Pfizer Inc. discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands. It also provides medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, such as biosimilars for chronic immune and inflammatory diseases under the Xeljanz, Enbrel, Inflectra, Litfulo, Velsipity, and Cibinqo brands; amyloidosis, hemophilia, endocrine diseases, and sickle cell disease under the Vyndaqel family, Oxbryta, BeneFIX, Somavert, Ngenla, and Genotropin brands; sterile injectable and anti-infective medicines under the Sulperazon, Medrol, Zavicefta, Zithromax, and Panzyga brands; and biologics, small molecules, immunotherapies, and biosimilars under the Ibrance, Xtandi, Inlyta, Bosulif, Mektovi, Padcev, Adcetris, Talzenna, Tukysa, Elrexfio, Tivdak, Lorbrena, and Braftovi brands. In addition, the company involved in the contract manufacturing business. It serves wholesalers, retailers, hospitals, clinics, government agencies, pharmacies, individual provider offices, retail pharmacies, and integrated delivery systems. The company has collaboration agreements with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Astellas Pharma US, Inc.; Merck KGaA; and BioNTech SE. Pfizer Inc. was founded in 1849 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Pfizer, Inc.

Thursday, February 26, 2026
The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Meta Platforms, Inc. (META), Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) and Pfizer Inc. (PFE), as well as two micro-cap stocks SIFCO Industries, Inc. (SIF) and Altigen Communications, Inc. (ATGN). The Zacks microcap research is unique as our research content on these small and under-the-radar companies is the only research of its type in the country.
These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.
You can see all of today’s research reports here >>>
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The daily 'Ahead of Wall Street' article is a must-read for all investors who would like to be ready for that day's trading action. The article comes out before the market opens, attempting to make sense of that morning's economic releases and how they will affect that day's market action. You can read this article for free on our home page and can actually sign up there to get an email notification as this article comes out each morning.
You can read today's AWS here >>> NVIDIA Slam Dunks on Earnings Once Again
Today's Featured Research Reports
Shares of Meta have declined -12.5% over the past six months against the Zacks Internet - Software industry’s decline of -21.2%. The company is benefiting from increasing AI-infusion across its services, which currently reach more than 3.58 billion people daily. META’s improved recommendation system is driving up user engagement. Instagram Reels had a strong fourth-quarter, with watch time up more than 30% year-over-year in the United States.
Facebook video time continued to grow double-digits year-over-year in the United States. Recommendation improvement drove 20% lift in time spent on Threads. AI usage is making META a popular name among advertisers.
Meta Platforms now expects to invest significantly more over the next few years in developing more advanced models and the largest AI services in the world. However, monetization of these AI services will take considerable time, which is a concern. Increasing regulatory challenges is a headwind for investors.
(You can read the full research report on Meta here >>>)
Netflix’s shares have underperformed the Zacks Broadcast Radio and Television industry over the past six months (-32% vs. -20.5%). The company’s primary concerns persist around the proposed Warner Bros Discovery acquisition facing regulatory hurdles and market skepticism. Elevated debt levels and content obligations pose leverage risks. While 2026 guidance projects revenue growth of 12-14%, intensifying competition from Disney and Amazon may pressure subscriber growth rates going forward.
Nevertheless, Netflix is benefiting from its growing subscriber base, thanks to a robust localized and foreign-language content portfolio and healthy engagement levels with about two hours of viewing per member per day, indicating strong member retention.
NFLX has set an ambitious target to double its revenues by 2030 and reach a $1 trillion market capitalization, supported by a diversified content strategy, including international programming, live events, and gaming initiatives.
(You can read the full research report on Netflix here >>>)
Shares of Pfizer have gained +11.3% over the past six months against the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry’s gain of +24.4%. The company’s stock has taken a beating for the past three years as its revenues have declined substantially due to lower sales of its COVID products.
Pfizer also faces some other challenges, like U.S. Medicare Part D headwinds and the upcoming LOE cliff in the 2026-2030 period as several of its key products, including Eliquis, Vyndaqel, Ibrance, Xeljanz and Xtandi, face patent expirations.
However, Pfizer’s non-COVID operational revenues are improving, driven by its key products like Vyndaqel, Padcev and Eliquis, new launches and newly acquired products which should partially offset the LOE impact over the next several years. Pfizer expects its recently launched and acquired products and a strong pipeline to help revive top-line growth toward the end of the decade.
