The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Amgen, CRISPR, Moderna, Sarepta and Vertex

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – February 6, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Amgen AMGN, CRISPR Therapeutics CRSP, Moderna MRNA, Sarepta Therapeutics SRPT and Vertex Pharmaceuticals VRTX.Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:Are These 5 Biotech Stocks Set to Beat Q4 Estimates?The fourth-quarter 2024 reporting cycle of the Medical sector is in full swing. The sector primarily comprises pharma/biotech and medical device companies.See the Zacks Earnings Calendar to stay ahead of market-making news.The earnings season for the medical sector kicked off late last month when pharma giant J&J reported fourth-quarter earnings. Though J&J’s earnings and sales beat estimates, its 2025 sales guidance fell below expectations. Last week, several pharma big-wigs like AbbVie, Novartis, Roche and Sanofi posted earnings, with most reporting an earnings beat. These drugmakers also announced encouraging sales and profit guidance for 2025.The Earnings Trends report indicates that as of Jan. 29, 12.3% of the companies in the Medical sector — representing 30.8% of the sector’s market capitalization — reported quarterly earnings. While 85.7% of participants beat on earnings, 57.1% outperformed revenues. Earnings and revenues increased 1.4% and 6.6%, respectively, year over year. Overall, fourth-quarter earnings and sales are expected to rise 12.5% and 8.6%, respectively, from the year-ago quarter’s reported figures.Zeroing in on WinnersWe have highlighted five biotech companies — Amgen, CRISPR Therapeutics, Moderna, Sarepta Therapeutics and Vertex Pharmaceuticals — that are expected to deliver a beat in their upcoming quarterly results.Earnings ESP is our proprietary methodology for determining the stocks with the best chance to deliver an earnings surprise. It shows the percentage difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate.According to the Zacks model, the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. The selection can be made with the help of the Zacks Stock Screener.Our research shows that the chance of an earnings surprise for stocks with this combination is as high as 70%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.5 Biotech Stocks That Match the CriteriaAmgenOne of the biggest biotech companies in the world, Amgen has a strong presence in the oncology/hematology, cardiovascular disease, neuroscience, inflammation, bone health and nephrology and neuroscience markets. The company has an Earnings ESP of +1.74% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter earnings is pegged at $5.03 per share.Amgen beat on earnings in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 4.10%. AMGN is scheduled to report earnings on Feb. 4, after market close.Amgen Inc. price-eps-surprise | Amgen Inc. QuoteCRISPR TherapeuticsA leading gene-editing company, CRISPR Therapeutics is focused on developing CRISPR/Cas9-based therapeutics, targeting hemoglobinopathies, cancer, diabetes and other diseases. The company has an Earnings ESP of +2.49% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter earnings is pegged at a loss of $1.17 per share.CRSP beat on earnings in three of the trailing four quarters and missed the mark in the other, delivering an average surprise of 100.64%.CRISPR Therapeutics AG price-eps-surprise | CRISPR Therapeutics AG QuoteModernaA commercial-stage biotech, Moderna is primarily focused on discovering and developing messenger-RNA (mRNA) based therapies. The company has an Earnings ESP of +8.41% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter earnings is pegged at a loss of $2.86 per share.Moderna beat on earnings in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 72.65%. MRNA is scheduled to report earnings on Feb. 14, before the opening bell.Moderna, Inc. price-eps-surprise | Moderna, Inc. QuoteSarepta TherapeuticsSarepta is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery and development of RNA-based therapeutics targeting rare and infectious diseases. The company has an Earnings ESP of +18.55% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter earnings is pegged at $1.69 per share.SRPT beat on earnings in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 981.21%.Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. price-eps-surprise | Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. QuoteVertex PharmaceuticalsVertex is focused on discovering, developing and commercializing small molecule drugs targeting serious diseases. The company’s main area of focus is cystic fibrosis (CF). The company has an Earnings ESP of +1.63% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter earnings is pegged at $4.00 per share.Vertex Pharmaceuticals beat on earnings in three of the trailing four quarters and missed the mark once, delivering an average surprise of 3.26%. VRTX is scheduled to release results on Feb. 10, after market close.Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated price-eps-surprise | Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated QuoteWhy Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.0 average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +44.9%, +48.4% and +55.2% per year.Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.See Stocks Free >>Media ContactZacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339support@zacks.comhttps://www.zacks.comPast performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysJust released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +24.3% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. See them now >>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 Amgen Inc. (AMGN): Free Stock Analysis Report Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX): Free Stock Analysis Report Moderna, Inc. (MRNA): Free Stock Analysis Report Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. (SRPT): Free Stock Analysis Report CRISPR Therapeutics AG (CRSP): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks