Every investor would love to stumble upon the perfect stock. But will you ever really find a stock that provides everything you could possibly want?
One thing's for sure: You'll never discover truly great investments unless you actively look for them. Let's discuss the ideal qualities of a perfect stock, then decide if Onyx Pharmaceuticals
The quest for perfection
Stocks that look great based on one factor may prove horrible elsewhere, making due diligence a crucial part of your investing research. The best stocks excel in many different areas, including these important factors:
- Growth. Expanding businesses show healthy revenue growth. While past growth is no guarantee that revenue will keep rising, it's certainly a better sign than a stagnant top line.
- Margins. Higher sales mean nothing if a company can't produce profits from them. Strong margins ensure that company can turn revenue into profit.
- Balance sheet. At debt-laden companies, banks and bondholders compete with shareholders for management's attention. Companies with strong balance sheets don't have to worry about the distraction of debt.
- Money-making opportunities. Return on equity helps measure how well a company is finding opportunities to turn its resources into profitable business endeavors.
- Valuation. You can't afford to pay too much for even the best companies. By using normalized figures, you can see how a stock's simple earnings multiple fits into a longer-term context.
- Dividends. For tangible proof of profits, a check to shareholders every three months can't be beat. Companies with solid dividends and strong commitments to increasing payouts treat shareholders well.
With those factors in mind, let's take a closer look at Onyx Pharmaceuticals.
|
Factor |
What We Want to See |
Actual |
Pass or Fail? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growth | 5-Year Annual Revenue Growth > 15% | 365.5% | Pass |
| 1-Year Revenue Growth > 12% | 21.9% | Pass | |
| Margins | Gross Margin > 35% | 31.6% | Fail |
| Net Margin > 15% | (24.2%) | Fail | |
| Balance Sheet | Debt to Equity < 50% | 25.4% | Pass |
| Current Ratio > 1.3 | 12.30 | Pass | |
| Opportunities | Return on Equity > 15% | (12.4%) | Fail |
| Valuation | Normalized P/E < 20 | NM | NM |
| Dividends | Current Yield > 2% | 0% | Fail |
| 5-Year Dividend Growth > 10% | 0% | Fail | |
|
|
|||
| Total Score | 4 out of 9 |
Source: S&P Capital IQ. NM = not meaningful due to negative earnings. Total score = number of passes.
With a score of 4, Onyx Pharmaceuticals hasn't hit perfection just yet. But the small biotech company has gotten a lot of positive news lately that could push it in that direction.
For a fledgling biotech, Onyx actually has a great pipeline. Its blockbuster cancer drug, Nexavar, gives the company most of its revenue, but it also has the multiple-myeloma fighting carfilzomib in trials for several indications. That combination is perfect for Onyx because its approved drug provides cash flow for further development. In addition, it makes Onyx the fastest-growing biotech stock over the past five years, beating out even Dendreon
In the past month, Onyx has gotten two great boosts. A couple of weeks ago, the company settled a lawsuit with Bayer over Nexavar. Because the drug is responsible for pretty much all of Onyx's revenue, the settlement not only freed up uncertainty about Nexavar's future but also will give Onyx $160 million from Bayer in exchange for the rights to market the drug in Japan. Now, the partners can focus on fighting Pfizer
Onyx doesn't have the field to itself, of course. With Pfizer, Novartis
Keep searching
No stock is a sure thing, but some stocks are a lot closer to perfect than others. By looking for the perfect stock, you'll go a long way toward improving your investing prowess and learning how to separate out the best investments from the rest.
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Finding the perfect stock is only one piece of a successful investment strategy. Get the big picture by taking a look at our "13 Steps to Investing Foolishly."