(You can read the full research report on Pfizer here >>>)
SIFCO’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry over the past six months (+104.7% vs. +17.6%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $88.07 million is positioned in structurally resilient aerospace and defense markets, benefiting from long-cycle platforms, high qualification barriers and growing military/rotorcraft demand.
Recent results reflect improved throughput, pricing discipline and exit of lower-margin work, driving a meaningful margin rebound and stronger operating leverage. A solid backlog underpins revenue visibility, and deleveraging has improved financial flexibility.
However, earnings durability depends on sustained volumes and a favorable mix. Risks include defense concentration, working-capital swings, input-cost inflation, contract execution complexity and regulatory exposure. The current valuation suggests investors remain cautious, pricing in execution risk and cyclicality, while leaving meaningful upside if margin gains and cash flow prove sustainable.
(You can read the full research report on SIFCO here >>>)
Shares of Altigen Communications have underperformed the Zacks Communication - Components industry over the past six months (-28.7% vs. +176.7%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $11.90 million is facing a revenue decline Y/Y, driven by a weaker hosted services mix, and customer concentration increased materially, with the top five accounts representing 83% of sales.
Elevated churn tied to platform transitions, a higher receivables reserve, and capitalized software impairment risk add execution uncertainty. Nevertheless, Altigen held $2.6 million in cash and nearly $2.9 million in working capital as of Dec. 31, 2025, with minimal leverage, supporting operational resilience.
Gross margins remain strong, and lower operating and R&D expenses enhance operating leverage, positioning earnings to benefit from incremental revenue gains. Recent partnerships expand distribution without materially increasing fixed costs, while rising deferred revenue improves forward visibility.
(You can read the full research report on Altigen Communications here >>>)
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Itaú Unibanco Holding S.A. (ITUB), Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (EPD) and Carvana Co. (CVNA).
Mark Vickery
Senior Editor
Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview reports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>
Today's Must Read
Featured Reports
Revenue Growth and Digital Transformation Aid Itau Unibanco (ITUB)
Per the Zacks analyst, Itau Unibanco's loan portfolio expansion and stronger insurance sales drive revenue growth. Digital transformation initiatives enhance efficiency and customer engagement.
Enterprise Products' (EPD) to benefit from Extensive Pipeline Network
Per the Zacks analyst, Enterprise Products' vast pipeline network taps into different markets, supporting steady cash flows. However, weak storage demand and high maintenance costs pose risks.
ADESA's Acquisition Aids Carvana (CVNA) Amid High Debt Level
Per the Zacks analyst, the acquisition of ADESA's U.S. operations is driving Carvana's profitability. However, its high debt levels remain a concern.
Specialty and GMPD Demand Aids Cardinal Health (CAH) Amid Headwinds
Per the Zacks analyst, Cardinal Health is driving growth through specialty pharma, at-home care, and GMPD turnaround, offsetting contract expirations, rising costs and tariff exposure.
Watsco (WSO) Benefits from A2L Transition Amid Housing Demand Softness
Per the Zacks analyst, Watsco is leveraging its digital platform and the A2L refrigerant transition to drive efficiency and SKU growth. However, weak HVAC demand due to housing softness mars prospects
Solid Patient Volumes and Buyouts Aid Encompass Health (EHC)
Per the Zacks Analyst, Encompass Health's top line has been fueled by growing patient volumes. Several acquisitions have strengthened its capabilities and expanded geographic footprint.
AI Tax Assist Benefits H and R Block (HRB), Competition High
Per the Zacks Analyst, integration of a generative AI-powered technology, AI Tax Assist, in H and R Block's DIY tax preparation boosts top line. Rising competition is an overhang.
New Upgrades
Okta Rides on Innovative Portfolio and Rich Partner Base
Per the Zacks analyst, Okta is benefiting from an expanding partner base, along with a strong backlog and an innovative portfolio.
Organic Growth and Strategic Expansion Aids Associated Banc-Corp (ASB)
Per the Zacks analyst, Associated Banc-Corp's organic growth is reflected by robust loan growth and deposit balances. Its Phase 2 strategic plan and targeted investments bolsters operating efficiency.
Sonos (SONO) Gains Momentum Through Product Innovation
Per the Zacks analyst, Sonos' product innovation and the addition of features to existing products bode well. It announced the launch of Amp Multi, with additional products planned later in the year.
New Downgrades
Lower Volumes are a Concern for Flowers Foods' (FLO) Core Business
Per the Zacks analyst, soft volumes remain a concern for Flowers Foods. In fourth quarter, total company volume declined 2.2%, reflecting weakness in traditional loaf and other core bread categories.
