Amgen (AMGN) closed at $434.03, up 1.86%, outperforming the S&P 500. The stock has gained 13.22% over the past month. Upcoming Q3 2026 earnings are expected on November 3 with an EPS of $5.72 (+1.42% YoY) and revenue of $9.93 billion (+3.94% YoY). The company holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) with a Forward P/E of 18.57, trading at a discount to its industry average. However, the Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry ranks 153rd out of 250+ industries.

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical reported $350 million in first-half 2026 revenues, up 14% year-over-year, driven by Crysvita ($249M) and strong growth in Evkeeza (up 56%). The company received FDA approvals for two new gene therapies—Genglycos and Fayuvi—and sold a priority review voucher for $210 million. However, RARE stock has underperformed, declining 35.1% year-to-date, and faces competition from Amgen and Denali Therapeutics. The company carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) rating.

Johnson & Johnson reported Q3 2026 adjusted earnings of $2.59 per share, beating estimates, but sales of $25.4 billion missed expectations. Innovative Medicine sales grew 7.7% driven by Tremfya and newer therapies, while Stelara faced significant biosimilar competition. MedTech underperformed with a 2.5% increase missing estimates. J&J raised 2026 guidance but shares declined 2% in pre-market trading due to weaker-than-expected MedTech results.

Amgen (AMGN), a major biotech company, receives a #3 (Hold) rating from Zacks with a B VGM Score. While the company faces declining sales from older drugs due to biosimilar competition and recent patent expirations for key products Prolia and Xgeva in 2025, momentum investors should note the stock's 9.5% gain over the past four weeks. Six analysts have raised earnings estimates in the last 60 days, with the consensus estimate increasing to $22.94 per share.

The article compares two healthcare ETFs: IBB (biotech-focused) and IYH (broad healthcare). IBB has delivered stronger 1-year returns (38% vs 17.4%) but exhibits higher volatility and deeper drawdowns. IYH offers lower costs, higher dividend yield, and broader diversification, making it better for most long-term investors, while IBB suits those with conviction in biotech momentum who can tolerate volatility.

To generate $1,000 monthly in dividend income ($12,000 annually), investors should diversify across five pharmaceutical stocks rather than concentrating in high-yield Pfizer alone. Investing $70,000 each in Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Amgen creates a balanced portfolio that reduces risk from patent expirations and potential dividend cuts while maintaining steady income.

Amgen (AMGN) closed at $414.87, up 1.82%, outperforming the S&P 500's 0.6% gain. The biotech giant has risen 6.53% over the past month. Upcoming earnings are projected at $5.7 per share with revenue expected at $9.92 billion. Full-year estimates suggest $22.94 EPS and $38.83 billion revenue, representing 5.04% and 5.65% growth respectively. However, the stock holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) with a recent 0.13% downward EPS estimate revision. Trading at a Forward P/E of 17.76, it trades at a discount to the industry average of 23.15.

Some economists predict a market downturn and recession by end of 2027. The article recommends two pharmaceutical stocks—AbbVie and Amgen—as defensive investments that have historically weathered downturns well due to their diversified drug portfolios, consistent revenue from chronic disease treatments, strong pipelines, and reliable dividend payments.

Johnson & Johnson will report Q3 2026 results on October 13 with consensus estimates for $25.37 billion in sales and $2.66 EPS. The company's Innovative Medicine segment is expected to drive growth through key drugs like Darzalex and new launches, but faces headwinds from Stelara biosimilar competition and upcoming patent expirations. Despite valuation concerns, analysts recommend staying invested given J&J's diversified business model, consistent growth trajectory, and pipeline strength.

U.S. stock markets closed higher on Wednesday with the Dow rising 0.7%, Nasdaq and S&P 500 each gaining 0.2%. Federal Reserve officials project another rate hike by end of 2026 but remain divided on timing amid economic uncertainty. Consumer credit growth fell short of expectations in August.

Amgen stock gained 2.6% to close at $413.08, outperforming the broader market decline. The biotech giant is projected to report EPS of $5.69 (up 0.89% YoY) and revenue of $9.91 billion (up 3.68% YoY). For the full year, consensus estimates project earnings of $22.94 per share and revenue of $38.81 billion. Amgen holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) rating with a Forward P/E of 17.55, trading at a discount to its industry average.

Amgen has recently been a trending stock, with shares down 7.8% over the past month compared to the S&P 500's +0.8% gain. The biotech company shows solid fundamentals with consistent earnings and revenue beat history, but the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) rating suggests it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term. Current year earnings are expected to grow 5% with revenue growth of 5.6%, while the stock trades at par with peers based on valuation metrics.