El interés en corto de iShares U.S. Pharmaceutical ETF da a los inversores una idea del grado en que los inversores apuestan por la caída de las acciones de iShares U.S. Pharmaceutical ETF. Los datos de interés en corto se actualizan cada dos semanas.

iShares U.S. Pharmaceutical ETF (ARCA:IHE), Informe de interés en corto

iShares U.S. Pharmaceutical ETF

Healthcare

The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Dow Jones U.S. Select Pharmaceuticals Index (the Underlying Index), which measures the performance of the pharmaceuticals sector of the U.S. equity market, as defined by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (the Index Provider or SPDJI). The Underlying Index includes pharmaceutical companies such as manufacturers of prescription or over-the-counter drugs or vaccines. The Underlying Index may include large-, mid- or small-capitalization companies. As of March 31, 2024, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the healthcare and pharmaceuticals industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.

Johnson & Johnson

Eli Lilly & Co.

Viatris

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

Pfizer, Inc.

Zoetis Inc. [zts]

Royalty Pharma

Catalent, Inc.

Merck & Company Inc.

Intra-Cellular Therapies Inc

Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Plc

Corcept Therapeutics Inc

Elanco Animal Health Inc.

iShares US Pharmaceutical ETF

Novo Nordisk

Equities

FTXH

iShares Dow Jones US Pharmaceuticals Index Fund

KURE

PILL

Merrill Lynch Pharmaceutical HOLDRs Trust

RHHBY

Los aranceles de Trump podrían afectar a Novo Nordisk y otros gigantes farmacéuticos. Barclays advierte de impacto en márgenes y suministro.

Novo Nordisk, en la mira por los posibles aranceles farmacéuticos de Trump

Eli Lilly and Co.

Government

News

Markets

ABBV

AMGN

GILD

REGN

Trump quiere que las farmacéuticas vuelvan a EE. UU. ¿Cómo afectarán sus aranceles a las acciones del sector?

Trump presiona a farmacéuticas con aranceles para forzar regreso a EE. UU.

As the Donald Trump administration plans up to 200% tariffs on pharmaceutical companies, Emily Field, head of European pharma research at Barclays, has said that it&#8217;s hard to predict which firm would be affected the most by these tariffs, except for Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>).
Check out the current price of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NVO">NVO stock here</a>.
What Happened: Explaining that the pharmaceutical companies as a whole are &#8220;out of favor&#8221; for tariffs, Field <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/video/2025/07/14/barclays-the-pharma-sector-is-very-out-of-favor-for-tariffs.html">told</a> CNBC that it was hard to single out a company that could be the most affected by the levies.
&#8220;It&#8217;s really difficult to say because they have really complex supply chains and companies like to keep it under the wraps,&#8221; she said, adding that &#8220;Novo Nordisk has been called out just because we know a lot of active pharmaceutical ingredients for Wegovy are manufactured in Denmark, so that&#8217;s just one that investors have highlighted.&#8221;
She adds, &#8220;But that could also just be because we have a more concrete idea of how their drug flows. But for the most part, this sector is just very out of favor for tariffs.&#8221;
Talking about the European pharma companies that were planning to invest in the U.S., Field mentioned Novartis AG (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVS#NYSE">NVS</a>), Roche Holdings AG (OTCQX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RHHBY#OTCQX">RHHBY</a>), and AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZN#NASDAQ">AZN</a>).
&#8220;We have seen from a number of European companies very significant announcements about manufacturing investments in the United States. We have seen that from Novartis, Roche, and we also know that the companies are working with the administration on this &#8216;Most Favored Nation&#8217; (MFN) drug pricing policy,&#8221; she said.
She also added that AstraZeneca is likely considering changing its registration to the U.S. &#8220;All of the companies based in Europe are emphasizing that they are very committed to the U.S. and manufacturing in the U.S.&#8221;
According to Field, this is all connected in some way. &#8220;It could be a combination of tariffs and drug pricing that the industry and administration can strike a deal that is favorable to both parties,&#8221; Field explained.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/07/46400448/dan-ives-bets-on-cybersecurity-as-biggest-subsector-in-tech-for-2025-expects-strong-q2-earnings-from-crowdstrike-zscaler-palo-alto-check-point">Dan Ives Bets On Cybersecurity As &#8216;Biggest Subsector&#8217; In Tech For 2025; Expects Strong Q2 Earnings From CrowdStrike, Zscaler, Palo Alto, Check Point</a>
Why It Matters: Barclays has also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46364024/trump-threatens-200-pharma-tariffs-but-analyst-says-this-stock-is-immune-and-expected-to-benefit-from-levies">cautioned that a 200% pharma tariff</a> would &#8220;inflate production costs, compress profit margins, and risk supply chain disruptions." 
&#8220;We are waiting for the results of the Section 232 investigation from the Commerce Ministry, which is supposed to come by the end of the month. Prior to Trump saying that he was going to announce 200%, I think most have been expecting 25%; however, the industry&#8217;s response is that tariffs will be negative for patients, as it could result in drug shortages,&#8221; Feild said.
These are some pharma ETFs that could be impacted as the long-awaited industry-wide tariffs would be announced &#8220;very soon,&#8221; according to Trump.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Pharma ETFs</td>
<td>YTD Performance</td>
<td>One-Year Performance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PPH#NASDAQ">PPH</a>)</td>
<td>0.45%</td>
<td>-6.90%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>iShares US Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IHE#NYSE">IHE</a>)</td>
<td>1.01%</td>
<td>-3.91%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Invesco Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PJP#NYSE">PJP</a>)</td>
<td>-1.22%</td>
<td>-3.19%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPDR S&amp;P Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPH#NYSE">XPH</a>)</td>
<td>-1.95%</td>
<td>-1.55%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KraneShares MSCI All China Health Care Index ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KURE#NYSE">KURE</a>)</td>
<td>29.34%</td>
<td>33.78%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTXH#NASDAQ">FTXH</a>)</td>
<td>-3.88%</td>
<td>-8.36%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical &amp; Medical (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PILL#NYSE">PILL</a>)</td>
<td>-18.59%</td>
<td>-24.16%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, ended mixed on Tuesday. The SPY was down 0.43% at $622.14, while the QQQ advanced 0.092% to $556.72, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pr</a>o data.
On Wednesday, the futures of the S&amp;P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq 100 indices were trading lower.
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Photo courtesy: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock.com

Trump's Pharma Tariffs Can Hit Novo Nordisk, Says Barclays Expert, But It's 'Difficult' To Predict As Drugmakers Have 'Complex Supply Chains'

While President Donald Trump's proposed 200% tariffs on pharmaceutical imports could potentially squeeze the profit margins, this stock is poised to &#8220;benefit&#8221; from the levies. 
What Happened: Trump announced on Tuesday that the pharma tariffs, part of a Section 232 investigation launched in April, are expected to be detailed by month's end, with a grace period of "about a year, year and a half" before implementation.
Barclays cautioned that a 200% tariff would "inflate production costs, compress profit margins, and risk supply chain disruptions.&#8221; However, the delay offers little relief, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/11/trump-200percent-pharma-tariffs-threaten-to-push-up-drug-prices-hit-margins.html">as</a> CNBC reported, quoting UBS analysts that it's "insufficient time" for firms to relocate manufacturing, typically a four-to-five-year process. 
But despite the potential negative impact on pharma companies, Louis Navellier told <a href="https://www.benzinga.com">Benzinga </a>that Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) is &#8220;expected to benefit from tariffs on pharmaceutical imports, since the company has been boosting its domestic manufacturing.&#8221;
Additionally, Thomas Shipp, head of equity research at LPL Financial, told <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga</a> that Lilly's attempt to try &#8220;to avoid PBMs,&#8221; exemplified by its direct-to-consumer model, &#8216;LillyDirect&#8217; in partnership with Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), positions it to bypass traditional pharmacy benefit managers, enhancing its resilience against tariff-related disruptions.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/07/46361386/bitcoin-breaches-118k-but-these-btc-mining-firms-are-still-priced-like-its-at-58k-heres-how-these-mining-stocks-could-explode">Bitcoin Breaches $118K, But These BTC Mining Firms Are Still Priced Like It&#8217;s At $58K: Here&#8217;s How These Mining Stocks Could Explode</a>
Why It Matters: Additionally, Lilly's strategic moves, including a $1.3 billion <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/m-a/25/06/45970361/eli-lilly-expands-into-gene-editing-with-verve-therapeutics-acquisition">acquisition of Verve Therapeutics</a>, signal its focus on innovation and U.S.-based growth. 
Ark Research noted that this acquisition validates gene-editing therapies for cardiovascular disease, a market with "trillions of dollars" in potential, as Lilly scales solutions like PCSK9-targeting therapies that reduce LDL-C by up to 69%.
Apart from the effects on the profitability of pharmaceutical companies, according to PhRMA, the tariffs could raise U.S. drug prices by $51 billion annually with just a 25% tariff levy, potentially increasing costs by 12.9%.
Price Action: Eli Lilly stock declined 0.078% in premarket on Friday; it was up 1.62% on a year-to-date basis but down by 15.36% over the last year.
Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings shows that LLY had a weak momentum and value ranking; however, its growth and quality metrics were very strong. The details of all the important indicators are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-4/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">available here</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="163" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/11071005/LLY-edge-1024x163.png" alt="" class="wp-image-981662" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/11071005/LLY-edge-1024x163.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/11071005/LLY-edge-300x48.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/11071005/LLY-edge-768x122.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/11071005/LLY-edge.png 1039w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
These are some pharma stocks and ETFs that could be impacted as Trump warned on Tuesday that long-awaited industry-wide tariffs would be announced "very soon".
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Pharma Stocks</td>
<td>YTD Performance</td>
<td>One Year Performance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eli Lilly And Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>)</td>
<td>1.62%</td>
<td>-15.36%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABBV#NYSE">ABBV</a>)</td>
<td>8.67%</td>
<td>14.77%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMY#NYSE">BMY</a>)</td>
<td>-14.56%</td>
<td>19.07%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/REGN#NASDAQ">REGN</a>)</td>
<td>-21.73%</td>
<td>-48.18%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>)</td>
<td>-3.12%</td>
<td>-10.05%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GILD#NASDAQ">GILD</a>)</td>
<td>24.66%</td>
<td>63.70%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Merck &amp; Co Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>)</td>
<td>-15.28%</td>
<td>-34.85%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMGN#NASDAQ">AMGN</a>)</td>
<td>15.85%</td>
<td>-7.60%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>)</td>
<td>9.49%</td>
<td>5.34%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Pharma ETFs</td>
<td>YTD Performance</td>
<td>One Year Performance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PPH#NASDAQ">PPH</a>)</td>
<td>3.50%</td>
<td>-3.73%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>iShares US Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IHE#NYSE">IHE</a>)</td>
<td>3.15%</td>
<td>-0.88%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Invesco Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PJP#NYSE">PJP</a>)</td>
<td>0.68%</td>
<td>-0.49%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPDR S&amp;P Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPH#NYSE">XPH</a>)</td>
<td>-0.16%</td>
<td>2.31%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KraneShares MSCI All China Health Care Index ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KURE#NYSE">KURE</a>)</td>
<td>25.74%</td>
<td>30.34%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTXH#NASDAQ">FTXH</a>)</td>
<td>-1.00%</td>
<td>-4.29%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical &amp; Medical (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PILL#NYSE">PILL</a>)</td>
<td>-14.12%</td>
<td>-14.74%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46336115/as-trump-calls-for-3-percentage-point-rate-cut-too-late-jerome-powell-to-resign-june-fed-minutes-sh">As Trump Calls For 3-Percentage Point Rate Cut, &#8216;Too Late&#8217; Jerome Powell To Resign, June Fed Minutes Show &#8216;Uncertainty&#8217; Reigns Supreme</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shuttertsock