Increasing Expenses, High Debt Level Ail Unum Group (UNM)
Per the Zacks analyst, Unum Group's rising total benefits and expenses continue to weigh on margin while high debt level inducing deterioration in leverage and interest coverage ratio concern.
ICON (ICLR) Under Pressure From Debt, Delays and FX Risks
The Zacks analyst is concerned with ICON facing weak solvency, rising costs, biotech budget delays, stiff CRO competition and FX headwinds, pressuring revenues and near-term growth outlook.
Just Released: Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2026
Hurry – you can still get in early on our 10 top tickers for 2026. Handpicked by Zacks Director of Research Sheraz Mian, this portfolio has been stunningly and consistently successful.
From inception in 2012 through November, 2025, the Zacks Top 10 Stocks gained +2,530.8%, more than QUADRUPLING the S&P 500’s +570.3%.
Sheraz has combed through 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank and handpicked the best 10 to buy and hold in 2026. You can still be among the first to see these just-released stocks with enormous potential.
See New Top 10 Stocks >>
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Carvana Co. (CVNA) : Free Stock Analysis Report
SIFCO Industries, Inc. (SIF): Free Stock Analysis Report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Top Research Reports for Meta, Netflix & Pfizer

Key Points
Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are leaders in the GLP-1 market.
This class of drugs has been in high demand among people aiming to shed pounds.
One of the biggest growth markets in the pharmaceutical industry today is that of weight loss drugs. Novo Nordisk got the ball rolling when it launched Ozempic back in 2017. The drug, part of the GLP-1 class, was approved for type 2 diabetes but also proved to be useful for weight loss. Novo Nordisk followed up by winning approval for the same ingredient -- semaglutide -- under the name Wegovy for weight loss.
Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) soon joined with tirzepatide, commercialized as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and as Zepbound for obesity. Though Novo led the market in the early days, Lilly soon gained ground -- and slipped ahead. Today, Lilly holds a 60% share of the U.S. market for these kinds of drugs.
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And now Lilly just took two major steps forward in this billion-dollar market. Here's what you need to know.
How GLP-1 drugs work
Let's start with a few quick notes on GLP-1 drugs and Lilly's path along this road so far. GLP-1 drugs soared to popularity with the release of Ozempic as doctors and patients realized their weight-loss potential. These drugs act on hormonal pathways involved in digestion, so they help in the key areas of appetite and blood sugar control.
Today's drugs come in injectable format, administered on a weekly basis. The one exception is the recently approved Wegovy pill -- and regulators are reviewing Lilly's oral weight loss candidate, orforglipron, right now, so a second pill option may be on the horizon.
Novo held the first-to-market advantage, but in recent years, Lilly's drugs have taken the lead. One reason for this may be due to efficacy. In a head-to-head trial, for example, Zepbound helped patients lose more weight than Wegovy. All of this has resulted in soaring revenue and stock performance for Lilly.
Now, let's turn to the latest pieces of news that could push this company further ahead. Novo's CagriSema, a GLP-1 and amylin analogue combo that's currently under regulatory review, didn't beat Lilly's Zepbound in a phase 3 trial. CagriSema -- in a dose of 2.4 mg of cagrilintide and 2.4 mg of semaglutide -- delivered weight loss of 23% over 84 weeks. That's compared to weight loss of more than 25% for 15 mg dosage of tirzepatide.
A positive sign for Lilly
CagriSema, which acts on additional pathways involved in weight control, has been seen as a potential product to rival the Lilly drug -- so this latest trial result isn't good news for Novo. But it is positive for Lilly, as it adds to evidence that Zepbound may be the most effective drug available.
The second piece of news isn't related to efficacy, but it is related to something else that's important to patients: convenience. Lilly just released a new Zepbound format that holds a month's worth of doses in a single pen. This could make treatment easier for patients while they're traveling, for example, as they don't have to carry around as many devices. Mounjaro already is available in this format, called the KwikPen.
This latest news, reinforcing the efficacy and convenience of Zepbound, clearly should work in Lilly's favor in the quarters to come. It's important to remember that this market is growing too, with analysts expecting it to reach nearly $100 billion over the coming four years. And Lilly's orforglipron and farther down the road, other potential drugs could add to growth as this story unfolds.
Facing competition
Of course, Lilly likely will face increasing competition in the coming years. Novo remains a significant player, and other potential market participants -- from Pfizer to Viking Therapeutics -- could take some market share. These companies and others are studying weight loss candidates in clinical trials right now.
