SPDR S&P US Health Care Select Sect ETF

UnitedHealth Group honors late CEO Brian Thompson with annual week of service

Eli Lilly is rumored to be interested in acquiring French biotech company Abivax

Eli Lilly increases quarterly dividend, to be paid on March 10, 2026

Eli Lilly provides update on Phase 1 clinical study for oral weight-loss drug LY3549492

UnitedHealth Group's Optum to Participate in the Evolution of Psychotherapy (EVP) Conference

UnitedHealth Group to Pay Cash Dividend of $2.21 Per Share

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Increased Merck Holdings in Q2

Stance Capital LLC Increased Holdings in Gilead Sciences in Q2

North Dallas Bank & Trust Invests $919,000 in Merck in Q2

Coppell Reduces Stake in Amgen, Executives Sell Shares

Multiple Eli Lilly Innovative Drugs Included in China's First Commercial Insurance Innovation Drug Catalog

Eli Lilly expects its new Alabama plant to begin construction in 2026 to boost weight-loss drug production capacity

Advisory Services Network LLC Increases Holdings in UnitedHealth

Reports Indicate Several Institutional Investors Increased Their Stakes in UnitedHealth Group in Q4 2025

North Dallas Bank & Trust Co. Buys 4,261 Shares in UnitedHealth Group Inc.

Kentucky Retirement Systems Sells Shares in UnitedHealth Group Inc.

Brick & Kyle Associates Purchases 1,700 Shares of Eli Lilly and Company

Themes ETFs launches a 2X Long Leveraged ETF linked to UnitedHealth Group

Gilead Sciences' CAR T therapy Yescarta shows sustained efficacy, stock undervalued

Wells Fargo Raises Johnson & Johnson's Price Target to $230

AdvisorShares MSOS 2x Daily ETF

cbdMD

Tryhard

Roundhill Cannabis ETF

Neo-Concept

Amplify Seymour Cannabis ETF

AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF

Canopy Growth

RYTHM

Tilray Brands

The article explores the concept of a simple, individual stock portfolio with 25% allocation in stocks like Lockheed Martin, Johnson & Johnson, and Coca-Cola, emphasizing survivorship bias and demand stories. It contrasts this with a 60/40 portfolio using Nasdaq 100 derivative income funds and high yield bonds, highlighting risks and returns. The discussion includes the impact of AI bubbles and the importance of understanding equity beta in high yield bonds.

- The article discusses the rise of 2X single stock ETFs and their implications for market behavior, likening some investment strategies to gambling.  
- It explores the concept of a simplified stock portfolio focused on companies with enduring demand, highlighting examples like Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, and Microsoft, while cautioning against over-concentration in individual stocks.  
- The author also critiques a high-risk portfolio strategy involving a significant allocation to a Nasdaq ETF, warning of potential vulnerabilities in the event of a market downturn.

Talkmarkets

Johnson & Johnson

Lockheed Martin

Coca Cola

Simple But Not Well Diversified

TEVA

Teva Pharmaceutical's stock surged 45% after strong earnings, but concerns remain about its debt and lack of dividends. Pfizer and Merck, facing patent cliffs, offer more stable financials and dividends. Pfizer is revamping its drug pipeline, while Merck acquired Cidara Therapeutics for its influenza drug. Both companies present long-term investment opportunities with lower P/E ratios compared to Teva.

- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries' shares surged 45% following strong earnings, reflecting investor optimism despite concerns over its debt and lack of dividends.  
- The company, primarily focused on generic drugs, faces competition from financially stronger firms like Pfizer and Merck, which have maintained profitability and are actively investing in new drug development.  
- Long-term investors may find better value in Pfizer and Merck, which offer lower price-to-earnings ratios and consistent dividends, compared to Teva's high valuation after its recent rally.

Motley Fool

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

Pfizer

Merck

Should You Forget Teva Pharmaceutical and Buy These Unstoppable Stocks Instead?

A California jury awarded $40 million to two women with ovarian cancer in a landmark verdict against Johnson & Johnson. The trial revealed decades of concealment of asbestos evidence in J&J's talc products. This verdict is the first of many expected trials, following delays due to J&J's bankruptcies. The case highlights the company's manipulation of scientific research and withholding of crucial information, leading to increased ovarian cancer risk from talc use.

MorningStar

California Jury Awards $40 Million in Landmark Talc Verdict Against Johnson & Johnson

Wall Street's major averages fell, with healthcare stocks showing gains. CVS Health set a 2026 revenue outlook below consensus but increased 2025 guidance. Eli Lilly's weight loss therapy succeeded in trials. Novartis signed a $1.7 billion agreement with Relation Therapeutics for drug targets. Pfizer plans job cuts in Switzerland amid restructuring. Trump is expected to sign an executive order to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug.

businessinsider

NOVARTIS AG

Eli Lilly

CVS Health

Notable healthcare headlines for the week: CVS, Eli Lilly and Novartis in focus

ISRG

Intuitive Surgical is expanding its flywheel, but investors are once again aware of the growth opportunities on offer.

Intuitive Surgical

Should you buy shares of Intuitive Surgical in December?

