmaceuticals sub-industry is positive as the world returns to normalcy and demand for electives and improved medical utilization. COVID-19 therapies, oncology and immunology are essential aspects of pharmaceutical companies. Should COVID-19 variants continue to arise getting a COVID-19 vaccine could become a seasonal phenomenon, much like the flu vaccine. If that were to happen, it would prove to be very lucrative for pharmaceutical companies, as it would generate recurring sales. Recent FDA recommendations, such as approval for a fourth booster dose for those aged 50 or older, suggests we may be moving in this direction. Generic drug makers are expected to continue to struggle due to lower-cost emerging market competition. Despite this, policy risks are on the rise. Lowering drug prices continues to be a bipartisan issue as both parties aim to offer Americans more affordable prices. While this provides uncertainty in the long-term, it is unlikely that legislation will get passed in the near future due to more pressing issues in the political agenda. Year to date through June 3, the S&P Pharmaceuticals Index was up 1.5% vs. a 13.6% decline for the S&P Composite 1500 Index. In 2021, the S&P Pharmaceuticals Index returned a gain of 21.8%, vs. a gain of 26.7% for the S&P Composite 1500.

Why Focus on Undervalued Pharmaceuticals Stocks?

Value investors seek to buy stocks at a discount to their intrinsic value. Long-term returns show that such strategies are advantageous. Value stocks, as a group, tend to outperform growth stocks over extended periods of time. Typically, value investors perform financial analysis of numerous metrics, don’t follow the herd and are long-term investors.

AAII’s A+ Investor Value Grade is derived from a stock’s Value Score. The Value Score is the percentile rank of the average of the percentile ranks of the price-to-sales ratio, price-earnings ratio, enterprise-value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio, shareholder yield, price-to-book-value ratio and price-to-free-cash-flow ratio. The score is variable, meaning it can consider all six ratios or, should any of the six ratios not be valid, the remaining ratios that are valid. To be assigned a Value Score, stocks must have a valid (non-null) ratio and corresponding ranking for at least two of the six valuation ratios.

What Goes Into AAII’s Value Grade?

Stock evaluation requires access to huge amounts of data as well as the knowledge and time to sift through it all, make sense of financial ratios, read income statements and analyze recent stock movement. AAII created A+ Investor, a robust data suite that condenses data research in an actionable and customizable way suitable for investors of all knowledge levels, to help investors with that task.

AAII’s proprietary stock grades come with A+ Investor. These offer intuitive A–F grades for more than just value. It is possible for a stock to appear cheap based on one valuation metric but appear expensive on another. It is also possible for one valuation ratio to be associated with outperforming stocks during certain periods of time but not others. Some stocks may even have null values for certain metrics like the price-earnings ratio or the price-to-book ratio but not others. An example of this would be a company with losses instead of profits or a negative book value because of heavy borrowing. Negative earnings or book value result in non-meaningful ratios that are left blank or null.

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6 Undervalued Pharmaceuticals Stocks

Of course, there are countless value stocks that are worth mentioning, but this is a concise list of the top 6 undervalued stocks in the Pharmaceuticals industry for Friday, September 08, 2023. Let’s take a closer look at their individual scores to see how they measure up against each other and the Pharmaceuticals industry median.

Company Ticker Price/Sales Price/Earnings EV/EBITDA Shareholder Yield Price/Book Value Price/Free Cash Flow Value Grade
CASI Pharmaceuticals Inc CASI 0.65 na na 1.9% 0.89 na A
Nektar Therapeutics NKTR 1.28 na na (1.5%) 0.57 na B
Sunshine Biopharma Inc SBFM 0.70 na 0.8 (59.9%) 0.44 na B
China SXT Pharmaceuticals Inc SXTC 0.70 na 2.2 na 0.09 na A
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (ADR) TAK 1.71 23.5 9.6 5.8% 1.02 12.7 B
Viatris Inc VTRS 0.77 6.6 5.7 5.9% 0.58 7.8 A

The Value Grade is assigned based on how each stock’s composite valuation compares to all other stocks.

