Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ALXN): Today's Featured Drugs Laggard

Alexion Pharmaceuticals (ALXN) pushed the Drugs industry lower today making it today's featured Drugs laggard. The industry as a whole closed the day up 0.4%. By the end of trading, Alexion Pharmaceuticals fell $1.09 (-1%) to $103.63 on light volume. Throughout the day, 701,970 shares of Alexion Pharmaceuticals exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 2.2 million shares. The stock ranged in price between $103.47-$105.46 after having opened the day at $104.48 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $104.72. Other companies within the Drugs industry that declined today were: Sagent Pharmaceuticals (SGNT), down 25.6%, OxiGene (OXGN), down 10.2%, Chemocentryx (CCXI), down 9.9%, and Durect Corporation (DRRX), down 9.6%.

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Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of biologic therapeutic products in the United States, Europe, Latin America, Japan, and the Asia Pacific. Alexion Pharmaceuticals has a market cap of $20.29 billion and is part of the health care sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 104.1, below the average drugs industry P/E ratio of 105.1 and above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 47% year to date as of the close of trading on Wednesday. Currently there are 15 analysts that rate Alexion Pharmaceuticals a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and three rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Alexion Pharmaceuticals as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, good cash flow from operations, solid stock price performance and expanding profit margins. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had somewhat disappointing return on equity.

• You can view the full Alexion Ratings Report.

On the positive front, China Pharma (CPHI), up 33%, Peregrine Pharmaceuticals (PPHM), up 26.3%, Cormedix (CRMD), up 18.6%, and Complete Genomics (GNOM), up 15.7%, were all gainers within the drugs industry with Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (TEVA) being today's featured drugs industry leader.

• Use our drugs section to find industry-relevant news.
• Or find some new ideas from our top rated stocks lists.

For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the drugs industry could consider SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (XPH) while those bearish on the drugs industry could consider ProShares UltraShort Nasdaq Biotech (BIS).

• Find other investment ideas from our top rated ETFs lists.

 

For more information on Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. click any of the following:

• Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Stock Price

• Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Analyst Ratings

• Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Key Stats & Profile

• Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Earnings

• Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Ratio Comparison

• Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Growth Rates

• Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Balance Sheet

• Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Cash Flow

• Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Income Statement