Lilly could lose momentum if a rival enters the market with a stronger product. So far, though, Lilly's current products and its pipeline, as well as its massive investments in manufacturing, show its ambition in this market. And that means it has a solid chance of staying ahead and delivering long-term growth to investors.
Should you buy stock in Eli Lilly right now?
Before you buy stock in Eli Lilly, consider this:
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Adria Cimino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Pfizer. The Motley Fool recommends Novo Nordisk and Viking Therapeutics. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Eli Lilly Just Took 2 Major Steps Forward in the Billion-Dollar Obesity Drug Market. Here's What You Need to Know.

Johnson & Johnson JNJ is one of the key pharmaceutical players in the oncology segment with significant expertise in blood cancers and solid tumors. It is the #1 company in multiple myeloma, with key drug Darzalex being considered the foundational gold standard treatment. Darzalex generated more than $14 billion in sales in 2025, rising 22% year over year and still going strong.
Its Oncology segment comprises around 27% of total revenues and 42% of its Innovative Medicine segment sales. Its oncology sales rose 20.9% on an operational basis in 2025, driven by strong market growth and share gains of key products such as Darzalex and prostate cancer drug, Erleada. The sales growth was partially dampened by lower sales of Imbruvica.
Three of J&J’s new cancer drugs are Carvykti, a BCMA CAR-T therapy for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, Tecvayli for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma and Talvey, a novel bispecific therapy for heavily pretreated multiple myeloma. These drugs also contributed to top-line growth in 2026. Combined, they generated $3.0 billion in sales in 2025.
J&J expects the momentum to continue and targets its oncology sales to reach $50 billion by 2030. Though quite bullish, J&J seems quite confident that it can meet the target, citing strong growth in its marketed cancer drugs and new launches like Inlexzoh/TAR-200 in high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and the subcutaneous formulation of Rybrevant plus Lazcluze for advanced EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer.
Inlexzoh, which was initially approved in the United States in September last year, is the first-of-its-kind drug-releasing system to provide sustained local delivery of a cancer treatment directly into the bladder. The subcutaneous formulation of Rybrevant plus Lazcluze was approved in the EU in April 2025 and in the United States in December 2025.
J&J believes its new cancer drugs, Talvey, Tecvayli and Rybrevant plus Lazcluze, have the potential to deliver peak sales of $5 billion.
Meanwhile, J&J’s oncology pipeline has gained strong momentum in the last couple of years with promising developments in colorectal and head and neck cancers. J&J is also building its oncology pipeline through M&A deals. Last year, it acquired Halda Therapeutics, which added a promising clinical-stage treatment for prostate cancer with potential across multiple tumor types.
Competition in the Oncology Space
Other large players in the oncology space are Pfizer PFE, AstraZeneca AZN, Merck MRK and Bristol-Myers.
Oncology sales comprise around 27% of Pfizer’s total revenues. Its oncology revenues grew 8% in 2025, driven by drugs like Xtandi, Lorbrena, the Braftovi-Mektovi combination and Padcev, which made up for declining sales of drugs like Ibrance. Pfizer also has a robust pipeline of cancer candidates with a focus on multiple modalities, including small molecules, ADCs and immuno-oncology biologics.
For AstraZeneca, oncology sales now comprise around 44% of total revenues. Sales in its oncology segment rose 14% at constant exchange rate (CER) in 2025. AstraZeneca’s strong oncology performance was driven by medicines such as Tagrisso, Lynparza, Imfinzi, Calquence and Enhertu (in partnership with Daiichi Sankyo).
Merck’s key oncology medicines are PD-L1 inhibitor, Keytruda and PARP inhibitor, Lynparza, which it markets in partnership with AstraZeneca. Keytruda, approved for several types of cancer, alone accounts for more than 50% of Merck’s pharmaceutical sales. Keytruda recorded sales of $31.7 billion in 2025, up 7% year over year.
Bristol-Myers’ key cancer drug is PD-L1 inhibitor, Opdivo, which accounts for around 21% of its total revenues. Opdivo’s sales rose 8% to $10 billion in 2025.
