Peak Sales of Merck's Januvia Will Hit $10 Billion

“Bait the hook well; this fish will bite,” quipped Shakespeare’s Claudio in the playwright’s Much Ado About Nothing. To the contrary, investor shouldn’t bite – fears that the recent U.S. regulatory approval of Takeda’s Nesina (alogliptin) will mute the growth of Merck's (MRK-$43.10) Januvia franchise are unfounded. The Japanese drug maker’s DPP-4 inhibitor is attempting to launch on a crowded beachhead – facing established rivals, none of which have scored any notable inroads against Januvia. For example, Tradjenta (linagliptin), launched by Eli Lilly (LLY-$54.89) in June 2011, posted anemic sales in first-half 2012 of just $59.2 million (despite a niche marketing message focusing on alleged benefits for those type-2 diabetics with renal impairment). 

Continue Reading at YCharts: Why New Diabetes Drugs Won't Dethrone Merck's $5.7 Billion Januvia 

Editor David J Phillips does not hold a financial interest in any stocks mentioned in this article. The 10Q Detective has a Full Disclosure Policy.

SunTech Power: Too Much Capacity, Too Much Debt

In terms of megawatt shipment volumes, Suntech Power Holdings (STP-$1.50) is the number three supplier of PV modules, according to analytics firm NPD Solarbuzz. Unlike Arizona-based, thin-film PV module maker First Solar (FSLR-$32.45) and Chinese competitors, such as vertically-integrated crystalline silicon (c-Si) manufacturers Jinko Solar (JKS-$8.93) and JA Solar (JASO-$5.66) –NPD Solarbuzz ranking of 2, 7 and 8, respectively – Suntech assumed too much debt in building capacity.

Continue Reading at YCharts: Debt Bombs Among Solar Stock: Who Has Liquidity to Last?

Editor David J Phillips does not hold a financial interest in any stocks mentioned in this article. The 10Q Detective has a Full Disclosure Policy.

Energy Majors Vulnerable to Terror Attacks in Africa

Concentration of production and reserve assets in such unstable markets as North Africa and the sub-Sahara means operating profitability of certain energy companies could be adversely impacted in the event of another jihadist attack. Drillers with significant hydrocarbon reserves vulnerable to disruptions in Libya, Egypt, and Nigeria include energy majors Eni SpA (E-$48.30) and Total SA (TOT-$53.11) and U.S.-based producers Apache Corp. (APA-$83.57) and Marathon Oil (MRO-$34.17).

Continue Reading at YCharts: Which Oil Companies Are Vulnerable in the Wake of Algerian Terrorist Attack?


Editor David J Phillips does not hold a financial interest in any stocks mentioned in this article. The 10Q Detective has a Full Disclosure Policy.