AMZN

Trump Threatens 200% Pharma Tariffs, But Analyst Says This Stock Is Immune And Expected To 'Benefit' From Levies

A heated debate over the U.S. healthcare system erupted on X, pitting billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban against Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) over the root causes of soaring drug prices.
What Happened: The clash, unfolding as of Friday, has reignited discussions on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and Big Pharma's tax practices, with the Senate poised to address reform amid rising public scrutiny.
Enter Cuban, the Dallas Mavericks owner and founder of Cost Plus Drugs, who fired back with a pointed correction.
In a post quoting Warren, Cuban argued that PBMs—not Big Pharma—are the true culprits behind inflated drug prices.
&#8220;PBMs corrupt healthcare,&#8221; he wrote, explaining that these intermediaries control formularies and manipulate prices to maximize rebate revenue, with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45487788/trumps-drug-price-order-hits-pbms-hardest-cvs-cigna-unh-in-focus-as-experts-highlight-racket-and-pricing-distortion">three major PBMs</a> negotiating over 90% of rebates for commercial insurance plans. 
Warren, in her post, had blamed pharmaceutical giants like Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>) and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) for charging Americans the &#8220;highest drug prices in the world&#8221; while paying &#8220;zero dollars in federal taxes.&#8221;
Citing data from her Senate Finance Committee role, Warren highlighted how these companies, alongside AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABBV#NYSE">ABBV</a>), Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMGN#NASDAQ">AMGN</a>), and Merck &amp; Co Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>), have exploited tax loopholes from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to shield billions in profits.
&#8220;Republicans want to make it worse. I&#8217;m fighting back,&#8221; she declared, sharing <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/17/pfizer-merck-jj-others-face-scrutiny-over-tax-loophole-extension.html">a</a> CNBC headline and urging action against what she calls a &#8220;rigged tax system.&#8221; 
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">No. It&#39;s because PBMs corrupt healthcare. Big Pharma wishes they could set their own pricing. They don&#39;t. PBMs control formularies and manipulate prices, in exchange for providing pharma access to patients. It&#39;s how they maximize rebate revenue. In fact, 3 PBMs NEGOTIATE… <a href="https://t.co/GpN4mnzvOM">https://t.co/GpN4mnzvOM</a>
&mdash; Mark Cuban (@mcuban) <a href="https://twitter.com/mcuban/status/1935705831930298562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/06/46013679/dan-ives-says-market-is-massively-underestimating-this-ai-play-urges-investors-to-look-beyong-mag-7">Dan Ives Says Market Is ‘Massively Underestimating' This AI Play, Urges Investors To Look Beyond Mag 7</a>
Why It Matters: Cuban has been a c<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44674382/mark-cuban-says-big-insurance-companies-and-pbms-control-healthcare-costs-everyone-has-to-kiss-their-a-and-accept-the-complications">ritic of the healthcare system</a>, saying that it should be simple. According to him, it&#8217;s become overly complicated by big insurance companies and PBMs.
These groups, he says, act as middlemen, controlling not just the costs but also the accessibility of care.
He blames PBMs for lack of transparency, inflated specialty drug prices, rebate distortion, formulary restrictions, and &#8220;Sh–ing on&#8221; on independent pharmacies.
Some significant firms engaged in the PBM business listed in the U.S. include;
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Stocks</td>
<td>YTD Performance</td>
<td>One Year Performance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVS Health Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>)</td>
<td>51.15%</td>
<td>9.57%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cigna Group. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>)</td>
<td>14.54%</td>
<td>-6.95%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>)</td>
<td>-39.11%</td>
<td>-36.60%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Meanwhile, here is how some pharmaceutical sector ETFs have performed;
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Pharma ETFs</td>
<td>YTD Performance</td>
<td>One Year Performance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PPH#NASDAQ">PPH</a>)</td>
<td>1.69%</td>
<td>-4.48%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>iShares US Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IHE#NYSE">IHE</a>)</td>
<td>-0.49%</td>
<td>-1.85%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Invesco Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PJP#NYSE">PJP</a>)</td>
<td>-3.23%</td>
<td>-1.64%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPDR S&amp;P Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPH#NYSE">XPH</a>)</td>
<td>-4.06%</td>
<td>2.61%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KraneShares MSCI All China Health Care Index ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KURE#NYSE">KURE</a>)</td>
<td>20.55%</td>
<td>22.94%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTXH#NASDAQ">FTXH</a>)</td>
<td>-5.44%</td>
<td>-6.27%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical &amp; Medical (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PILL#NYSE">PILL</a>)</td>
<td>-23.49%</td>
<td>-14.63%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, were mixed in premarket on Friday. The SPY was down 0.30% at $595.67, while the QQQ was 0.015% higher at $529.07, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Insurance

Mark Cuban Corrects Elizabeth Warren As She Slams JNJ, PFE For Higher Prices And Zero Taxes On Big Pharma: 'PBMs Corrupt Healthcare'

On Monday, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., decided to fire all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a panel that plays a key role in shaping U.S. vaccine policy.
What Happened: In an <a href="https://www.wsj.com/opinion/rfk-jr-hhs-moves-to-restore-public-trust-in-vaccines-45495112">op-ed</a> published in the Wall Street Journal, Kennedy said that this clean sweep was necessary in order to &#8220;re-establish public confidence in vaccine science.&#8221; He argued that the current panel had become a &#8220;rubber stamp for any vaccine&#8221; and was compromised by &#8220;persistent conflicts of interest.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/06/45852346/elon-musk-recently-said-yes-to-impeaching-trump-and-the-odds-of-that-happening-in-2025-rose-on-this-crypto-betting-market">Elon Musk Recently Said &#8216;Yes&#8217; To Impeaching Trump And The Odds Of That Happening In 2025 Rose On This Crypto Betting Market</a>
Kennedy, who has been a vocal anti-vaccine activist even before becoming the country&#8217;s top health official, hasn&#8217;t mentioned who will be appointed to the panel, but has said that the panel would convene within two weeks in Atlanta, according to a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-cdc-acip-vaccines-3790c89f45b6314c5c7b686db0e3a8f9">report</a> from the Associated Press.
The ACIP advises the CDC on immunization schedules and insurance coverage guidance, and its recommendations thus carry immense sway on pharma and biotech stocks, especially those with a sizable vaccine portfolio.
Since the announcement was made, most stocks in the sector are in the red in after-hours trade,
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Stock / ETF</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">1 Day</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">After Hours</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Year-To-Date</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>)</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">+2.66%</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">-0.29%</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">-9.92%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Eli Lilly And Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>)</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">+0.50%</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">+0.15%</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">-0.56%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Moderna Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>) </td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">+2.48%</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">-0.85%</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">-33.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">BioNTech SE ADR (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BNTX#NASDAQ">BNTX</a>)</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">+0.44%</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">-0.26%</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">-5.49%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">iShares US Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IHE#NYSE">IHE</a>)</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">+0.24%</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">-2.47%</td>
<td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">+1.26%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Why It Matters: Kennedy has taken several steps against vaccination mandates in recent weeks, starting with the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45624037/robert-f-kennedy-jr-says-cdc-drops-covid-vaccine-for-healthy-pregnant-women-kids">removal of COVID vaccines</a> from the recommended immunization schedule for healthy pregnant women and children.
Around the same time, the Trump administration <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45663794/hhs-cancels-590m-moderna-bird-flu-vaccine-deal-casting-uncertainty-over-pandemic-preparedness-effort">terminated a $600 million contract</a> with Moderna for developing an mRNA-based bird flu vaccine, which was part of former President Joe Biden&#8217;s pandemic preparedness efforts. 
Dr. Matthew Ferrari of the Pennsylvania State University <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/health-care/25/06/45810364/rfk-jr-champions-medical-freedom-while-curtailing-access-say-public-health-experts">criticized the health secretary</a>, saying that &#8220;If you restrict access, you necessarily restrict choice,&#8221; referring to the removal of COVID vaccines from the CDC schedule.
Price Action: The iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF tracks several of the heavyweights across pharma and biotech. On Monday, the fund was up 0.24%, trading at $66.45 per share, but is now down 2.47% after hours.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="191" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/10010026/Screenshot-2025-06-10-at-10.30.08-AM-1024x191.png" alt="" class="wp-image-944102" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/10010026/Screenshot-2025-06-10-at-10.30.08-AM-1024x191.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/10010026/Screenshot-2025-06-10-at-10.30.08-AM-300x56.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/10010026/Screenshot-2025-06-10-at-10.30.08-AM-768x143.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/10010026/Screenshot-2025-06-10-at-10.30.08-AM.png 1178w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
The ETF is ranked in the 45th percentile according to Benzinga&#8217;s Edge Stock Rankings, and has a favorable price trend in the short term, but not so much in the medium and long term. Click <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">here</a> for deeper insights into the stock, as well as its alternatives. 
Photo Courtesy: Joshua Sukoff on Shutterstock.com
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BNTX