JNJ’s Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates
J&J’s shares have outperformed the industry in the past year. The stock has risen 51% in the past year compared with a 12.7% appreciation of the industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, J&J is slightly expensive. Going by the price/earnings ratio, the company’s shares currently trade at 21.11 forward earnings, higher than 18.69 for the industry. The stock is also trading above its five-year mean of 15.65.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings has risen from $11.49 to $11.54 over the past 60 days, while that for 2027 has gone up from $12.24 per share to $12.40 per share over the same timeframe.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
J&J has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) currently. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Zacks Names #1 Semiconductor Stock
This under-the-radar company specializes in semiconductor products that titans like NVIDIA don't build. It's uniquely positioned to take advantage of the next growth stage of this market. And it's just beginning to enter the spotlight, which is exactly where you want to be.
With strong earnings growth and an expanding customer base, it's positioned to feed the rampant demand for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Internet of Things. Global semiconductor manufacturing is projected to explode from $452 billion in 2021 to $971 billion by 2028.
See This Stock Now for Free >>
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Can J&J Sustain Its Double-Digit Oncology Growth Streak?

Key Points
Pfizer is dealing with headwinds right now, but they aren't unusual headwinds in the pharmaceutical sector.
The company is taking aggressive actions to get back on track and recently stated it plans to support its dividend.
Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) is one of the world's largest and most respected pharmaceutical companies. That is an important backdrop for dividend investors to consider as they look at the stock's lofty 6.4% dividend yield. For reference, the average pharma stock has a yield of just 1.7%. There's a reason to buy Pfizer beyond the yield.
Pfizer gets you most of the way to 10%
If you buy Pfizer and collect that 6.4% dividend yield, you are roughly two-thirds of the way toward the 10% return that most investors expect from stocks over time. If you reinvest the dividends, you are effectively buying more shares while the stock is unloved. If the stock bounces back, you'll be leveraged to the upside.
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That said, the yield isn't just high on an absolute basis; it's also high relative to other drug stocks. So buying Pfizer as part of your healthcare allocation could help supercharge the income your portfolio generates. The problem, of course, is the risk that the lofty dividend payment can't be supported.
Pfizer is doing the right things
Pfizer's yield is so high because it has important drugs that are going to lose patent protection. That will lead to revenue declines for those drugs. Meanwhile, the company has had notable setbacks in its efforts to develop new drugs, including having to abandon an internally developed GLP-1 weight-loss drug.
These aren't actually unusual events in the pharmaceutical sector. Pfizer has muddled through tough patches like this before. And it is working quickly to address the issues it faces, buying a company with an attractive GLP-1 drug candidate and partnering with another to form a distribution deal. Pfizer isn't just hoping for the best; it is taking the steps needed to ensure better times are ahead.
What about that dividend?
Right now, Pfizer's dividend payout ratio is above 100%. That suggests the dividend comes with some risk, which is true. However, dividends are paid out of cash flow, not earnings, so a payout ratio can rise above 100% for a period without triggering a dividend cut. And Pfizer recently stated that it intends to support the current dividend.
Given Pfizer's long and successful history, it seems reasonable for more aggressive dividend investors to give management the benefit of the doubt. That's true with regard to both the business turnaround and the company's ability to support the dividend until performance improves.
Should you buy stock in Pfizer right now?
Before you buy stock in Pfizer, consider this:
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Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $409,970!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,174,241!*
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Reuben Gregg Brewer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Pfizer. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

This Dividend Giant Pfizer Could Turn a Boring Healthcare Allocation Into Serious Income

(RTTNews) - Hangzhou Sciwind Biosciences Co., Ltd. on Tuesday announced partnership with Pfizer China (PFE) to commercialize Ecnoglutide injection in Mainland China. Sciwind is eligible to receive up to $495 million in upfront, regulatory, and sales milestone payments.
Ecnoglutide was approved by the National Medical Products Administration in January for adults with type 2 diabetes and is currently under regulatory review for chronic weight management in adults.
Under the agreement, Sciwind will remain the marketing authorization holder and continue to oversee research and development, registration, manufacturing, and supply.
In clinical studies in Chinese patients, the drug achieved 15.1% placebo-adjusted weight loss, with 92.8% of patients reaching clinically meaningful weight reduction and more than 80% attaining HbA1c levels below 7%.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Sciwind Biosciences Partners Pfizer China To Commercialize Ecnoglutide

Key Points
It may be the right time for investors to start playing a little less offense and a little more defense.
The best defensive names, however, are shares of businesses that continue to generate cash flow regardless of the economic environment.
While a sizable dividend yield has its obvious upsides, there's much to be said for a dividend payment's longevity and potential for continued growth.
