Thursday's Health Winners & Losers

Celgene (CELG) was rising 3.2% after the company reported fourth-quarter sales that topped the Thomson First Call consensus estimate. Celgene had total revenue of $275 million, up 84% from a year ago and ahead of estimates for $268.4 million. Shares were up $1.69 to $55.37.

Shares of AstraZeneca (AZN) were higher following news that the company would eliminate 3,000 jobs. The move is expected to cost AstraZeneca $500 million in charges. The company also announced it would buy back $4 billion in shares during the year while bumping its 2006 dividend higher by 32% to $1.72 a share. AstraZeneca was adding $1.23, or 2.2%, to $57.18.

A day after posting an increase in fourth-quarter earnings, shares of Eli Lilly (LLY) were again rising after Prudential upgraded shares to overweight from neutral. The firm cited valuation as well as strong projected earnings growth over the next four years. Lilly was gaining 79 cents, or 1.5%, to $54.91.

Meanwhile, medical-device maker NeuroMetrix (NURO) slid nearly 8% after missing fourth-quarter revenue targets. The stock was down $1.05 to $12.25.

Among health care stocks gaining ground Thursday, Elan (ELN) added 41 cents, or 3.3%, to $12.86, and Pfizer (PFE) rose 33 cents, or 1.3%, to $26.57.

Amgen (AMGN) slipped 89 cents, or 1.3%, to $69.48, AmerisourceBergen (ABC) shed a dime, or 0.2%, to $52.28, and Genentech (DNA) eased 24 cents, or 0.3%, to $87.13.

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