MRNA

Robert Kennedy Jr Axes Entire CDC Vaccine Panel To 'Restore Public Trust' — Pfizer, Moderna, Other Biotech Stocks Drop In After-Hours Trading

After Donald Trump signed an <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/05/45384935/trump-again-promises-lower-drug-prices-by-cutting-out-middlemen-like-unitedhealth-cvs-will-it-work-this-time">executive order</a> slashing drug prices last week, experts have highlighted how pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) could be hit the hardest despite pharmaceutical companies facing the potential of compressed margins amid poor pricing power.
What Happened: According to Thomas Shipp, the head of equity research at LPL Financial, the pressure that the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45389750/trump-claims-drug-price-crackdown-could-slash-your-prescription-costs-by-59-but-will-big-pharma-fight-it-again">pharmaceutical manufacturers</a> are facing to lower prices domestically, &#8220;has the potential to compress margins by eroding pricing power and would provide a significant headwind to drug manufacturer share prices.&#8221;
However, he explains that the &#8220;middlemen&#8221; or PBMs that facilitate drug distribution and negotiate with pharmaceutical drug manufacturers to lower prescription costs have come under scrutiny for opaque pricing practices, like retaining rebates from drug manufacturers and "spread pricing."
&#8220;PBMs pay pharmacies less than what they charge health plan participants for drugs,&#8221; he said.
Another April 15 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44866755/mark-cuban-says-this-trump-healthcare-order-could-save-hundreds-of-billions">executive order</a> signed by Trump called for increased transparency into PBM fees and requested that the role of these middlemen be reevaluated.
CVS Caremark, owned by CVS Health Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>), Express Scripts, owned by Cigna Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>), and OptumRx, owned by UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>), are the biggest PBM companies.
Shipp also underscored that PBM savings are expected, but direct price controls pose a longer-term risk for U.S.-heavy drugmakers. Transparency will reveal if PBM margin erosion can prevent deeper manufacturer cuts, he highlights.
&#8220;While many questions remain about how these executive orders will be implemented, after the initial news flow is digested, the net effect appears less detrimental to pharmaceutical drug manufacturers than to PBMs,&#8221; said Shipp.
&#8220;That said, reworking the way Americans buy their medicine is going to take a long time. Along the way, efforts to support direct-to-consumer sales will support both the manufacturers leading the charge and those they partner with for distribution,&#8221; he added.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/05/45465955/ark-invest-takes-swipe-at-mstr-mara-says-bitcoin-treasury-companies-dont-make-sense-fundin">Ark Invest Expert Takes Swipe At MSTR, MARA, Says &#8216;Bitcoin Treasury Companies Don&#8217;t Make Sense:&#8217; &#8216;Funding Purchases With Debt&#8230;Seems Like A Recipe For Disaster&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Meanwhile, the billionaire investor and Shark Tank fame, Mark Cuban, called PBMs a &#8220;racket&#8221; in an X post by explaining that they <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44674382/mark-cuban-says-big-insurance-companies-and-pbms-control-healthcare-costs-everyone-has-to-kiss-their-a-and-accept-the-complications">negotiate rebates and not prices</a>.
&#8220;They negotiate rebates. Not prices. In fact, the big PBMs control more than 95pct of the rebate negotiations. Big brand Pharma companies can&#8217;t negotiate with anyone else. IMO, it&#8217;s a racket,&#8221; he said.
While the April 15 order calls for transparency in pricing, Cuban highlights that 30% of the $4.9 trillion in healthcare spending is attributed to the overhead insurance companies and pricing distortions big PBMs create.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">One of the great lies the big PBM industry tells us is that they are needed to negotiate lower prices. It&#39;s a lie. They negotiate rebates. Not prices. In fact, the big PBMs control more than 95pct of the rebate negotiations. Big brand Pharma companies can&#39;t negotiate with…
&mdash; Mark Cuban (@mcuban) <a href="https://twitter.com/mcuban/status/1923880717420986860?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Here are the aforementioned PBMs operating companies that have performed in 2025.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Stocks</td>
<td>YTD Performance</td>
<td>One-Year Performance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CVS Health Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>)</td>
<td>41.41%</td>
<td>8.94%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cigna Group. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>)</td>
<td>16.92%</td>
<td>-3.73%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>)</td>
<td>-42.14%</td>
<td>-43.56%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Here are a few pharma-linked ETFs for investors to consider.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table class="has-fixed-layout">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Pharma ETFs</td>
<td>YTD Performance</td>
<td>One Year Performance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PPH#NASDAQ">PPH</a>)</td>
<td>-0.28%</td>
<td>-4.66%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>iShares US Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IHE#NYSE">IHE</a>)</td>
<td>-1.20%</td>
<td>-2.03%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Invesco Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PJP#NYSE">PJP</a>)</td>
<td>-3.45%</td>
<td>-0.83%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPDR S&amp;P Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPH#NYSE">XPH</a>)</td>
<td>-4.83%</td>
<td>-1.70%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KraneShares MSCI All China Health Care Index ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KURE#NYSE">KURE</a>)</td>
<td>11.10%</td>
<td>1.65%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTXH#NASDAQ">FTXH</a>)</td>
<td>-6.51%</td>
<td>-6.89%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical &amp; Medical (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PILL#NYSE">PILL</a>)</td>
<td>-23.63%</td>
<td>-24.07%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, ended higher on Friday. The SPY was up 0.63% to $594.20, while the QQQ advanced 0.44% to $521.51, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
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Photo courtesy: Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock.com

Health Care

Trump's Drug Price Order Hits PBMs Hardest: CVS, Cigna, UNH In Focus As Experts Highlight 'Racket,' Pricing Distortion

On Sunday, President Donald Trump vowed to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44945973/trump-administration-considers-lowering-us-drug-prices-to-international-levels-report">slash prescription drug prices</a> through a sweeping executive order.
What Happened: Trump took to Truth Social and announced plans to sign a new executive order. Under what he called a "most favored nation" pricing policy, the President said the executive order will ensure that "the United States will pay the same price as the Nation that pays the lowest price anywhere in the World."
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="612" height="966" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11221440/Screenshot-2025-05-12-at-11.14.22.png" alt="" class="wp-image-911175" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11221440/Screenshot-2025-05-12-at-11.14.22.png 612w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/11221440/Screenshot-2025-05-12-at-11.14.22-190x300.png 190w" sizes="(max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px" /></figure>
Screenshot From President Donald Trump&#8217;s Truth Social Account
He added that prescription drug prices would drop "almost immediately, by 30% to 80%," and called the move "one of the most consequential Executive Orders in our Country's history."
In response, a user on X, formerly Twitter, expressed skepticism, saying, "It would be nice if Trump&#8217;s super important post about drug prices was really achievable. I think all Democrats would agree&#8230; But like most things Trump brags about, they are pie-in-the-sky promises that can&#8217;t and won&#8217;t actually materialize."
See Also: &nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/44935195/elizabeth-warren-says-if-trump-illegally-fires-fed-chair-powell-hell-crash-our-markets-cause-more-economic-p" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elizabeth Warren Says, ‘If Trump Illegally Fires Fed Chair Powell, He'll Crash Our Markets, Cause More Economic Pain To American Families'</a>
That's where <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44866755/mark-cuban-says-this-trump-healthcare-order-could-save-hundreds-of-billions">billionaire entrepreneur</a> and Cost Plus Drugs founder Mark Cuban stepped in. Cuban acknowledged the ambition of Trump's plan but highlighted a more attainable path forward.
"I don't know if he can force the price, but he can force transparency, and that will help," Cuban wrote.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">I dont know if he can force the price , but he can force transparency , and that will help. He did it w hospitals Force transparency of contracts, pricing , rebates , claims and a lot could change Biggest thing he could do is encourage brand pharma to sell to cost plus drugs… <a href="https://t.co/vkz3Q2IFkn">https://t.co/vkz3Q2IFkn</a>
&mdash; Mark Cuban (@mcuban) <a href="https://twitter.com/mcuban/status/1921710702743417149?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Why It's Important: Last month, Trump issued a <a href="https://benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44851905/trumps-new-order-targets-drug-pricing-transparency-and-medicare-cost-reduction">multi-part executive order</a> targeting drug pricing transparency and Medicare cost reduction.
Earlier this month, he signed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45232993/trump-orders-fda-to-fast-track-us-drug-production-as-tariff-threat-looms-on-imported-medicines-cites">another executive order directing</a> the Food and Drug Administration to expedite approvals for domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.
The Invesco Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PJP#NYSE">PJP</a>) and iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IHE#NYSE">IHE</a>) rose 2.61% and 2.81%, respectively, over the past month.
Price Action: In after-hours trading, Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) was up 0.20%, while Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) increased by 0.32% and 0.13%, respectively. Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>) also saw a modest gain of 0.12%, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Photo Courtesy: PeopleImages.com &#8211; Yuri A On Shutterstock.com
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Trump Says Prescription Drug Prices Set To Drop By 30% To 80% 'Almost Immediately' Thanks To 'Most Favored Nation' Plan, Mark Cuban Urges President To 'Force Transparency'

