Is it turnaround time for biotech stocks?
That's the question I posed in March, in a previous version of this column. Since then, biotech stocks have experienced a bit of volatility. According to SmartMoney's Sector Tracker, biotechs were up a collective 10% for the year that ended in May. But they've given back some of those gains in the past five months, and they're now up just 7.06% over the past 52 weeks.
The hottest stocks over the past year include Savient Pharmaceuticals and Onyx Pharmaceuticals, each of which is up more than 90% since last October. Biosite Pharmaceuticals also delivered great returns for its shareholders in 2007, due mostly to a bidding war between Beckman Coulter
But despite some positive gains, biotech stocks as a group still trail the S&P 500 for the year. Laggards in the sector include CV Therapeutics
The current biotech funk comes on the heels of a very good 2005. The Biotech HOLDRs ETF surged 31%, and the sector was anchored by big winners such as Arena Pharmaceuticals
Get 'em while they're cold
According to Fool biotech guru Charly Travers, "2006 was a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde year for biotech. The first half of the year was terrible, but the sector came on strong at the end. Frankly, every year is like that with these companies. If you look back over the last five years at the performance of the Nasdaq Biotech Index, you will see every single year had a major pullback at some time or another."
During last year's pullback, some of the major biotech companies took advantage and snapped up some smaller players. For instance, Eli Lilly nabbed Icos, and Gilead Sciences added Myogen after each stock traded downward. Gilead is already seeing the benefits of the Myogen acquisition: The FDA approved its pulmonary arterial hypertension drug, Letairis, in June.
No news is good news
Since the biotech sector has largely underperformed the market in recent years, now is a good time to start researching investment ideas in the industry. After all, health-care spending is rising at record rates. Moreover, many small biotech companies have enormous potential in their research programs. They should be considered for at least a slice of a larger portfolio, simply because of their total return prospects. The best 50 stocks of the past 10 years include Immucor
That said, this is an inherently volatile sector, and it should be treated as such. A few failed FDA screenings could send a small biotech stock straight to the compost heap.
So how do you separate the winners from the losers when it comes to small biotech companies? Charly recommends looking for companies that:
- Use proven technologies (like molecule or monoclonal antibody drugs).
- Have qualified management with a track record of solid decision-making.
- Are solidifying partnerships with more established industry players.
If you'd like to learn more about a few promising biotechs, our Motley Fool Rule Breakers growth investing service can help. Led by Motley Fool co-founder David Gardner, Rule Breakers has selected a handful of biotech stocks they think are poised for growth. In fact, one of Charly's best picks, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, is up 210% since its recommendation in February 2005.
You can take a look at all of our past recommendations and research for 30 days, free of charge. Simply click here to take advantage of a free trial -- there's no obligation to subscribe.
This article was originally published on March 26, 2007. It has been updated.
Fool contributor Todd Wenning's random '90s movie of the day is Dazed and Confused, starring Matthew McConaughey. He does not own shares of any company mentioned. Eli Lilly is an Income Investor choice. CV Therapeutics is a Rule Breakers pick. The Fool's disclosure policy knows there's always a party at the Moon Tower.