Does your portfolio need some new income investments? Maybe you're looking for a little more certainty -- and defensiveness -- now that a few too many risky growth stocks are overbought as well as overvalued? Whatever your goal is, here's a rundown of my five favorite dividend stocks to buy right now.
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1. PepsiCo
Coca-Cola is one of the top go-to dividend names within the consumer goods space, and for obvious reasons. Not only is it the biggest beverage company (as measured by market cap), but it owns some of the most entrenched brand names.
If you're looking to step into one dividend-paying consumer staples name today, however, I'd opt for rival PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) while its forward-looking dividend yield is 3.5% versus Coke's 2.6%. Although PepsiCo's higher yield is ultimately the result of the stock's relative underperformance stemming from weakness with its food and snack business (PepsiCo owns Lay's as well as Quaker Oats), several initiatives like chips without artificial dyes and higher-protein options are finally starting to make a positive impact on its top and bottom lines. This success just isn't yet being fully reflected in this ticker's price.
2. Pfizer
You may already know that pharmaceutical outfit Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) hasn't been able to match its COVID-driven 2022 revenue of just over $100 billion. It was so focused on responding to the pandemic that it let its pipeline and portfolio get a little thin. The stock has paid the price ever since.
The company hasn't simply been sitting on its hands, however. Although it's still got work to do, after some acquisitions and continued research and development (R&D) efforts, Pfizer expects to launch eight new blockbuster drugs (drugs with annual revenue in excess of $1 billion) by 2030, with new drugs expected to produce a total of $20 billion worth of yearly revenue by 2030. That should pump its annual top line up from around $60 billion now to $80 billion then, with recent acquisitions like 2022's purchase of Arena Pharmaceuticals and 2023's $43 billion acquisition of oncology specialist Seagen setting the stage for continued revenue growth beyond 2030.
The point is, the future looks brighter than the recent past, and brighter than the stock's recent performance suggests. You can get in while Pfizer's forward-looking yield stands at 6.3%.
3. Realty Income
Realty Income (NYSE: O) technically isn't a stock. Rather, it's a real estate investment trust, or REIT for short. That just means the organization owns a bunch of revenue-bearing real estate, like office buildings, hotels, and apartment complexes. And as long as most of its rental income is passed along to shareholders in the form of dividends, this profit isn't first taxed at the corporate level. This ultimately means more net cash flow for investors.
And Realty Income has done a fantastic job of passing profits along to investors. Not only has it paid a monthly -- yes, monthly -- dividend like clockwork since 1969, it's raised its per-share payment every year for over 31 years. Newcomers would be getting in at a yield of right around 5%.
Realty Income's specialty is brick-and-mortar retailing, by the way. Its top tenants include 7-Eleven, Dollar General, FedEx, and Home Depot. While this can be alarming in light of the retail industry's ongoing headwind stemming from the proliferation of online shopping, this REIT's occupancy rate of 98.7% underscores the fact that it's working with the retailing business's most resilient names.
4. Verizon
You may never see a great deal of capital appreciation with a stake in wireless telecom giant Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ). What it lacks in raw growth firepower, however, it more than makes up for with income. The stock's forward-looking dividend yield right now is 5.8%, and its per-share quarterly payment has now been upped for 19 consecutive years.
This growth streak isn't apt to end anytime soon, either, if ever.
See, for better or worse, the 98% of American adults who say they own a mobile phone are wildly dependent on them, if not outright addicted to them. Harmony Healthcare IT reports Americans spend an average of more than five hours per day looking at the smartphone's screen. It's unlikely most of these people are going to give up their mobile connection to the rest of the world now. They'll gladly pay a monthly fee over and over again to maintain this service.
5. IBM
Last but not least, I'm adding International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM) -- you know it as IBM -- to my list of favorite dividend stocks to buy right now.
Yes, this technology stock is one of the few that pays a respectable dividend. It's currently yielding 2.6%, but more than that, it's raised its payment every year for the past 30 years.
More of the same is likely, too. Why? It's the company's largely overlooked business model.
While you may know it as a hardware company, nearly half of IBM's revenue actually comes from software that's run on its systems, while another 30% of its sales comes from consulting services... much of which is also about its own hardware. This is high-margin revenue, too.
Perhaps of more interest to income-minded investors, a great deal of this high-margin revenue is recurring. The company's software subscriptions' annualized recurring revenue run rate now stands at $23.6 billion, or roughly one-third of IBM's total top line. This steady cash flow supports an equally steady dividend.
Should you buy stock in PepsiCo right now?