As the drug industry is in the middle of a growing policy maelstrom in Washington, D.C., investors are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">closely watching pharmaceutical ETFs</a> to measure market sentiment and ride out the emerging volatility. 
With President Donald Trump&#8217;s administration rehashing contentious ideas on drug pricing and manufacturing policy, the stakes are increasing — not only for Big Pharma, but for the overall healthcare investment environment.
Amid the trends, pharma-targeted ETFs are being watched under a more risk-averse lens. Each of the funds provides sector exposure, but structural idiosyncrasies — and varying levels of protection from regulation-induced shocks — are gaining heightened relevance.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Slicing Up The Pharma ETF Scene</h1>
iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IHE#NYSE">IHE</a>)
The ETF offers concentrated exposure to large-cap U.S.-listed pharma companies. Its top holdings are Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>), Merck &amp; Co Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>), Eli Lilly And Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>), and Pfizer Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) — companies with strong pipelines and international revenue streams.
Defensive Tilt: IHE&#8217;s emphasis on blue-chip names makes it a relatively defensive play during periods of political unrest.
Policy Sensitivity: But its large weighting in companies with substantial Medicaid and U.S. sales exposure renders it highly sensitive to pharmaceutical pricing reform in the domestic market.
SPDR S&amp;P Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPH#NYSE">XPH</a>)
Unlike IHE, the SPDR S&amp;P Pharmaceuticals ETF uses an equal-weighting style, dispersing exposure across a larger segment of the industry, including mid- and small-cap companies such as Viatris (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VTRS#NASDAQ">VTRS</a>).
Diversified Risk: This format caps overconcentration in a single name and increases sensitivity to prospective M&amp;A action.
Higher Volatility: As more importance is assigned to lesser-known participants, XPH can see greater price volatility, particularly as regulatory threats play out.
VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PPH#NASDAQ">PPH</a>)
Those in search of global exposure should look at PPH, which includes international powerhouses such as AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AZN#NASDAQ">AZN</a>) and Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) on par with U.S. behemoths.
Geopolitical Hedge: International diversification renders PPH less susceptible to U.S.-specific tariff risks or reforms.
Growth Exposure: Novo Nordisk&#8217;s dominance of GLP-1-based obesity treatment provides a high-growth component, although subject to some headwinds due to compounding alternatives in the U.S.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Volatility Ahead?</h1>
These ETF dynamics are unfolding against a backdrop of sweeping proposals and heightened industry-government tension. The Trump administration's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44945973/trump-administration-considers-lowering-us-drug-prices-to-international-levels-report">revived push to tether Medicaid drug prices to lower international benchmarks</a> has sent shockwaves through the pharmaceutical sector. Industry analysts estimate the pricing framework could erase as much as $1 trillion in revenue over a decade, according to Bloomberg.
Surprised by the White House&#8217;s latest move, drug industry executives have mounted a concerted lobbying effort, trying to keep the policy from taking hold in Congress. Although some Republican lawmakers, including Kentucky Rep. Brett Guthrie, have reaffirmed their opposition to global reference pricing, the proposal is still a live political threat, Bloomberg reported.
And adding to investor anxiety is Trump&#8217;s latest threat of<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44708204/trump-hints-at-major-tariff-on-imported-pharmaceuticals-us-pharma-stocks-tumble-in-wednesday-pre-market"> sector-specific tariffs on drugs</a>. Although the Department of Commerce&#8217;s Section 232 investigation can take months, the threat of new import tariffs — particularly on Indian generics and contract-manufactured products — has already spilled over into related stocks. Insiders within the industry say the administration might move while there is a 90-day moratorium on reciprocal tariff imposition.
Not all of Washington&#8217;s signals are bearish, though. A recently signed executive order is intended to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45215281/trump-orders-fda-to-fast-track-us-drug-production-as-tariff-threat-looms-on-imported-medicines-cites-national-security-concerns">lower FDA approval times for U.S. manufacturing plants</a> — potentially speeding up reshoring and encouraging investment in U.S.-based production. For more exposed domestic manufacturers and smaller company-focused ETFs such as XPH, this may be a long-term tailwind.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Proceed, But With Prescription-Strength Caution</h1>
For those looking for exposure to the pharma industry, ETFs are still an important tool — but their variations are more important than ever.
IHE provides stability but is heavily influenced by the success of U.S. policy.
XPH offers balanced exposure and is potentially more sensitive to reforms in domestic manufacturing.
PPH offers a global cushion, especially useful if U.S.-focused risks increase.
In the end, pharma ETFs&#8217; future may depend less on laboratory discoveries than on the political medicine doled out by Washington. 
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/new-etfs/25/05/45259802/vistashares-launches-qusa-etf-targeting-15-annual-yield-with-quality-us-stocks-options-overlay">VistaShares Launches QUSA ETF, Targeting 15% Annual Yield With Quality U.S. Stocks, Options Overlay</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Aria Armoko via Shutterstock

Sector ETFs

Trading Ideas

ETFs

VTRS

Are Your Health Care ETFs Safe? Trump's New Policies May Trigger Shockwaves Across Pharma Stocks

The Trump Administration is reportedly mulling over a policy to match U.S. drug prices with those in other developed nations. 
What Happened:&nbsp;The Trump Administration is&nbsp;contemplating a policy to align U.S. drug prices with lower rates in other developed countries. The policy is likely to be enforced by the agency responsible for&nbsp;Medicare and Medicaid health programs, reported Reuters&nbsp;citing sources from the pharmaceutical industry.
The sources highlighted this policy as the pharmaceutical industry&#8217;s primary concern, surpassing other government actions under consideration, such as tariffs on imported medicines. One source labeled it as the most significant &#8220;existential&nbsp;threat to the industry and&nbsp;U.S. biosciences innovation.&#8221;
Though the Trump Administration hasn't directly addressed reference pricing, the conservative America First Policy Institute suggested it could be included in Medicare's drug price negotiations.
The industry trade group, PhRMA, has already approached Congress earlier this year regarding this issue, known as international reference pricing. The first source expressed apprehension about the potential upheaval this policy could trigger in the healthcare market, beyond just pharmaceuticals.
SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/44935195/elizabeth-warren-says-if-trump-illegally-fires-fed-chair-powell-hell-crash-our-markets-cause-more-economic-p" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elizabeth Warren Says, &#8216;If Trump Illegally Fires Fed Chair Powell, He&#8217;ll Crash Our Markets, Cause More Economic Pain To American Families&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Under Biden&#8217;s Inflation Reduction Act, the U.S. began negotiating prices for its costliest drugs. However, the negotiated prices for the first 10 drugs remain over twice as high—and sometimes five times higher—than what drugmakers charge in other wealthy nations. During his first term, President Donald Trump&#8216;s attempt to implement an international reference pricing program was halted by a court ruling.
The current report by Reuters comes on the heels of President Trump&#8217;s executive order <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44851905/trumps-new-order-targets-drug-pricing-transparency-and-medicare-cost-reduction">aimed </a>at lowering drug prices and reducing Medicare costs signed earlier this month. The order instructed the Secretary of Health and Human Services to seek guidance for the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program for the initial price applicability year 2028 and how drugmakers should implement the set prices in 2026, 2027, and 2028. 
This potential move is perceived as a major threat to the pharmaceutical industry. Boston University's Rena Conti told Reuters that drugmakers might respond to international reference pricing by raising prices in reference countries, potentially justifying higher U.S. prices and increasing global revenue.
Invesco Pharmaceuticals ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PJP#NYSE">PJP</a>) and iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IHE#NYSE">IHE</a>) declined 8.6% and 7.5%, respectively over the past month.
Price Action: During the pre-market session on Wednesday, Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) gained 2.39%, Eli Lilly And Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) climbed 1.16% and 1.07%, respectively. Meanwhile, Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>) edged 0.48% higher.
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<li>READ MORE:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44930938/dogecoin-jumps-7-shiba-inu-up-4-is-a-major-meme-rally-brewing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dogecoin Jumps 7%, Shiba Inu Up 4%: Is A Major Meme Rally Brewing? &#8211; Benzinga</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Trump Administration Considers Lowering US Drug Prices To International Levels: Report