The process for assigning grades starts with each variable for a given stock. The percentile rankings for all valid ratios that a stock has are calculated. So, for instance, a stock could have a price-to-book ranking in the 43rd percentile, a price-earnings ranking in the 67th percentile, a price-to-sales ranking in the 23rd percentile, etc. Then, those rankings are averaged for each stock. (A minimum of two valid variables are required, though all six will be used if available.)

Once the average of the individual variables is calculated, that average is ranked against all stocks. Put another way, each stock’s composite valuation is compared to all other stocks. These ranks are then sorted into quintiles from the cheapest 20% (a grade of A) to the most expensive 20% (a grade of F).

As always, we recommend that you conduct proper due diligence and research before investing in any security. We also suggest that investors utilize numerous grades, not just value, when it comes to deciding whether a company is a good fit for their allocation needs.

CASI Pharmaceuticals Inc’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Metric Score CASI Industry Median
Price/Sales 25 0.65 2.56
Price/Earnings na na 18.6
EV/EBITDA na na 10.3
Shareholder Yield 34 1.9% (3.9%)
Price/Book Value 25 0.89 1.80
Price/Free Cash Flow na na 21.8

CASI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company. The Company is focused on developing and commercializing therapeutics and pharmaceutical products in China, the United States, and throughout the world. The Company is focused on acquiring, developing, and commercializing products that augment its hematology oncology therapeutic focus as well as other areas of unmet medical need. Its commercial product, EVOMELA, is an intravenous formulation of melphalan commercialized by Acrotech in the multiple myeloma treatment setting in the United States. Its pipeline products include CNCT19 (CD19 CAR-T), BI-1206 (anti- FcYRIIB antibody), CB-5339 (VCP/p97 inhibitor), CID-103 (Anti-CD38 Mab), Thiotepa, and Octreotide LAI. The Company?s Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved generic products for the China market include Entecavir tablets, Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) tablets, Cilostazol tablets-50mg, Cilostazol tablets-100mg, Ondansetron HCL tablets, and Tizanidine tablets.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

CASI Pharmaceuticals Inc has a Value Score of 86, which is considered to be undervalued.

When you look at CASI Pharmaceuticals Inc’s price-to-sales ratio at 0.65 compared to the industry median at 2.56, this company has a lower price relative to revenue compared to its peers. This could make CASI Pharmaceuticals Inc’s stock more attractive for value investors.

Shareholder yield is the sum of a stock’s dividend yield (paid over previous 12 months minus special dividends) and the percentage of net share buybacks over the previous 12 months. CASI Pharmaceuticals Inc’s shareholder yield is higher than its industry median ratio of (3.88%). Value investors may look for an attractive shareholder yield because it can be a powerful tool for identifying if the company has a good management team.

As one of the most common value metrics, the price-to-book ratio evaluates a company’s current market price relative to its book value. CASI Pharmaceuticals Inc’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its industry median ratio of 1.80. This could make CASI Pharmaceuticals Inc more attractive to investors looking for a new addition to their portfolio.

Nektar Therapeutics’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Metric Score NKTR Industry Median
Price/Sales 42 1.28 2.56
Price/Earnings na na 18.6
EV/EBITDA na na 10.3
Shareholder Yield 63 (1.5%) (3.9%)
Price/Book Value 12 0.57 1.80
Price/Free Cash Flow na na 21.8

Nektar Therapeutics is a clinical-stage, research-based drug discovery biopharmaceutical company. The Company is focused on discovering and developing medicines in the field of immunotherapy. The Company has a research and development pipeline of investigational medicines in oncology and immunology. In oncology, it is focused on developing medicines based on targeting biological pathways that stimulate and sustain the body?s immune response to fight cancer. Its pipeline NKTR-255 is an investigational biologic that is designed to target the interleukin-15 (IL-15) pathway in order to activate the body?s innate and adaptive immunity. Its Rezpegaldesleukin (REZPEG) pipeline is an investigational, potential first-in-class T regulatory cell stimulator that addresses this underlying immune system imbalance in people with many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. REZPEG is being developed as a self-administered injection for a number of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Nektar Therapeutics has a Value Score of 67, which is considered to be undervalued.

