High debt loads hold them back

In the past few years, big pharmaceutical companies have spun off their consumer drug operations. That’s part of their strategy to focus on more-profitable prescription drug businesses. These two recent spinoffs have decent long-term prospects, but their shares will likely remain depressed until they cut… Read More

Healthcare ETFs tap into key trends

Healthcare companies as a group performed well over the past decade or so—including big growth spurts during and after the pandemic that pushed many of them to new highs. The underlying growth trends remain strong as the global population grows older and emerging economies spend… Read More

Use these key updates to build your returns

EMERA INC. $55 is a buy. The company (Toronto symbol EMA; Income-Growth Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 271.7 million; Market cap: $14.9 billion; Dividend yield: 5.0%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Highest; www.emera.com) owns 100% of Nova Scotia Power, that province’s main electricity supplier. It also owns Tampa Electric, as well… Read More

This deal enhances Pfizer’s prospects

PFIZER INC. $36 is a buy. The pharmaceutical giant (New York symbol PFE; Income Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 5.6 billion; Market cap: $201.6 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.3; Dividend yield: 4.5%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.pfizer.com) is now buying Seagen Inc. (Nasdaq symbol SGEN) for $43… Read More