Three <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">healthcare-themed ETFs</a> were in sharp spotlight Thursday as the sector got through a wild trading day, fueled by UnitedHealth&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) earnings disappointment and steep stock decline. While insurers weighed down on broad healthcare gauges, a drugmakers rally, led by Eli Lilly (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>), limited the damage.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/04/44869920/unitedhealth-ceo-says-high-cost-of-us-health-care-simply-not-sustainable">UnitedHealth CEO Says High Cost Of US Health Care &#8216;Simply Not Sustainable&#8217;</a>
ETFs In Spotlight
Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLV#NYSE">XLV</a>)
<ol>
<li></li>
</ol>
1-Day Return (Thursday): -0.6%
Top holdings of this fund are Eli Lilly, UnitedHealth, Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>). UnitedHealth dropped 2.4%, spooking XLV early in the session. The ETF trimmed losses, however, as Eli Lilly rallied 14.3% on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/04/44878381/eli-lilly-rallies-over-14-notches-best-day-since-june-2000-on-oral-weight-loss-drug-results-analysts-react">good weight-loss pill trial news</a>, calling out the group&#8217;s internal divergency. Barring Thursday&#8217;s turmoil, though, XLV is off just 1.5% for the year so far and commands a 17x forward-earnings multiple—below its five-year history and the large-cap S&amp;P 500&#8217;s 20x multiple, according to Barron&#8217;s.
iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IHE#NYSE">IHE</a>)
<ol start="2">
<li></li>
</ol>
1-Day Performance: +4.6%
IHE surged as investors rotated into large-cap pharma stocks, bolstered by Eli Lilly's rally. The gains came despite a nearly 8% drop in Novo Nordisk (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>), Lilly's rival in the GLP-1 space.
SPDR S&amp;P Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPH#NYSE">XPH</a>)
<ol start="3">
<li></li>
</ol>
1-Day Performance: +2.15%
XPH tracked gains across a broader basket of pharmaceutical names, benefiting from bullish sentiment on drugmakers following Lilly's breakthrough.
Market Context: A Sector Of Contrasts
UnitedHealth&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/04/44869920/unitedhealth-ceo-says-high-cost-of-us-health-care-simply-not-sustainable">poor earnings and soft guidance</a> spooked healthcare investors, highlighting how exposed insurers are to firm-specific disappointments and policy-level risks. The 22% decline in the stock not only heavily burdened XLV—where it is the second-largest position—but pulled down peers CVS Health (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVS#NYSE">CVS</a>), Humana (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HUM#NYSE">HUM</a>), and Elevance Health (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ELV#NYSE">ELV</a>) too.
However, the overall message of the day was one of subtlety and not panic. Eli Lilly&#8217;s explosion proved the influence of innovation in developing market-driving catalysts within the health-care sector. It provided the stimulus that helped neutralize weakness within managed care and indicated how investors in ETFs are able to still uncover segments of strength despite sector-wide selloffs.
At the same time, Johnson &amp; Johnson kept its steady pace going with the help of strong earnings.
Device and medical equipment manufacturers like Medtronic (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MDT#NYSE">MDT</a>), Zimmer Biomet (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZBH#NYSE">ZBH</a>), and Stryker (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SYK#NYSE">SYK</a>) are also attracting investor attention as Wall Street is wagering on secular demand from the aging population.
Takeaway
The health care industry remains far from monolithic. Thursday&#8217;s ETF action underscored the increasing divide between pressured insurers and pharma names benefiting from innovation tailwinds. For investors in ETFs, the message is simple: thematic selectivity is key. Though political headlines and earnings fluctuations might continue to shock portions of the industry, solid fundamentals within pharma and medtech imply there&#8217;s still ample healthy opportunity to go around.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44876466/the-10k-handbag-hoax-tiktoks-trade-war-puts-luxury-etfs-in-the-hot-seat">The $10K Handbag Hoax? TikTok&#8217;s Trade War Puts Luxury ETFs In The Hot Seat</a></li>
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Image: Shutterstock/The Image Party

streetTRACKS Dow Jones U.S. Large Cap Value Index Fund

ETF Shake-Up: UNH's Meltdown Meets LLY's Moonshot

Even as President Donald Trump paused the reciprocal tariffs for 90 days on Wednesday, he later confirmed in a conversation with reporters at his Oval Office that pharmaceutical companies would face tariffs.
What Happened: The rally in pharma stocks was short-lived after the stocks reversed course on Thursday. When a reporter asked President Trump if he would go ahead and levy tariff duties on pharmaceutical stocks, he said, &#8220;Yeah, well, I will be because we want them coming back.&#8221;
&#8220;You know, we realized during COVID-19 that we don&#8217;t make our drugs and our pharmaceuticals in this country. So, I realized that, and it was a big realization,&#8221; he added.
Citing the emergency during COVID-19, he stated that he wanted the pharma companies to produce drugs in the U.S.
&#8220;We had to go to China to get drugs, we had to go to other places, we don&#8217;t make it. That&#8217;s because we let them leave, and now if they want to come back, we&#8217;re going to put tariffs on the pharmaceutical companies, and they&#8217;re going to all want to come back,&#8221; Trump said.
The pharma stocks tumbled on Thursday after Trump&#8217;s confirmation of tariffs.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Pharma Stocks</td>
<td>Thursday&#8217;s Performance</td>
<td>YTD Performance</td>
<td>One Year Performance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eli Lilly And Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>)</td>
<td>-4.35%</td>
<td>-7.35%</td>
<td>-5.09%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABBV#NYSE">ABBV</a>)</td>
<td>-3.14%</td>
<td>-2.92%</td>
<td>3.99%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMY#NYSE">BMY</a>)</td>
<td>-6.10%</td>
<td>-11.15%</td>
<td>2.73%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/REGN#NASDAQ">REGN</a>)</td>
<td>-5.26%</td>
<td>-23.60%</td>
<td>-40.63%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>)</td>
<td>-3.87%</td>
<td>-18.87%</td>
<td>-18.03%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GILD#NASDAQ">GILD</a>)</td>
<td>-3.66%</td>
<td>10.36%</td>
<td>47.71%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Merck &amp; Co Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>)</td>
<td>-5.32%</td>
<td>-21.80%</td>
<td>-38.53%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMGN#NASDAQ">AMGN</a>)</td>
<td>-3.33%</td>
<td>8.54%</td>
<td>4.23%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>)</td>
<td>-1.51%</td>
<td>3.24%</td>
<td>-0.07%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44755181/pentagon-slashes-5-1-billion-in-accenture-deloitte-booz-allen-contracts-thats-a-lot-of-consulting">Pentagon Slashes $5.1 Billion In Accenture, Deloitte, Booz Allen Contracts: &#8216;That&#8217;s A Lot Of Consulting&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: Despite a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs, base global tariffs of 10% and China tariffs of 125%, along with sector-specific tariffs of 25% on steel and aluminum, auto, and auto parts remain in place. Adding to it, the President hinted that he could soon announce tariffs on pharmaceutical companies.
Here are some of the pharmaceutical industry-linked exchange-traded funds that could be impacted.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Pharma ETFs</td>
<td>YTD Performance</td>
<td>One Year Performance</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PPH#NASDAQ">PPH</a>)</td>
<td>-7.02%</td>
<td>-7.51%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>iShares US Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IHE#NYSE">IHE</a>)</td>
<td>-7.04%</td>
<td>-6.08%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Invesco Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PJP#NYSE">PJP</a>)</td>
<td>-10.13%</td>
<td>-4.37%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SPDR S&amp;P Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPH#NYSE">XPH</a>)</td>
<td>-14.05%</td>
<td>-11.45%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KraneShares MSCI All China Health Care Index ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KURE#NYSE">KURE</a>)</td>
<td>2.88%</td>
<td>0.35%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTXH#NASDAQ">FTXH</a>)</td>
<td>-11.54%</td>
<td>-10.18%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical &amp; Medical (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PILL#NYSE">PILL</a>)</td>
<td>-41.35%</td>
<td>-43.86%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Price Action: After Thursday&#8217;s fall, following Wednesday&#8217;s rebound, the Nasdaq 100 index was 17.46% lower than its previous high of 22,222.61 points. The S&amp;P 500 index was down 14.31% from its record of 6,147.43 points, and the Dow Jones declined 12.16% from its 52-week high of 45,073.63 points.
The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, ended lower on Thursday. The SPY was down 4.38% to $524.58, while the QQQ declined 4.25% to $446.18, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44728276/spy-qqq-call-volumes-spiked-minutes-before-tariff-pause-announcement-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-demands-disclosure-from-congress-members" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SPY, QQQ Call Volumes Spiked Minutes Before Tariff Pause Announcement: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Demands Disclosure From Congress Members</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Eli Lilly, AbbVie, Bristol Myers, Regeneron, And Other Pharma Companies Slide As Donald Trump Confirms Tariffs On Pharma Companies

As trade tensions heat up, one sector might have the immunity investors need &#8211; biopharma. JPMorgan analyst Chris Schott sees the industry as a relative &#8220;safe haven&#8221; despite looming <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/tariffs">pharmaceutical-specific tariffs</a>, thanks to its high-margin business model and operational flexibility.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44620686/sp-500-nasdaq-futures-plunge-over-3-as-trumps-reciprocal-tariff-plan-hits-market-confidence">Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Reciprocal Tariff&#8217; Plan Hits Market Confidence As Dow Futures Drops Over 830 Points</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tariffs Loom, But Biopharma Stands Strong</h2>
While the White House has not revealed details on pharma-related tariffs, broader trade restrictions announced today have put investors on edge. Schott acknowledges that some uncertainty will linger until the Section 232 pharmaceutical-specific tariffs are fully outlined in the coming weeks. However, he believes the sector has the tools to weather any potential impact.
Biopharma companies benefit from low capital expenditure intensity and high gross margins, making them more resilient in adjusting to cost pressures. Many also can shift intellectual property and manufacturing to the U.S. if needed while finding cost efficiencies elsewhere.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">When Will The Impact Be Felt?</h2>
For now, companies appear to have time on their side. Schott anticipates that any direct financial impact from tariffs will likely hit in 2026 rather than 2025, as firms work through existing inventory already in the U.S. That gives the sector a buffer period to assess the extent of the tariffs and adapt accordingly.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Actionable ETFs For Investors</h2>
Investors looking to capitalize on biopharma&#8217;s defensive positioning amid tariff uncertainty may consider iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IHE#NYSE">IHE</a>) and SPDR S&amp;P Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPH#NYSE">XPH</a>). These funds provide exposure to leading drugmakers who are expected to navigate potential trade disruptions more smoothly than other industries.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Questions Still Remain</h2>
Several unknowns still need to be addressed: What will the tariff levels be by country? Will they target low-cost active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) or final drug products with higher cost implications? Will these tariffs remain in place in the long term?
Schott expects companies to shed more light on these issues in their upcoming earnings calls. 
Until then, while tariffs shake the broader market, biopharma appears to have taken its medicine &#8211; staying strong while others scramble.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44622346/trumps-reciprocal-tariff-math-a-masterclass-in-economic-absurdity">Trump&#8217;s &#8216;Reciprocal Tariff&#8217; Math: A Masterclass In Economic Absurdity</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Biotech

Analyst Ratings

General

Biopharma: A 'Safe Haven' As Tariff Turmoil Rages On?