Nektar Therapeutics’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Nektar Therapeutics less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.80.

You can read more about Nektar Therapeutics’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

Sunshine Biopharma Inc’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Metric Score SBFM Industry Median
Price/Sales 26 0.70 2.56
Price/Earnings na na 18.6
EV/EBITDA 3 0.8 10.3
Shareholder Yield 94 (59.9%) (3.9%)
Price/Book Value 8 0.44 1.80
Price/Free Cash Flow na na 21.8

Sunshine Biopharma, Inc. is a Canada-based pharmaceutical company. The Company offers and researches life-saving medicines in a variety of therapeutic areas, including oncology and antivirals. The Company has 27 additional generic prescription drugs. In addition, the Company is engaged in the development of various proprietary drugs, including Adva-27a, K1.1 mRNA and SBFM-PL4. Adva-27a is a small chemotherapy molecule targeting pancreatic cancer. The K1.1 mRNA is developed for liver cancer. SBFM-PL4 is an anti-coronavirus compound. The Company operates through two segments: Prescription Generic Pharmaceuticals (Generic Pharmaceuticals) and Nonprescription Over-The-Counter Products (OTC Products). It also operates two wholly owned subsidiaries: NoraPharma Inc., which has a portfolio consisting of 50 generic prescription drugs on the market in Canada, and Sunshine Biopharma Canada Inc., which develops and sells non-prescription over-the-counter (OTC) products.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Sunshine Biopharma Inc has a Value Score of 78, which is considered to be undervalued.

Sunshine Biopharma Inc’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Sunshine Biopharma Inc less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.80.

You can read more about Sunshine Biopharma Inc’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

China SXT Pharmaceuticals Inc’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Metric Score SXTC Industry Median
Price/Sales 26 0.70 2.56
Price/Earnings na na 18.6
EV/EBITDA 6 2.2 10.3
Shareholder Yield na na (3.9%)
Price/Book Value 1 0.09 1.80
Price/Free Cash Flow na na 21.8

China SXT Pharmaceuticals Inc is a China-based pharmaceutical company that focuses on the research, development, manufacture, marketing and sales of Traditional Chinese Medicine Pieces (TCMP). The Company develops, manufactures and sells three types of TCMP products: advanced TCMP, fine TCMP and regular TCMP, and TCM Homologous Supplements (TCMHS) products. The Company sells its TCMP products under three brand names such as Suxuangtang, Hui Chun Tang and Tong Ren Tang. Most of its products are sold on a prescription basis across China.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

China SXT Pharmaceuticals Inc has a Value Score of 99, which is considered to be undervalued.

China SXT Pharmaceuticals Inc’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make China SXT Pharmaceuticals Inc less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.80.

You can read more about China SXT Pharmaceuticals Inc’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (ADR)’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Metric Score TAK Industry Median
Price/Sales 51 1.71 2.56
Price/Earnings 64 23.5 18.6
EV/EBITDA 48 9.6 10.3
Shareholder Yield 17 5.8% (3.9%)
Price/Book Value 31 1.02 1.80
Price/Free Cash Flow 42 12.7 21.8

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited is a Japan-based company mainly engaged in the pharmaceutical business. The Company is engaged in the research, development, manufacture and sale of pharmaceutical products, General medical products, quasi drugs and healthcare products in Japan and overseas. The Company's research and development functions are concentrated in four areas of oncology (cancer), digestive system diseases, rare diseases and neurology (neuropsychiatric diseases), as well as two business units of plasma fractionation products and vaccines. The Company is engaged in the improvement of pipelines at research and development centers located mainly in Japan and the United States.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (ADR) has a Value Score of 62, which is considered to be undervalued.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (ADR)’s price-earnings ratio is 23.5 compared to the industry median at 18.6. This means that it has a higher price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (ADR) less attractive for value investors.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (ADR)’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (ADR) less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.80.