Before you buy stock in PepsiCo, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and PepsiCo wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $424,262!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,163,635!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 904% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 194% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of February 22, 2026.
James Brumley has positions in Coca-Cola. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Home Depot, International Business Machines, Pfizer, and Realty Income. The Motley Fool recommends FedEx and Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

My 5 Favorite Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now

Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) offers a rare mix of scale, stability, and a 6% dividend yield that few large caps can match. With steady cash flow, modest valuation, and analyst upside, this defensive giant may be quietly positioning for a rebound. I explore whether this is a true income opportunity or a misunderstood value play in 2026.
Stock prices used were the market prices of Feb. 13, 2026. The video was published on Feb. 19, 2026.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
Should you buy stock in Pfizer right now?
Before you buy stock in Pfizer, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Pfizer wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $424,262!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,163,635!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 904% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 194% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of February 21, 2026.
Rick Orford has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Pfizer. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Rick Orford is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through their link, they will earn some extra money that supports their channel. Their opinions remain their own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Massive News: Pfizer's 6% Dividend Could Be Safer Than You Think

Key Points
The stock offers a lofty 6.2% yield, and management has declared its intent to support its dividend.
The pharmaceutical giant has fallen behind competitors, but is making aggressive moves to catch up.
Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) recently had to drop its internally developed GLP-1 weight loss drug candidate. The unfortunate outcome is that the company has had to watch rivals Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly build early leads in this fast-growing drug niche.
With Pfizer facing patent expirations ahead -- and now this GLP-1 setback -- Wall Street remains downbeat on the stock. But that's a potential opportunity for long-term investors.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
Pfizer is a high-yield opportunity
Pfizer's dividend yield is a lofty 6.2%. That's well above the 1.1% yield offered by the S&P 500 index and the 1.7% yield of the average pharmaceutical stock. And the company recently provided longer-term financial guidance that included a commitment to maintaining the dividend.
To be fair, the payout ratio is currently over 100%, so there is some risk. But management and the board of directors appear to believe they can sustain the dividend while the company works to improve business performance. Luckily, dividends are paid out of cash flow, not earnings, so a payout ratio of 100% or higher can be sustained over short periods.
Pfizer is acting quickly
The key to this story, however, is Pfizer's long and successful history. It is one of the world's largest and most respected pharmaceutical companies. It has navigated difficult periods before in a highly competitive, technologically advanced industry. And while the GLP-1 setback was bad, it was hardly the end of the story. In fact, Pfizer has already gotten back in the game with an acquisition and a distribution partnership.
While Pfizer is still developing the long-acting GLP-1 drug it bought, the company has proven it can pivot quickly when needed. And it is working on other opportunities in the migraine and oncology spaces, so GLP-1 drugs aren't the only story to watch.
Pfizer is a turnaround story
Meanwhile, Pfizer's price-to-sales, price-to-book value, and price-to-forward P/E ratios are all below their five-year averages. That, coupled with the lofty yield, suggests the stock is trading hands at an attractive valuation. Improved business performance could be a few years in the making, but you'll be paid well to wait for better days.
All in all, Pfizer isn't for the faint of heart, as it is really a turnaround story right now. However, investors don't appear to be giving the company enough credit based on its long history of success. If you like owning underrated stocks, this healthcare giant could be a good fit for your dividend portfolio today.
Should you buy stock in Pfizer right now?
Before you buy stock in Pfizer, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Pfizer wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $415,256!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,151,865!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 892% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 194% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of February 20, 2026.
Reuben Gregg Brewer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Pfizer. The Motley Fool recommends Novo Nordisk. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Is Pfizer Stock an Underrated Healthcare Investment Play?

Key Points
Pfizer has reached a transition point following declines of some of its biggest blockbusters.
The pharma giant is paving the way to growth through new products and acquisitions.
Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) is the name behind one of the world's top-selling products: the coronavirus vaccine. It brought in more than $37 billion at its peak in 2022 and helped the company achieve $100 billion in annual revenue.
Since that time, demand for coronavirus vaccines has declined, and Pfizer also faces the loss of exclusivity of certain older blockbuster drugs. But this pharma giant is managing this transition period well and may be heading into a new era of growth.
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks »
Is Pfizer stock the only big pharma name I'd buy and hold through any market crash? Let's find out.
