Has Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc. Proven it Belongs in Your TFSA?

Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc. (TSX:VRX)(NYSE:VRX) could once again be a market-beating stock, but are the risks still too high?

| More on:
The Motley Fool

The pharmaceutical sector is notoriously volatile, because revenues can dry up quickly when a competitor elbows its way in, a patent expires, a drug is not approved, and various other sources of uncertainty.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals Intl Inc. (TSX:VRX)(NYSE:VRX) is a prime example of volatility. Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Laval, Canada, this drug and device company was a darling stock, producing huge gains, until the wheels fell off in 2015 amid controversy surrounding its anti-fungal medication, which was priced astronomically and unfairly high.

Picking one pharma stock for your portfolio is tough. If you asked an investor to pick one stock in this sector to buy, chances are good that they would say Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ). JNJ is a recognizable name with incredibly diverse business. Comparing JNJ and Valeant is timely, because the former has taken on water (with earnings down), and Valeant appears to be making a comeback.

Metric JNJ VRX Favours Valeant?
Market cap US$355 billion US$6 billion no
Revenue growth 6% -10% no
Dividend 2.5% 0% no
Free cash flow US$18 billion US$2 billion no
Debt to capital 33% 81% no
Price to book 5.9 1.0 yes
EV/EBITDA 15.6 9.4 yes
Return on equity 2% 53% yes
Trailing price to earnings 339 2.5 not applicable

Sources: TD Waterhouse, Morningstar; EV/EDITDA=earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

In this comparison — admittedly, only a starting point — there are reasons to like Valeant over JNJ. I have to pinch myself. Despite falling hard and becoming a very cheap stock, sentiment on Valeant is still very mixed, and I am revealing my bias.

Sentiment is an important factor in this sector, whereas the trailing price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) is less relevant. Why? Because, as above, things can change drastically in this sector. JNJ’s P/E has ballooned to the hundreds, making it look rather overvalued. That metric alone could send investors running for the aisle. Fear not. Blue-chip JNJ is still robust. The bottom line is that previous earnings can have little bearing on future guidance for this sector.

Things to like about Valeant right now

Although Valeant’s debt to capital is considerably higher than JNJ’s, this number has come down quite drastically in the last year.

Valeant has just added a seventh product to its arsenal of FDA-approved drugs via its subsidiary Bausch & Lomb. The drug is called Vyzulta and is used to treat intraocular pressure; this helps solidify Valeant’s influence in eye care/ophthalmology amid more intense competition for drugs that treat other medical conditions.

CEO Joseph Papa has been at the helm since May 2016 after departing his position at Perrigo Company plc. He seems to be getting his sea legs and confidence in his company. In March 2018, he and other insiders added new share positions. More skin in the Valeant game is a bullish sign. Papa bought 30,000 shares for ~$20.90 (US$16.05).

The size of the company has shrunk dramatically, but this alone cannot explain Valeant’s above-average return on equity.

Take-home message

One agnostic way to invest in the pharmaceutical sector is the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (NASDAQ:IBB). Could Valeant be a winning 2018 pick? Yes, it could. I would not be surprised if the share price dropped down to $20-21 per share, however, testing support one more time, and a good price to snatch it up. Just remember that Valeant is now a relatively small fish in this competitive and volatile big pond. So, stay Foolish and don’t bet the farm.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Brad Macintosh has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Tom Gardner owns shares of Valeant Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool owns shares of Johnson & Johnson and Valeant Pharmaceuticals.

More on Investing

A worker uses a laptop inside a restaurant.
Tech Stocks

This E-Commerce Stock Could Be a Better Growth Play Than Amazon

Let's dive into a rather intriguing thesis that Shopify (TSX:SHOP) could be a better growth stock than Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) from…

Read more »

profit rises over time
Dividend Stocks

A Dividend Giant I’d Buy Over TD Stock Right Now

TD stock has long been one of the top dividend stocks for investors to consider, but that's simply no longer…

Read more »

ways to boost income
Energy Stocks

Act Fast: These 2 Canadian Energy Stocks Are Must-Buys Before Year-End

Here are two high-potential Canadian energy stocks with stable dividends you can consider adding to your portfolio before the year…

Read more »

Women's fashion boutique Aritzia is a top stock to buy in September 2022.
Investing

Should You Buy the Post-Earnings Dip in Dollarama Stock?

Following positive Q3 numbers and future growth prospects, should investors accumulate stock in this popular retailer on the pullback to…

Read more »

analyze data
Dividend Stocks

Top Financial Sector Stocks for Canadian Investors in 2025

From undervalued to powerfully bullish, quite a few financial stocks might be promising prospects for the coming year.

Read more »

Canada national flag waving in wind on clear day
Dividend Stocks

3 TFSA Red Flags Every Canadian Investor Should Know

Day trading in a TFSA is a red flag. Hold index funds like the Vanguard S&P 500 Index Fund (TSX:VFV)…

Read more »

sale discount best price
Stocks for Beginners

Have $2,000? These 2 Stocks Could Be Bargain Buys for 2025 and Beyond

Fairfax Financial Holdings (TSX:FFH) and another bargain buy are fit for new Canadian investors.

Read more »

Rocket lift off through the clouds
Stocks for Beginners

2 Canadian Growth Stocks Set to Skyrocket in the Next 12 Months

Despite delivering disappointing performance in 2024, these two cheap Canadian growth stocks could offer massive upside in 2025.

Read more »