Alkermes (ALKS) Earnings and Sales Beat Estimates in Q2
Alkermes plc. ALKS reported earnings of 9 cents per share in the second quarter of 2019, down from earnings of 29 cents in the year-ago quarter. However, earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 10 cents.
The company’s revenues of $279.9 million in the quarter declined 8.1% from the year-ago quarter. The top line, nevertheless, beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $254 million. The company’s proprietary products — Vivitrol and Aristada — drove revenues. However, this was offset by declining sales of Ampyra, following the entry of generics into the market in 2018.
Alkermes’ shares have lost 29.2% year to date compared with the industry’s decline of 0.1%.
Factors Impacting Q2
Manufacturing and royalty revenues from Risperdal Consta, InvegaSustenna/Xeplion and InvegaTrinza/Trevicta were $91.9 million, up 7.9% year over year. The same from Ampyra/Fampyra were down 50.3% year over year to $9.8 million due to generic competition. Research and development revenues, primarily from the collaboration with Biogen BIIB for Vumerity (diroximel fumarate), were $14.3 million, down 21.9% year over year.
Vivitrol sales improved about 15.8% year over year to $88.2 million.
Aristada sales came in at $48.4 million, up 44.1% year over year.
Research and development (R&D) expenses were $104.4 million, down 2.2% year over year.
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $155.1 million, up 12.2% year over year.
2019 Outlook
Alkermes now expects Aristada net sales for 2019 to be $200-$210 million, down from its previous expectation of $210-$230 million. Alkermes anticipates this decline in expectation to be offset by increase in royalty and manufacturing revenues.
However, the company maintained its total revenue guidance for 2019 along with the guidance for Vivitrol and its profit outlook. The company expects total revenues of $1.14-$1.19 billion. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2019 revenues is $1.17 billion.
The company expects Vivitrol sales to be $330-$350 million. It anticipates R&D expenses to be $450-$480 million. Alkermes’ guidance for SG&A expenses is $590-$620 million.
The company expects earnings per share to be 25-43 cents. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2019 earnings is pegged at 34 cents.
Pipeline Update
The company expects a regulatory action from the FDA forVumerity to treat multiple sclerosis. It also intends to submit new drug application (NDA) for ALKS 3831 in both schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder, and the first efficacy data for ALKS 4230, before year-end.
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
Alkermes currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the biotech sector are Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. ALNY, and Acorda Therapeutics Inc. ACOR. Both companies sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Alnylam’s loss per share estimates have narrowed from $6.90 to $6.43 for 2020 in the past 60 days. The company delivered a positive earnings surprise in three of the trailing four quarters, with average beat of 8.93%.
Acorda’s loss per share estimates have narrowed from $3.59 to $3.51 for 2019 and from $3.09 to $3.05 for 2020 in the past 60 days. The company delivered a positive earnings surprise in the trailing four quarters, with average beat of 79.32%.
Alkermes plc Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Alkermes plc price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Alkermes plc Quote
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