The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights J&J, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Merck, Amgen

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – May 13, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: J&J JNJ, Eli Lilly LLY, Pfizer PFE, Merck MRK, Amgen AMGN.Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:Pharma Stocks Hit by Trump's Vow to Cut U.S. Prescription Drug Costs President Trump has released a social media post before markets open on Monday, stating that the government will sign an executive order today that will result in a 30% to 80% decrease in prescription drug prices in the United States.The President claims he is taking this step as he feels that the cost of prescription drugs in the United States is higher than in any other country, sometimes even five to ten times higher.The price cuts, some of which he mentioned could be effective immediately, would see that U.S. consumers pay the same amount as the nation that pays the lowest price for that drug. He termed this policy as the “most favored nations’ policy.”Though specifics of the order were not clear, shares of all large drugmakers, J&J, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Merck, Gilead, Bristol-Myers, Amgen and several other U.S. pharmaceutical stocks were on the decline in pre-market trading on Monday in response.Trump also stated that the cuts in U.S. prescription drug costs could lead to price increases worldwide, resulting in a decline in the stocks of pharmaceutical companies globally. In Europe, stocks of Novo Nordisk, GSK, AstraZeneca and Sanofi fell while their ADRs also fell in U.S. markets in pre-market trading.The U.S. government is already trying to control healthcare costs through its federal health insurance program under the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”) passed in 2022 under Joe Biden. Every year, Medicare spends billions of dollars on reimbursing medicines. The IRA has made significant changes to how drugs are covered and paid for under Medicare. Under the IRA, the U.S. government gave authority to Medicare to negotiate the price of some prescription medicines directly with drug manufacturers, hoping to save the government billions of dollars. Before the IRA was passed, Medicare was not allowed any such negotiations with drug manufacturers.Under the U.S. government’s drug price negotiation program, the Medicare Part D program was redesigned to require drugmakers to bear more of the liability for certain drug benefits and government price-setting for certain Medicare Part D drugs (starting in 2026) and Medicare Part B drugs (starting in 2028). The program also included penalties for significant increases in the prices of drugs.The list for Medicare price negotiations released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) mostly includes expensive medicines for cancer, diabetes, autoimmune conditions and blood thinners, with more drugs expected to be added every year. These medicines, covered under Medicare Part D, are taken by millions of Americans and account for a huge portion of Medicare spending annually.Though the so-called “most favored nations’ policy” will save the government trillions of dollars, it will hugely affect the sales and profits of big drugmakers. Drug companies are expected to challenge any such executive order. Trump’s post did not specify whether the order would apply to Medicare, Medicaid or other government health programmes, nor did it provide any implementation timing. The global pharma industry will wait eagerly for more details on the order.Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year.Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.See Stocks Free >>Zacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339support@zacks.comhttps://www.zacks.comPast performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.Only $1 to See All Zacks' Buys and SellsWe're not kidding.Several years ago, we shocked our members by offering them 30-day access to all our picks for the total sum of only $1. No obligation to spend another cent.Thousands have taken advantage of this opportunity. Thousands did not - they thought there must be a catch. Yes, we do have a reason. We want you to get acquainted with our portfolio services like Surprise Trader, Stocks Under $10, Technology Innovators,and more, that closed 256 positions with double- and triple-digit gains in 2024 alone.See Stocks Now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): Free Stock Analysis Report Pfizer Inc. (PFE): Free Stock Analysis Report Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK): Free Stock Analysis Report Eli Lilly and Company (LLY): Free Stock Analysis Report Amgen Inc. (AMGN): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks