If you’d invested in: Dechra Pharmaceuticals and Shire
Dechra Pharmaceuticals is a drugs company that specialises in the development of medical treatments for pets. Over the next three years, the firm’s earnings per share is expected to more than double.
If only...
Dechra Pharmaceuticals (LSE: DPH) is a drugs company that specialises in the development of medical treatments for pets. Pet ownership is on the rise around the globe, as is spending on those pets, so Dechra is operating in a booming market.
Over the next three years, the firm's earnings per share is expected to more than double. Over the same time period, revenue is predicted to grow from £359m to £465m; profit, from £26m to £57m.
Be glad you didn't
Shire (LSE: SHP) is a biotechnology group with treatments for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and inflammatory bowel disease, among others. It has suffered from problems in the production of one of its best-selling drugs, Cinryze. Despite this, the firm has posted a 7% rise in sales to £3.7bn in the quarter to the end of September. Management is considering splitting the firm in two so it can focus more on developing medicines for rare diseases.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Sign up to Money Morning
Our team, led by award winning editors, is dedicated to delivering you the top news, analysis, and guides to help you manage your money, grow your investments and build wealth.
Alice grew up in Stockholm and studied at the University of the Arts London, where she gained a first-class BA in Journalism. She has written for several publications in Stockholm and London, and joined MoneyWeek in 2017.
-
Six months left to give your state pension an extra boost – should you buy national insurance credits?
News Older workers have until 5 April 2025 to make a backdated claim for NI credits to 2006/2007 that could boost their state pension income
By Marc Shoffman Published
-
Eric Adams: the New York City mayor charged with corruption
Controversy and accusations of corruption have followed Eric Adams in his rise to the mayoralty of New York City. Now he has been charged with a federal crime.
By Jane Lewis Published
-
Shire: a tempting buy-out bet
Features Pharmaceuticals firm Shire is set to be taken over – but it’s cheap even if the deal fails.
By Dr Matthew Partridge Published
-
Three stocks to profit from the boom in pharma M&A
Opinion Ailsa Craig picks three stocks that should capitalise on the M&A trend in the pharmaceutical sector, either as potential targets or as well-established acquirers of other rivals.
By Ailsa Craig Published
-
Pocket some grey pounds – three healthcare stocks to buy now
Opinion The ageing population is an opportunity for the health and medical sector. Here, professional investor Garry White picks three healthcare stocks to buy now.
By Garry White Published
-
UK stocks ahead as investor shrug off fresh oil price drop
Market Reports Investors have shrugged off concerns over the falling price of oil this morning ahead of the release of US earnings data.
By Kam Patel Published