You can read more about Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (ADR)’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

Viatris Inc’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Metric Score VTRS Industry Median
Price/Sales 29 0.77 2.56
Price/Earnings 14 6.6 18.6
EV/EBITDA 25 5.7 10.3
Shareholder Yield 16 5.9% (3.9%)
Price/Book Value 12 0.58 1.80
Price/Free Cash Flow 25 7.8 21.8

Viatris Inc. (Viatris) is a global healthcare company. The Company's segments include Developed Markets, Greater China, JANZ, and Emerging Markets. Its Developed Markets segment comprises its operations primarily in North America and Europe. The Greater China segment includes its operations in mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The JANZ segment consists of its operations in Japan, Australia and New Zealand. The Emerging Markets segment encompasses its presence in more than 125 countries with developing markets and emerging economies, as well as the Company?s ARV franchise. Its portfolio comprises over 1,400 approved molecules across a range of key therapeutic areas, including key brands and complex generics. It operates around 40 manufacturing sites worldwide, which produce oral solid doses, injectables, complex dosage forms and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Its products include Lyrica, Lipitor, Creon, Influvac, Wixela Inhub, EpiPen Auto Injector, Fraxiparine and Yupelri.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Viatris Inc has a Value Score of 95, which is considered to be undervalued.

Viatris Inc’s price-earnings ratio is 6.6 compared to the industry median at 18.6. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Viatris Inc more attractive for value investors.

Viatris Inc’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Viatris Inc less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.80.

You can read more about Viatris Inc’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

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Other Pharmaceuticals Stock Grades

Value is just one of the five Stock Grades included in our A+ Investor service. AAII members can see the top-graded stocks—those with grades of A or B for value, growth, momentum, earnings estimate revisions and quality—on the A+ Stock Grades Screener.

Also, if you want full access to all of AAII’s premium services, you can subscribe to one convenient bundled plan called AAII Platinum where you can try out A+ Investor, AAII Dividend Investing, the Stock Superstars Report, Growth Investing and VMQ Stocks. With the other premium services, you can dive deep into additional metrics, portfolios, commentary and information about Pharmaceuticals stocks as well as other industrys.

Choosing Which of the 6 Best Pharmaceuticals Stocks Is Right for You

Choosing which value stocks to invest in will ultimately depend on your individual goals and allocation; however, comparing similar value stocks in the same industry can help you analyze which might be better investments for you in the long run. So, let’s take a look at the Value Grade for all of our stocks.

  • CASI Pharmaceuticals Inc stock has a Value Grade of A.
  • Nektar Therapeutics stock has a Value Grade of B.
  • Sunshine Biopharma Inc stock has a Value Grade of B.
  • China SXT Pharmaceuticals Inc stock has a Value Grade of A.
  • Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (ADR) stock has a Value Grade of B.
  • Viatris Inc stock has a Value Grade of A.

Now that you have a bit more background about each of the 6 undervalued stocks in the Pharmaceuticals industry as well as their overall grades, it’s time for you to conduct additional research to see if these could fit your portfolio needs based on your goals and risk tolerance. AAII can help you figure out both and identify which investments align with what works best for you.

We do so through a program of education that teaches you to invest for yourself and become an effective manager of your own wealth—no more relying on others for your financial independence. You can rely on AAII for timeless articles on financial planning and stock-picking, unbiased research and actionable analysis that makes you a better investor.

A+ Investor adds to that qualitative teaching by giving you a powerful data suite that helps you whittle down investment decisions to find stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or mutual funds that meet your needs.

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Additional Resources About Pharmaceuticals Stocks

Want to learn more about Pharmaceuticals stocks to see if they could be the right investment for you? Check out some additional resources and articles to help you on your financial journey.

AAII Disclaimer

We make no representations or warranties that any investor will, or is likely to, achieve profits similar to those shown, because past, hypothetical or simulated performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Before making an investment decision, you should consider your circumstances and whether the information on our content is applicable to your situation. This information was prepared in good faith and we accept no liability for any errors or omissions. The full disclaimer can be read here.



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