Based on the aggregated intelligence of 150,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, French drugmaker sanofi-aventis
With that in mind, let's take a closer look at Sanofi's business and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.
sanofi-aventis facts
Headquarters (Founded) |
Paris, France (1970) |
Market Cap |
$99.4 billion |
Industry |
Pharmaceuticals |
Trailing-12-Month Revenue |
$44 billion |
Management |
CEO Christopher Viehbacher CFO Jerome Contamine |
Trailing-12-Month Return on Equity |
11.3% |
Compound Annual Revenue and Net Income Growth (Over Past 5 Years) |
14.3% and 21.5% |
Dividend Yield |
4.3% |
Competitors |
GlaxoSmithKline
Merck
Pfizer |
Other Highly Rated Pharmaceutical Stocks |
Johnson & Johnson
Novartis
Bristol-Myers Squibb |
Sources: Capital IQ (a division of Standard & Poor's) and Motley Fool CAPS.
On CAPS, 95% of the 809 members who have rated Sanofi believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward. These bulls include All-Star mrindependent, who is ranked in the top 1% of our community, and CoachBen.
Just one week ago, mrindependent tapped Sanofi as a healthy way to make some steady income: "I like the sustainable 4.4% yield and the low valuation -- at just over 8 times expected earnings. The balance statement is in good shape."
In an earlier pitch, CoachBen also made a rather heartfelt case for the stock:
Solid financials. Balanced markets make is less vulnerable to fluctuations in US market. Finally, even without gang-buster success with the HIV vaccine, they have some great new products.
One such product is Multaq. Working in Cardiology, I see firsthand how this medication is swooping in to take the place of the most widely used heart rhythm medicines. ... It is safe in elderly populations and I expect to see its indications expanded. Hopefully in 2010 it will become a tier two drug and when that happens, usage is going to explode.
What do you think about sanofi-aventis, or any other stock for that matter? If you want to retire rich, you need to put together the best portfolio you can. Owning exceptional stocks is a surefire way to secure your financial future, and on Motley Fool CAPS, thousands of investors are working every day to find them. CAPS is 100% free, so get started!