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans increased its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 51.4% in Q2. Merck's earnings exceeded expectations, reporting $2.58 EPS against a $2.36 estimate. The company announced a quarterly dividend increase to $0.85 per share, reflecting strong financial performance. Analysts have raised target prices, indicating positive sentiment.

Market Beat

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Grows Stock Position in Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK

GILD

Stance Capital LLC acquired 11,825 shares of Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) during the second quarter, valued at approximately $1,311,000. Other hedge funds also increased their positions in Gilead Sciences. The company's stock opened at $120.40 on Friday, with a 52-week range of $88.57 to $128.70. Gilead Sciences reported quarterly earnings of $2.47 per share, beating estimates, and announced a quarterly dividend of $0.79 per share. Insiders sold 135,757 shares valued at $16,616,127 last quarter. Analysts forecast growth for Gilead Sciences.

Gilead Sciences

Stance Capital LLC Takes Position in Gilead Sciences, Inc. $GILD

North Dallas Bank & Trust Co. invested $919,000 in Merck & Co., Inc. during Q2. Analysts have mixed ratings on Merck, with an average rating of "Hold" and a price target of $107.50. Merck's stock opened at $100.33, with a market cap of $249.02 billion. The company reported Q3 earnings of $2.58 per share, beating estimates, and increased its dividend.

North Dallas Bank & Trust Co. Invests $919,000 in Merck & Co., Inc. $MRK

Liontrust Investment Partners LLP increased its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 7.9% in Q2, owning 41,472 shares valued at $12.94 million. Analysts have raised price targets for UNH, with Mizuho, Bernstein, JPMorgan, Jefferies, and Barclays giving 'outperform' and 'buy' ratings. UNH reported Q3 EPS of $2.92, beating estimates, with revenue up 12.2% year-over-year. The company announced a quarterly dividend of $2.21, yielding 2.6%.

Unitedhealth

Liontrust Investment Partners LLP Has $12.94 Million Stock Position in UnitedHealth Group Incorporated $UNH

AMGN

Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC reduced its stake in Amgen Inc. by 67.3% in Q2, now holding $1.36 million worth of shares. Other institutional investors adjusted their positions, with some increasing their holdings. Insider trading included sales by SVP Rachna Khosla and EVP Murdo Gordon. Amgen's stock performance shows a slight increase, with a recent earnings beat and a dividend announcement. The company reported strong financials, with a 12.4% revenue increase year-over-year and a positive earnings outlook.

Amgen

Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC Has $1.36 Million Holdings in Amgen Inc. $AMGN

Advisory Services Network LLC increased its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 66.3% in Q2, acquiring 22,194 additional shares, now holding 55,651 shares worth $17.36 million. Other institutional investors also increased their stakes. Analysts have given mixed ratings, with a consensus rating of 'Hold' and a target price of $385.54. UnitedHealth Group's stock rose 1.5%, with a market cap of $309.65 billion and a P/E ratio of 17.84. The company reported Q3 earnings of $2.92 per share, beating estimates, with revenue up 12.2% year-over-year.

Advisory Services Network LLC Acquires 22,194 Shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated $UNH

Job growth has slowed, averaging 40,000 jobs per month recently, compared to 170,000 in 2024, due to reduced immigration. Healthcare is the main sector adding jobs, while manufacturing and mining are losing jobs. Unemployment has risen to 4.4%, affecting disadvantaged groups more. Wage growth is weakening, with real wages barely increasing. November's unemployment rate may rise to 4.5% or higher, with voluntary quits decreasing, indicating worker insecurity.

November 2025 Jobs Preview: What To Expect

On December 12, 2025, Abbott Laboratories appointed Nita Ahuja, M.D. to its Board of Directors.1On December 12, 2025, Daniel Gesua Sive Salvadori, Vice President of Abbott Laboratories, reported a gift of 1,536 shares through a Form 4 filing, bringing his total direct holdings to 132,233 shares.2

TradingView

Abbott Laboratories

Key facts: Abbott Laboratories appoints Nita Ahuja to Board; VP reports share gift

RCUS

Arcus Biosciences, along with Gilead Sciences, has halted the Phase 3 STAR-221 trial after interim results showed no survival benefit in gastric and esophageal cancers. The company will now focus on its HIF-2α inhibitor, casdatifan, and other small-molecule programs. This shift alters Arcus's investment narrative, emphasizing casdatifan's potential in renal cell carcinoma and increasing execution risks. The company's development plan targets multiple RCC readouts by 2026-2027, with projected revenue of $327.1 million by 2028, requiring a 7.7% annual growth.

Simplywall

Arcus Biosciences

Why Arcus Biosciences (RCUS) Is Down 15.4% After Ending Key Gastric Cancer Trial And Pivoting Pipeline

The article evaluates Eli Lilly's stock valuation amidst its significant growth, driven by obesity and diabetes treatments. Despite a 32.1% year-to-date increase, a valuation framework scores it 1/6, indicating it's expensive by traditional metrics. A DCF analysis suggests it's undervalued by 19.4%, while a PE ratio analysis finds it overvalued. The article introduces "Narratives" for a holistic valuation approach, linking company stories to financial forecasts.

Has Lilly’s Obesity Drug Boom Pushed Its 2025 Valuation Too Far?