Investors are scrambling to assess the potential fallout of yet <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/tariffs">another tectonic trade decision</a>. 
What Happened: President Donald Trump plans to impose a 25% levy on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43805852/trump-shakes-global-trade-with-25-auto-chip-and-pharma-tariffs-announcement-asian-stocks-pare-their-five-day-rally">auto, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical imports</a>,
This move could have far-reaching consequences for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">ETFs with heavy exposure to these sectors</a>, particularly those tracking automakers, chipmakers, and biotech firms.
Trump's protectionist stance triggered an immediate market response across the global markets. Asian stocks retreated after a five-day rally, with the MSCI Asia Pacific Index slipping, particularly affecting Japanese automakers like Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TM#NYSE">TM</a>).
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/02/43795579/warren-buffett-unfazed-by-trumps-tariff-threats-oracle-of-omaha-bets-on-mexico-beer">Warren Buffett Unfazed By Trump&#8217;s Tariff Threats: Oracle Of Omaha Bets On Mexico, Beer</a>
Automakers: The U.S. imported around 8 million passenger cars and light trucks last year, comprising 50% of total vehicle sales, according to a report by Wall Street Journal. A 25% tariff would increase vehicle prices, impact supply chains, and hurt companies dependent on overseas manufacturing. 
Here are a few ETFs likely to take a hit:
<ul>
<li>Global X Autonomous &amp; Electric Vehicles ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DRIV#NASDAQ">DRIV</a>): Fairly exposed to Toyota, Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), and Ford (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>), this fund could face turbulence as trade tensions mount.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CARZ#NASDAQ">CARZ</a>): Tracks major global automakers, including BMW, Honda, and General Motors (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>), which rely on imported parts. The ETF also has significant exposure to Toyota and Tesla and allocates 46% of its assets to overseas stocks. That places it in a precarious position amid escalating tariff situations.</li>
</ul>
Chips: Trump also declared that sectoral tariffs on semiconductors would start at "25% or higher", escalating further over time. This comes as the U.S. considers a 100% tariff on Taiwanese semiconductors, an industry heavily reliant on TSMC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>).
<ul>
<li>iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOXX#NASDAQ">SOXX</a>) – With Nvidia (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>), and Broadcom (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) among its top holdings, this fund is exposed to volatility stemming from supply chain disruptions.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>VanEck Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMH#NASDAQ">SMH</a>) – Heavily weighted towards TSMC, Intel (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>), and Qualcomm (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCOM#NASDAQ">QCOM</a>), making it vulnerable to any tariff escalation.</li>
</ul>
Pharma: The pharmaceutical sector is also caught in the crosshairs, with Trump hinting at escalating tariffs beyond 25% over the year. This could upend drug pricing, R&amp;D costs, and supply chain dynamics for major biopharma companies.
<ul>
<li>iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IHE#NYSE">IHE</a>): Tracks major drugmakers like Pfizer (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>), Merck (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>), and Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JNJ#NYSE">JNJ</a>), all of which could see higher costs.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>SPDR S&amp;P Biotech ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XBI#NYSE">XBI</a>): While biotech firms often have global R&amp;D operations, increased tariffs could disrupt access to imported drug components.</li>
</ul>
Why It Matters: Trump has long voiced concerns over U.S. automotive exports being treated unfairly abroad. In his first term, he threatened a similar 25% car tariff but ultimately backed down.
For ETF investors, volatility is back on the table. Those holding funds exposed to autos, chips, and pharmaceuticals must brace for a bumpy ride. While Trump believes the move will bring manufacturing back home, the short-term pain could be severe.
The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. companies may receive a phase-in period, with tariffs increasing over the course of the year.
What's Next: Markets will be watching closely as April 2 (when auto tariffs are expected to kick in) approaches. Any delays or modifications to the tariff plan could shift investor sentiment. 
For now, ETF traders should keep an eye on sectoral rotation, hedge exposure where necessary, and prepare for the potential impact of another round of trade wars.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/25/02/43794873/vanguard-overtakes-state-street-as-top-etf-provider-3-funds-in-focus">Vanguard Overtakes State Street As Top ETF Provider: 3 Funds In Focus</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

AAPL

AVGO

CARZ

DRIV

INTC

NVDA

QCOM

iShares PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index Fund

SOXX

TSLA

Trade War Redux: These ETFs Due For Bumpy Ride Thanks To Trump Tariffs On Auto, Pharma, Chip Imports

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/ken-griffin">Ken Griffin</a>'s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/citadel-securities">hedge fund Citadel</a> has placed a £305 million ($390 million) short bet against GSK PLC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GSK#NYSE">GSK</a>), marking the largest wager against the UK pharma giant in over a decade, <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/6520c6eb-4a30-4909-9c86-1b6b2e471743">reported</a> the Financial Times. 
The position, disclosed to the UK's Financial Conduct Authority, amounts to 0.51% of GSK's outstanding shares.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">GSK's Rally Faces A Reality Check</h2>
GSK stock has climbed 8.20% in the past month, fueled by a £2 billion ($2.5 billion approx.) stock buyback and strong HIV and cancer drug sales. Yet, it still trails peers. 
Over the past five years, GSK shares have declined 17.53%, while the S&amp;P 500 pharmaceutical index has surged 45%. Griffin's short signals skepticism over the company's long-term pipeline, especially as its HIV drugs near a patent cliff.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/02/43638136/goldman-sachs-turns-bearish-on-vaccine-maker-dynavax-amid-shingles-and-hepatitis-b-uncertainty">Goldman Sachs Turns Bearish On Vaccine Maker Dynavax Amid Shingles And Hepatitis B Uncertainty</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hedge Funds, Analysts Are Split</h2>
This isn't the first time hedge funds have circled GSK. In 2021, activist investor Elliott Management pushed for a leadership shake-up. 
Meanwhile, JPMorgan analysts view GSK's latest earnings and guidance as "positive," but question the buyback's timing. Barclays called it "unexpected," while Jefferies deemed it "well received."
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Takeaways For Investors</h2>
GSK's challenges have led to mixed bets on its future, but investors seeking exposure to Big Pharma without GSK's risks may look at industry leaders like Eli Lilly &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) and Pfizer Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>). 
Alternatively, the iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IHE#NYSE">IHE</a>) and SPDR S&amp;P Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPH#NYSE">XPH</a>) provide diversified exposure.
With Citadel betting against GSK, the stock could see increased volatility—making it one to watch.
Read Next: 
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</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Short Ideas

Hedge Funds

Ken Griffin's Citadel Places Big Short Bet Against GSK - Here's What It Means for Investors

On Monday, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts temporarily blocked the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from cutting research funding in 22 states.
What Happened: On Friday, under updated guidelines, NIH said it would now <a target="_blank" href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-25-068.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">apply</a> a standard indirect cost rate of 15% to all new and existing grants, replacing the previous practice of negotiating separate rates for each grant.
Historically, NIH's average indirect cost rate has been around 27%–28%, with some institutions charging over 50% or even 60%.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/11/41866438/donald-trumps-second-term-could-reshape-us-healthcare-system-with-major-impacts-on-affordable-care-act-and-medicare" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donald Trump's Second Term Could Reshape US Healthcare System, With Major Impacts on Affordable Care Act And Medicare</a>
In 2023, NIH awarded over $35 billion in research funding across nearly 50,000 grants. Of this, $26 billion went directly to research, while $9 billion covered indirect costs.
By implementing a 15% rate, NIH aligns more closely with private research funders. Many private foundations, including the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation, cap indirect costs at 10%–15%, while some do not cover indirect costs at all.
Why It Matters: NIH has a $48 billion budget and 27 institutes that fund critical research on diseases like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/11/42222191/donald-trump-nominates-pandemic-critic-jay-bhattacharya-tapped-to-reshape-national-institutes-of-health-that-oversees-budget-of-48-billion" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer and diabetes</a>. The funding cuts were to take effect on Monday, 10 February.
In a social media post, NIH <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/NIH/status/1888004759396958263?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet&amp;mx=2" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a> the change would save the federal government $4 billion annually. It said three schools that had charged more than 60% in indirect rates—Harvard University, Yale University, and Johns Hopkins University—had multibillion-dollar endowments.
A complaint <a target="_blank" href="https://coag.gov/app/uploads/2025/02/ECF-001-Complaint-Mass.-v.-NIH-1.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener">filed</a> earlier on Monday argued that "Without relief from NIH's action, these institutions' cutting-edge work to cure and treat human disease will grind to a halt."
The lawsuit also mentioned, "In issuing the Rate Change Notice, the NIH has also acted beyond its statutory authority and has failed to promulgate the change using notice and comment rulemaking."
The lawsuit adds, "The Rate Change Notice is arbitrary and capricious in, among other ways, its failure to articulate the bases for the categorical rate cap of 15%, its failure to consider the grant recipients' reliance on their negotiated rates, and its disregard for the factual findings that formed the bases for the currently operative negotiated indirect cost rates."
The NIH action will "devastate critical public health research at universities and research institutions," the lawsuit claims.
The complaint alleges that the agency's action will result in layoffs, suspension of clinical trials, disruption of ongoing research programs, and laboratory closures.
Judge Angel Kelley of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts <a target="_blank" href="https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/legaldocs/gdpzkzwrwvw/02102025nih_order.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener">issued</a> a temporary restraining order asking the 22 states to file a status report in 24 hours and again every two weeks to confirm the regular disbursement of the funds. The judge set a hearing for 21 February.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43608591/taiwan-semiconductors-trillion-dollar-valuation-the-chipmaker-enabling-ai-boom" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Taiwan Semiconductor's Trillion-Dollar Valuation: The Chipmaker Enabling AI Boom</a></li>
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Image via Shutterstock

iShares Dow Jones US Health Care Provides Index Fund

iShares Trust Dow Jones US Healthcare Sector Index Fund

PowerShares Dynamic Healthcare Sector Portfolio

US States Sue National Institutes Of Health Over $4 Billion Annual Cut In Biomedical Research Grant Budget

