AbbVie Initiated at Outperform By Raymond James

AbbVie(ABBV) surged out of the gate following its January 2013 spinoff from Abbott Laboratories(ABT). By December 2014, the stock price had doubled. Since then, however, the stock languished, continuing to trade below its December 2014 highs. Despite efforts to diversify, Humira, which is now off patent, accounts for 60% of revenue. Barron’s reports that Raymond James now thinks the stock is attractive, with an Outperform rating.

Initiating coverage of ABBV shares with an Outperform rating and an $82 price target as we think uncertainty over Humira’s intellectual property (IP) creates an opportunity to own this name at a significant discount to its peersbefore the full extent of the drug’s revenue tail becomes reflected in the stock. Coupling that with a rapidly diversifying portfolio, numerous upcoming value-enhancing catalysts, and a decent dividend yield, we think shares can continue to work higher over the next several quarters.

Not your father’s biotech company. Having spun out of Abbott Laboratories in 2013, and based in North Chicago, IL, AbbVie comes with a decidedly different pedigree than most biotechs. Indeed, most investors we speak with tend to lump the company in with large pharma – simply by virtue of this legacy. However, with a growth profile, product offering, and pipeline that is every bit that of a biotech company, we think this name should increasingly be viewed through such a lens…

We think the stock can continue to work from here. While Humira still accounts for ~60% of revenue, AbbVie has made great strides toward diversification (with some seen as smart deals, others – the jury is still out), all of which poise the company for significant catalyst flow, in our view. Coupling that with current mid-teens EPS growth, a dividend yield of ~3.5%, and current P/E of ~13x 2016E EPS, we like the set up here.

Disclosure: Author holds no position in any stock mentioned