Losing exclusivity
As mentioned, Pfizer looked different a few years ago than it does today. The company generated an enormous amount of revenue from the coronavirus vaccine as well as some of its older blockbusters, such as blood thinner Eliquis and breast cancer drug Ibrance. But these products no longer represent major growth for Pfizer. The former has seen a decline in demand, and the latter, as well as others, face patent expiration.
Pfizer saw this coming and prepared. The pharma company realigned costs to reflect the coronavirus vaccine revenue opportunity and shifted its focus to in-house research and development as well as growth through acquisition. In fact, key acquisitions may help supercharge growth as of now and into the coming years.
Pfizer's purchase of Seagen offered it several commercialized drugs, including Padcev for bladder cancer -- that product has been delivering double-digit growth and reached blockbuster status, generating more than $1 billion in annual revenue. The pharma giant has put a focus on oncology, and the Seagen purchase helped it gather momentum in this area.
A path to the weight loss drug market
Another key business development move was Pfizer's purchase of Metsera, a company developing candidates for weight loss. The weight loss drug market, led by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk today, represents great opportunity, and there's room for several players to succeed. Analysts expect that market to approach $100 billion by the end of the decade.
Pfizer is investigating monthly dosing for the Metsera candidate -- that could be a plus, as today's weight loss drugs dose weekly. And 10 obesity studies taking place this year are in phase 3, suggesting a candidate may not be too far from commercialization.
Meanwhile, during this transition stage, Pfizer has reported double-digit revenue growth from recent launches and acquired products. They brought in more than $10 billion last year, up from $8.9 billion a year earlier. And the company is on track to meet cost-savings goals by the end of this year and reinvest $500 million in research and development.
Pfizer is firing on all cylinders and building a surefire path to growth -- that's why it may be the best big pharma name to hold during any difficult time, such as a future market crash.
Should you buy stock in Pfizer right now?
Before you buy stock in Pfizer, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Pfizer wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $420,595!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,152,356!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 899% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 194% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of February 20, 2026.
Adria Cimino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Pfizer. The Motley Fool recommends Novo Nordisk. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Is Pfizer Stock the Only Big Pharma Name I'd Buy and Hold Through Any Market Crash?

Key Points
Pfizer has made the investments needed to get its drug pipeline back on track.
United Parcel Service's turnaround effort is starting to show progress.
The U.S. market appears to be rotating away from high-flying tech stocks. With other stocks, including dividend payers, getting more attention, it has become more difficult to find attractive high-yield opportunities. However, Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) could still be of interest to investors willing to dip into turnarounds.
Here's what you need to know.
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks »
Pfizer has rebuilt its pipeline
Pfizer is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies. Its dividend currently yields 6.2%, and the company has specifically stated that it wants to maintain the dividend at its current level. That's the starting point for this high-yield turnaround play.
The bigger story is that Pfizer has acted quickly to address a shortfall in the GLP-1 weight loss space by making an acquisition and creating a distribution partnership. It is still behind the curve, but its long-acting drug candidate could mean a monthly shot instead of weekly.
That could be enough to get Pfizer back in the game, which is a testament to the company's capabilities in the drug sector. It also has opportunities in oncology and migraines ahead.
If you are willing to take on a little more risk for significantly more yield, Pfizer could be a good high-yield investment idea for you today.
United Parcel Service is starting to turn
UPS is one of the world's largest package delivery companies. The yield is currently 5.5%.
The stock price has started to turn higher in recent months because of early signs that the turnaround in place is working. The big-picture goal is to refocus the company on its most profitable business, including shifting away from high-volume, but low-profit-margin customers.
Notably, the industrial company's U.S. business saw a volume decline but higher profitability per piece in 2025. And its higher-margin business-to-business operations grew in size. This is exactly what management has been attempting to achieve. No wonder investors are more upbeat about UPS today than they were just a few months ago.
Turnaround stocks require more attention, but UPS could be worthwhile if you think long-term. And UPS' 2026 guidance suggests that the dividend is safe. If the company can continue the current business trends, improved earnings could make the dividend not just safe, but also sustainable over the long term.
Two high-yield options worth a second look
Investors have shifted gears, which is making it more difficult to find dividend stocks. But if you like high-yield investments, Pfizer and UPS are moving in the right direction, business-wise, and continue to have very large dividend yields.
Should you buy stock in United Parcel Service right now?
Before you buy stock in United Parcel Service, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and United Parcel Service wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $420,595!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,152,356!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 901% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 194% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of February 19, 2026.
Reuben Gregg Brewer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Pfizer and United Parcel Service. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Pfizer, Inc.

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