Goldman Sachs expects a gradual recovery in end-market growth throughout the year as the Tools and the contract research organizations (CROs) enter 2025 after underperforming in 2024.
Bioprocessing is anticipated to gain momentum as the year progresses, with instruments poised for recovery by mid-year, potentially achieving healthy growth rates by the fourth quarter. However, investor skepticism remains high following overly optimistic guidance in 2024.
Improved visibility, normalized supply chains, and stable ordering patterns suggest better conditions for 2025, although debates around large pharma spending are expected to dominate early-year discussions.
Goldman Sachs analyst Matthew Sykes is cautiously optimistic about a potential recovery in the Life Sciences Tools sector in 2025. However, investor interest in this area remains low.
The analyst writes that the health care sector saw the fastest pace of net buying in five months last week—except for segments like Life Sciences Tools &amp; Services.
This hesitation stems from repeated disappointments in market recovery, ongoing declines in revenue and earnings forecasts, and persistently high valuations.
Danaher Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DHR#NYSE">DHR</a>) and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMO#NYSE">TMO</a>) are scheduled to release their fourth-quarter 2024 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/earnings" rel="noreferrer noopener">earnings next week</a>.
Sector allocations among traditional, long-only investors have slightly increased, which is a positive sign.
A BofA Securities&nbsp;report in December highlighted that the Life Sciences Tools sector struggled in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42490115/despite-higher-valuations-some-life-sciences-tools-stocks-create-good-opportunities-analyst" rel="noreferrer noopener">fiscal year 2024</a>.
Pharmaceutical and biotech companies' spending dropped after pandemic-related overspending, and demand in China stayed weak. This led some Life Sciences companies to lower their already-conservative fiscal year revenue forecasts as the year progressed.
For most of fiscal year 2024, Life Sciences company valuations remained higher than pre-COVID levels but declined after the U.S. elections. Looking ahead to fiscal year 2025, initial forecasts and management comments suggest a mixed outlook.
Over the past two years, hedge funds have driven most of the sector's activity, but their recent pullback, combined with mutual funds' growing interest, could pave the way for broader investor engagement—if the sector demonstrates sustainable recovery.
For this to happen, large biopharma companies, the sector's key customers, need to stabilize spending amid challenges like the Inflation Reduction Act and patent cliffs.
Increased R&amp;D investment would also be crucial. While M&amp;A could support this shift, their net impact is expected to be neutral.
However, M&amp;A activity may still encourage investment to replenish product pipelines for major pharmaceutical companies.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/01/43192622/hca-healthcare-q4-earnings-beat-steet-estimates-despite-hurricane-impact-announces-10-billion-share-buyback-program" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HCA Healthcare Q4 Earnings Beat Steet Estimates Despite Hurricane Impact, Announces $10 Billion Share Buyback Program</a></li>
</ul>
Photo by MargJohnsonVA via Shutterstock

Goldman Sachs Predicts Gradual Recovery For Tools And Contract Research Sector In 2025, Stable Large Pharma Spending Key To Recovery

According to a report, U.S. healthcare spending grew by 7.5% to $4.9 trillion in 2023. The increase was fueled by higher enrollment in private health plans and expanded use of medical services, driven by legislative changes and post-pandemic rebounds in care utilization.
Healthcare spending accounted for 17.6% of the U.S. economy, outpacing GDP growth of 2.9%. Spending on retail prescription drugs <a target="_blank" href="https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.2024.01375" rel="noreferrer noopener">saw</a> the most significant rise, jumping 11.4% to $449.7 billion.
The report attributed this to increased use of medications for obesity and diabetes.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/11/41866438/donald-trumps-second-term-could-reshape-us-healthcare-system-with-major-impacts-on-affordable-care-act-and-medicare" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donald Trump&#8217;s Second Term Could Reshape US Healthcare System, With Major Impacts on Affordable Care Act And Medicare</a>
The rapid growth in spending for drugs used to treat diabetes and obesity contributed to faster overall growth in retail prescription drug expenditures and private health insurance and Medicare spending growth.
Hospital care spending rose 10.4% to $1.5 trillion in 2023, marking the fastest growth since 1990. Hospital discharges increased by 1.6%, with Medicare beneficiaries driving higher outpatient service utilization.
Spending on physician and clinical services also climbed by 7.4% to $978 billion, with private insurance and Medicare patients contributing to this rise.
Enrollment in private health insurance grew by 1.6%, adding 3.3 million Americans.
Private insurance spending surged by 11.5%, reaching $1.5 trillion and accounting for 30% of national healthcare expenditures.
Medicare spending grew 8.1% to $1 trillion, representing 21% of total healthcare spending. Medicaid spending, however, grew more slowly at 7.9%, reflecting the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The report also revealed that 92.5% of Americans had health insurance in 2023, up from 92.0% in 2022, underscoring the broader coverage expansion in recent years.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/24/12/42599673/amazon-has-20000-rivian-electric-delivery-vans-in-fleet-heres-what-could-be-next-for-both-companies">Amazon Has 20,000 Rivian Electric Delivery Vans In Fleet: Here&#8217;s What Could Be Next For Both Companies</a></li>
</ul>
Photo by MargJohnsonVA via Shutterstock

Your Healthcare Costs are Soaring! US Spending Reached $5 Trillion In 2023 with Major Increase in Obesity and Diabetes Drugs, Hospital Services

Eli Lilly And Co&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) has achieved a year-to-date (YTD) increase of&nbsp;32.11% as of Friday, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>. This&nbsp;surge has had varied effects on several ETFs that hold significant stakes in the pharmaceutical giant. Several ETFs with substantial holdings in Eli Lilly have experienced varied performances during the same period.
What Happened:&nbsp;The&nbsp;iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IHE#NYSE">IHE</a>) with a 20.33% allocation to Eli Lilly, reported a YTD gain of 10.89%. Meanwhile, the&nbsp;Roundhill GLP-1 &amp; Weight Loss ETF&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OZEM#NASDAQ">OZEM</a>), holding 15.86% in Eli Lilly, saw a modest YTD increase of 3.74%.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42438029/candel-therapeutics-prostate-cancer-therapy-hits-primary-goal-in-late-stage-study-stock-surges-over-100?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Candel Therapeutics Stock Surges Over 100%</a>
Conversely, the&nbsp;Horizon Kinetics Medical ETF&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MEDX#NASDAQ">MEDX</a>), with Eli Lilly making up 16.06% of its portfolio, experienced a YTD decline of 1.56%. Similarly, the&nbsp;Amplify Weight Loss Drug &amp; Treatment ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/THNR#NYSE">THNR</a>), with a 14.43% exposure to Eli Lilly, also saw its YTD returns decrease by 6.27%.
Lastly, the iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IYH#NYSE">IYH</a>), which includes an 11.76% stake in Eli Lilly, recorded a YTD increase of 2.68%.
Buying $1000 In LLY vs. ETFs: If an investor had bought $1000 of LLY stock earlier this year, it would be worth $1,251 today based on a price of $782.35 for Eli Lilly at the time of writing. At the same time, IHE would have been worth $1100 based on a price of $67.11 for iShares US Pharmaceuticals ETF at the time of writing.
Why It Matters: Recently, the company announced a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/12/42421676/eli-lilly-15b-buyback-faces-stiff-resistance-on-the-charts">massive $15 billion share buyback plan</a>&nbsp;and a 15% dividend increase. These strategic moves come as the company enjoys the success of its blockbuster drugs, Mounjaro and Zepbound, despite facing mixed technical signals on the charts.
Moreover,&nbsp;Eli Lilly&nbsp;has been heavily investing in its production capabilities. The company recently announced a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42370795/investments-in-eli-lillys-production-capabilities-reaches-23-billion-with-additional-3-billion-expansion-at-us-facility">$3 billion expansion</a>&nbsp;of its manufacturing facility in Kenosha County, Wisconsin. This expansion is part of a broader $23 billion investment to meet the growing demand for diabetes, obesity, and pipeline medicines, further solidifying its position in the pharmaceutical industry.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock

MEDX

OZEM

Amplify ETF Trust Amplify Weight Loss Drug & Treatment ETF

THNR

Eli Lilly Stock Soars 34.42% YTD: A $1000 Investment Outpaces Returns From These ETFs Holding Mounjaro-Maker Shares

FDA commissioner Robert Califf&#8217;s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/21/11/24301293/robert-califfs-speedy-confirmation-vote-as-fda-head-likely-delayed-see-why" rel="noreferrer noopener">second term is anticipated</a> to end in 2025, and all eyes are now on who will be the next to take the position after Donald Trump is elected president for the second time.
He was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/fda-organization/robert-califf" rel="noreferrer noopener">elected</a> to head the agency in February 2022. Califf was briefly the agency&#8217;s commissioner under the Obama administration beginning in 2016.
At a conference <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/live/hQ7rYiJTcmU" rel="noreferrer noopener">hosted</a> by the Friends of Cancer Research, Califf acknowledged the uncertainty President-elect Donald Trump&#8217;s return to the White House raises for the agency workforce.
He is &#8220;disappointed&#8221; about the election&#8217;s outcome. &#8220;I think we just don&#8217;t know what&#8217;s going to happen.&#8221;
At the Tuesday conference, Califf added, &#8220;The gist of this administration, from everything that&#8217;s been said, is that they want to change a lot of things, and how it gets changed depends on who gets appointed into key positions and how the various policies play out.&#8221;
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/11/41866438/donald-trumps-second-term-could-reshape-us-healthcare-system-with-major-impacts-on-affordable-care-act-and-medicare" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donald Trump&#8217;s Second Term Could Reshape US Healthcare System, With Major Impacts on Affordable Care Act And Medicare</a>
Asked whether FDA employees are eying the exits, Califf said, &#8220;people are waiting to see.&#8221;
Asked to respond to Robert F. Kennedy Jr&#8217;s statements about clearing FDA groups focused on nutrition and other issues, Califf suggested the agency is limited in addressing issues with the American diet <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/11/41822473/trumps-potential-health-czar-robert-f-kennedy-jr-rattles-vaccine-stocks-shoot-first-reaction" rel="noreferrer noopener">because of Congress</a>.
In an interview Califf said, &#8220;In times of change and chaos, there&#8217;s also opportunity,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;I will just comment, there&#8217;s a lot of things that I bet almost everyone in leadership positions in the health agencies would have liked to have changed but couldn&#8217;t because of the gridlock of various interests that made it difficult to change things.&#8221;
Callif said he believes the FDA is at &#8220;peak performance right now — and we&#8217;ll see what happens as the new team comes in.&#8221;
&#8220;From things that have been said, the change could happen internally or from external decisions made by the administration,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I just think we have to wait and see and have some faith that hard-working, high-quality people are still going to be in place and have support from — I hope — the external regulated community, which given the dynamics is likely to be the most important factor.&#8221;
While Califf hasn&#8217;t officially announced his departure from the FDA, he said today that &#8220;this is not the first time I&#8217;ve ridden out of town after an election.&#8221;
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Image via Adobe Stock

