Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Biotech / Medical : Ligand (LGND) Breakout! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Andreas Helke who wrote (15167)	2/17/1998 10:45:00 AM
From: Henry Niman	Respond to of 32384

Andreas, I think that earnings are the chief driver for Zack's. I did find the list of the highest rated (by brokers) in the Med-Biomed Genetics group and the top 13 have two or more ratings and all have scores of a perfect 1.0 (all brokers rate the company a STRONG BUY). In this group of 13, Zack's gives none of them a STRONG BUY. Two are rated BUY (MLNM & NFLD), eight are rated HOLD (TXB, AVIR, ALTN, CNSI, GERN, LIFC, VGINF, TRMS), two are rated SELL (MYGN & GLIA), and one is rated STRONG SELL (SANG).

To: Andreas Helke who wrote (15167)	2/17/1998 11:08:00 AM
From: Henry Niman	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 32384

Andreas, I addition to the 13 Biotechs that are rated by more than 1 brokerage house and have perfect scores, there are seven more that are similar to LGND (rated by more than one house and have a score of 1.25 or better) and none of them received a STRONG BUY from Zack's. Two have a BUY (ALKS & SERO), three are HOLD (BCHE, VRTX, PGNX) and two are SELL (GENXY & MAGN). In fact out of the top 28 Biotechs, only one other has a Zack's STRONG BUY (ALXN), but they are only covered by one brokerage house.

To: Andreas Helke who wrote (15167)	2/17/1998 12:26:00 PM
From: Henry Niman	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 32384

Andreas, While looking for more earnings news, I ran across this earlier Market Scope report of 2/6/98: 2/6/98 2:20 pm... LIGAND PHARMACEUTICAL (LGND 12-3/4) UP 1-1/2, POSTS $0.09 4Q LOSS VS. BREAKEVEN (BEFORE ONE-TIME CHARGES) DESPITE SHARP REVENUE RISE... BEAR STEARNS SAYS RESULTS BETTER THAN CONSENSUS... Analyst David Molowa tells MarketScope he forecast $0.05 4Q loss... Believes better than expected results due to better expense control, more revenues than anticipated... Says co.'s $86M cash position also better than exptected.... Notes LGND on track to file 2 NDAs, make transition to profitability in '99... Adds LGND stock been very weak over past couple of months... Sees $0.90 '98 loss, $0.10 '99 EPS... Has $25 12-month target... Rates buy./B.Brodie