David & Goliath: AstraZeneca versus Hikma Pharmaceuticals

Which company is most attractive, AstraZeneca or its smaller rival Hikma Pharmaceuticals?

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

astrazenecaBig cap FTSE 100 shares are ever popular, but I sometimes wonder whether looking down the food chain, perhaps at companies in the FTSE 250 index, could produce an investment idea that’s equally solid, but with potentially more exciting forward prospects.

To test the theory, I’m contrasting AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN) (NYSE: AZN.US) with its far smaller rival Hikma Pharmaceuticals (LSE: HIK). AstraZeneca’s £48,420 million market capitalisation makes it 20 times the size of Hikma Pharmaceuticals, with its £2,407 million valuation. That David-and-Goliath situation underlines the success that AstraZeneca has enjoyed and suggests that Hikma Pharmaceuticals has plenty of room to grow.

The business models

The companies have different business models. AstraZeneca spends millions on research & development to generate a pipeline of patent-protected drugs, which it then markets exclusively for a premium sales price. In recent years, however that strategy has been problematic — many best-selling products have timed-out on patent protection, losing their ‘exclusivity’ and allowing generic competition to enter the market, which has stymied earnings’ growth.

Should you invest £1,000 in Greencoat Uk Wind right now?

When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Greencoat Uk Wind made the list?

See the 6 stocks

Hikma Pharmaceuticals is one of the companies that compete by producing generic drugs once a product’s exclusivity has lapsed. The firm also deals with in-licensed pharmaceutical products, providing the marketing and distribution expertise and resources for products developed by other firms.

Both AstraZeneca and Hikma Pharmaceuticals count their product offerings in the hundreds. AstraZeneca’s biggest market is the US with around 38% of sales, followed by Western Europe with 23%, Emerging Markets with 21% and 18% from the rest of the world. Hikma Pharmaceuticals sells 56% of its goods to the Middle East and North Africa, 36% to the US, and 8% to Europe and the rest of the world.

Growth records

The two strategies have produced different financial outcomes. AstraZeneca has achieved a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5% for earnings per share over the last five years. That’s supported a CAGR of 6.4% for the dividend. Hikma Pharmaceuticals has done better with a CAGR of 11.3% for earnings supporting 16.4% annualised growth in the dividend over the same five-year period.

City analysts expect AstraZeneca’s earnings to fall by 24% for 2013, then down a further 10% in 2014 and come in flat for 2015. That contrasts with Hikma Pharmaceuticals, which they expect to achieve earnings growth of 80% for 2013, then down 13% for 2014, but up 12% in 2015.

Hikma pharmaceuticals is the clear winner on forward earnings’ growth prospects.

Valuations

At today’s 3,906p share price, AstraZeneca’s forward P/E ratio is running at about 15 for 2015. For that, investors tap into a 4.4% forward dividend yield with the payout covered about 1.5 times by forward earnings.

Meanwhile, at a share price of 1213p, Hikma Pharmaceutical’s P/E ratio is at 18.5 for 2015. Earnings cover the forward dividend 3.5 times and the forward yield is 1.5%.

What now?

AstraZeneca looks good for its dividend but, given its lacklustre growth outlook, I find Hikma Pharmaceuticals valuation and prospects more attractive and I think the firm is a good candidate for further research with a view to buying on share-price dips.

Pound coins for sale — 31 pence?

This seems ridiculous, but we almost never see shares looking this cheap. Yet this Share Advisor pick has a price/book ratio of 0.31. In plain English, this means that investors effectively get in on a business that holds £1 of assets for every 31p they invest!

Of course, this is the stock market where money is always at risk — these valuations can change and there are no guarantees. But some risks are a LOT more interesting than others, and at The Motley Fool we believe this company is amongst them.

What’s more, it currently boasts a stellar dividend yield of around 10%, and right now it’s possible for investors to jump aboard at near-historic lows. Want to get the name for yourself?

See the full investment case

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Kevin does not own shares in AstraZeneca or Hikma .

More on Investing Articles

Investing Articles

Deutsche Bank reiterates Buy rating on 9.6% yielding FTSE 250 stock that was “most shorted in UK”

Our writer investigates why a major broker remains optimistic about a FTSE 250 stock that was once the most shorted…

Read more »

Investing Articles

2 things to remember when stock markets are turbulent

US trade policy has rattled the stock markets in New York, London and elsewhere. Our writer outlines a couple of…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Are Trump’s tariffs a once-in-a-lifetime chance for ISA investors to get rich?

The £20,000 Stocks and Shares ISA limit will reset on 6 April. Smart investors could use current market volatility to…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Here are the latest Persimmon share price and dividend forecasts

Our writer looks at the latest forecasts for the Persimmon share price and considers what level of dividend the stock…

Read more »

British Pennies on a Pound Note
Investing Articles

Up 900%, could penny share Kodal Minerals have further to run?

Over five years, this penny share has increased in value by a factor of 10. Could the latest news persuade…

Read more »

Investing Articles

3 world-class stocks to consider buying, while they’re ‘on sale’

Looking for stocks to buy? These three all have attractive long-term prospects and are currently trading 20% or more below…

Read more »

Smart young brown businesswoman working from home on a laptop
Investing Articles

Could BP’s share price rebound over the next 12 months? These analysts think the answer is ‘yes’!

BPs share price has plummeted over the last year. But City brokers think things are about to turn around, as…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Is this an unmissable opportunity to buy Nvidia stock?

Nvidia stock is down 33% from its peak, driven by tariffs and geopolitical pressures. Despite this, some investors may spy…

Read more »