Regulations

FDA Commissioner Califf Candid on Trump's Impact: 'We Just Don't Know What's Going to Happen'

Robert Kennedy Jr. has disclosed President-Elect Donald Trump&#8217;s three-fold directive to him, aimed at transforming the nation&#8217;s health landscape.
What Happened: On Wednesday, Kennedy Jr. took to X to share the tasks Trump has assigned to him. He wrote that Trump asked him to do three things: clean up corruption in health agencies, restore evidence-based science, and end the chronic disease epidemic to make America healthy again.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">President Trump has asked me to do three things: 1. Clean up the corruption in our government health agencies. 2. Return those agencies to their rich tradition of gold-standard, evidence-based science. 3. Make America Healthy Again by ending the chronic disease epidemic. <a href="https://t.co/WHMOsD0CiI">pic.twitter.com/WHMOsD0CiI</a>
&mdash; Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobertKennedyJr/status/1854281809464529384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/11/41741814/walgreens-agrees-to-100-million-settlement-over-alleged-deceptive-pricing-of-generic-drugs?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Walgreens Agrees To $100 Million Settlement Over Alleged Deceptive Pricing Of Generic Drugs</a>
This announcement comes after Trump&#8217;s previous pledge to give Kennedy <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41565423/trump-says-robert-kennedy-jr-can-run-wild-on-health-and-food-im-going-to-let-him-go-wild-on-the-medi">full authority over health</a>, food, and medicine issues if he secures a second term. The former President had expressed his intent to allow Kennedy to &#8220;run wild&#8221; on these matters, with the exception of oil.
Kennedy Jr. is known for his contentious views on vaccines and has also been know to speak out regularly on food additives. In the aftermath of the election, shares of pharmaceutical companies, particularly those associated with the COVID-19 vaccine, have slid.
On Wednesday Pfizer Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) and Modern Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>) stocks hovered near their 52-week lows of $25.20 and $49.60 respectively. For the day, PFE ended 2.2% lower at $27.36, while MRNA dropped 2.8% to $51.81. The iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IHE#NYSE">IHE</a>) fell 0.5% to $68.39 in a similar period.
Why It Matters: Kennedy&#8217;s new role and the tasks assigned to him align with Trump&#8217;s earlier statements. In a recent interview, Trump showed tentative support for Kennedy&#8217;s plan to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41704387/robert-kennedy-jr-says-he-will-advise-all-us-water-systems-to-remove-fluoride-on-day-1-of-trump-admi">remove fluoride from water</a>, a move aimed at improving public health. Kennedy, known for his health-related advocacies, stated that his administration would encourage all U.S. water systems to eliminate fluoride on its first day in office.
Furthermore, Kennedy had previously disclosed that he might be appointed by Trump to select leaders for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40931166/robert-kennedy-jr-trump-wants-him-to-help-pick-cdc-fda-and-nih-leaders-unravel-the-capture-of-agenci">key public health agencies</a>, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Institutes of Health. This latest announcement seems to confirm his involvement in these agencies, marking a significant shift in the country&#8217;s health policies.
Image via Shutterstock
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shivdeep-dhaliwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shivdeep Dhaliwal</a>

Politics

Trump Has Asked Me To Do 3 Things, Says Robert Kennedy Jr.

The second-quarter results of the healthcare sector have been impressive, with earnings of 78.8% of the sector participants that have reported so far up 17.1% on 7.6% revenue growth. The earnings beat ratio of 85.7% and the revenue beat ratio of 75.5% are also assuring. Combining the actual results with the estimates for the still-to-report companies, the total earnings of the sector are expected to grow 16.6% on revenue growth of 8.5%.
Many industry bigwigs reported solid results, with some beating on earnings or revenues or both. However, the recent market rout has eroded some gains from the sector. As such, pharma ETFs have delivered mixed performances over the past month. iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (ARCA:IHE), VanEck Vectors Pharmaceutical ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pph#NASDAQ">PPH</a>), SPDR S&amp;P Pharmaceuticals ETF (ARCA:XPH) and First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ftxh#NASDAQ">FTXH</a>) have gained 0.3%, 1.1%, 0.07%, and 0.4% respectively, while Invesco Pharmaceuticals ETF (ARCA:PJP) has shed 0.1% in a month.
Let&#39;s delve deeper into the earnings of some of the bigwigs:
<h3>Earnings in Focus</h3>
Johnson and Johnson 
Johnson &amp; Johnson (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/jnj#NYSE">JNJ</a>) continued with its long streak of earnings beat and also outpaced revenue estimates. Earnings per share came in at $2.82, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.71 and improving 10.2% from the year-ago quarter. Revenues grew 4.3% year over year to $22.45 billion and fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $22.38 billion. For 2024, Johnson &amp; Johnson maintained its revenue guidance of $88-$88.4 billion, indicating year-over-year growth of 4.7%-5.2%. It lowered adjusted earnings per share guidance from $10.57-$10.72 to $9.97-$10.07. 
Pfizer 
Pfizer (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pfe#NYSE">PFE</a>) topped estimates on both the top and bottom lines. It reported adjusted earnings per share of 60 cents, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 45 cents per share but declined 11% year over year. Revenues inched up 2% year over year to $13.28 billion and edged past the consensus mark of $13.13 billion. The U.S. drug giant raised its revenue guidance from $58.5-$61.5 billion to $59.5-$62.5 billion and adjusted earnings per share from $2.15-$2.35 to $2.45-$2.65 for 2024. 
Merck 
Merck (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mrk#NYSE">MRK</a>) also topped earnings and revenue estimates. It posted earnings per share of $2.28, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.16. In the year-ago period, the company had incurred an adjusted loss of $2.06 per share. Revenues rose 79% year over year to $16.11 billion and edged past the consensus mark of $15.90 billion. Merck lifted the higher end of its revenue guidance from $63.1-$64.3 billion to $63.1-$64.4 billion but lowered the earnings per share guidance to $7.94-$8.04 from $8.53-$8.65. 
Bristol-Myers 
Bristol-Myers (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bmy#NYSE">BMY</a>) also reported better-than-expected results. It posted an earnings per share of $2.07, outpacing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.64. Earnings came in higher than the year-ago earnings of $1.75. Revenues grew 9% year over year to $12.2 billion and edged past the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $11.5 billion. For 2024, Bristol-Myers now expects revenues to increase in the upper end of the low single-digit range versus the previous guidance of low single digits.&nbsp; It lifted its earnings per share guidance to 60-90 cents from 40-70 cents. 
Eli Lilly and Company 
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/lly#NYSE">LLY</a>) reported robust second-quarter 2024, beating earnings and revenue estimates. Earnings per share came in at $3.92, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.64 and improving 86% from the year-ago number. Revenues rose 36% to $11.3 billion and edged past the estimated $9.83 billion. Eli Lilly increased its full-year outlook for the second time this year. It raised the revenue guidance to $45.4-$46.6 billion from $42.4-$43.6 billion and the adjusted earnings per share guidance to $16.10-$16.60 from $13.50-$14.00.
<h3>ETF Angle</h3>
iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF
iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF provides exposure to 36 U.S. companies that manufacture prescription or over-the-counter drugs or vaccines by tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Pharmaceuticals Index. The in-focus five firms are the top holdings in the basket, accounting for a combined 59.4% of the total assets, suggesting heavy concentration. iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF has $670.8 million in AUM and charges 39 bps in fees and expenses. It carries a Zacks ETF Rank #3 (Hold) with a High risk outlook. 
VanEck Vectors Pharmaceutical ETF
VanEck Vectors Pharmaceutical ETF follows the MVIS US Listed Pharmaceutical 25 Index and holds 26 stocks in its basket. The five firms collectively account for a 33.6% share in the fund&#39;s basket. The product has amassed $678.1 million in its asset base and charges 36 bps in annual fees. VanEck Vectors Pharmaceutical ETF carries a Zacks ETF Rank #2 (Buy) with a Medium risk outlook.
SPDR S&amp;P Pharmaceuticals ETF
SPDR S&amp;P Pharmaceuticals ETF provides exposure to pharma companies by tracking the S&amp;P Pharmaceuticals Select Industry Index. With AUM of $177.9 million, it holds 43 securities, with the in-focus firms making up about 4% share each. SPDR S&amp;P Pharmaceuticals ETF charges 35 bps in fees a year and has a Zacks ETF Rank #3 with a High risk outlook.
Invesco Pharmaceuticals ETF
Invesco Pharmaceuticals ETF offers exposure to companies that are principally engaged in the research, development, manufacture, sale, or distribution of pharmaceuticals and drugs of all types. It follows the Dynamic Pharmaceuticals Intellidex Index and holds 23 stocks in its basket, with the in-focus firms making up at least 5% share each. Invesco Pharmaceuticals ETF has AUM of about $283.8 million and charges 57 bps in fees and expenses. The ETF has a Zacks ETF Rank #3 with a High risk outlook.
First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF
First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF tracks the Nasdaq US Smart Pharmaceuticals Index, holding 50 securities in its basket. The in-focus five firms account for a combined 31.4% of the assets. FTXH has AUM of $18.3 million. First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF charges 60 bps in annual fees and has a Zacks ETF Rank #3.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2322190/pharma-etfs-in-focus-post-solid-q2-earnings?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-etf_news_and_commentary-2322190">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

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