I remember when Big Pharma represented the heart of a defensive portfolio. Companies like Merck (NYSE:MRK) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) were seen as all-weather recession-resistant stocks.
They all seem so mortal these days. All it takes is a stumble. Just ask Wyeth (NYSE:WYE) about the fen-phen fallout, or Merck about Vioxx. Over at Pfizer (NYSE:PFE), take your pick between Celebrex and Bextra.
Thankfully, Pfizer has done a lot more good than bad out there. More importantly, when it was proven mortal, the Motley Fool Inside Value newsletter was able to get in at an attractive price two years ago.
But what about today? Not all Fools agree. Ryan Fuhrmann is bullish on the drug giant. Brian Lawler is bearish.
Where do you stand? That's what this Duel is all about.
Duel on!
