As GSK’s share price drops 15%, should I buy, sell, or hold?

GSK’s share price has fallen on negative developments for two of its drugs, but it still has a strong core business with excellent growth prospects.

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

Image source: GSK plc

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

GSK’s (LSE: GSK) share price action raises the classic investor question for me of how to proceed. Should I keep my holding, maybe even add to it, or sell out?

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3GSK PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALL18 Jul 201918 Jul 2024Zoom ▾Jan '20Jul '20Jan '21Jul '21Jan '22Jul '22Jan '23Jul '23Jan '24Jul '242020202020212021202220222023202320242024www.fool.co.uk

Why is it down?

The first thing I need to do is to work out why it has dropped 15% since its 15 May 12-month traded high of £18.12.

There are two reasons that I can see. First, a US court ruled on 31 May that 70,000+ lawsuits can move forward to trial. These allege a connection between GSK’s Zantac drug and cancer. This raises the risk of very high compensation awarded against GSK if its further appeals against the action are unsuccessful.

Should you invest £1,000 in Phoenix Group Holdings Plc right now?

When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Phoenix Group Holdings Plc made the list?

See the 6 stocks

And second, 26 June saw the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) no longer recommend Arexvy RSV vaccine for people under 60.

Earlier in the month, the US Food and Drug Administration had approved the use of this vaccine for those aged 50 to 59. It is the first shot endorsed for that age group.

Nonetheless, the CDC’s decision is likely to reduce Arexvy sales, unless it changes its view. GSK had expected the vaccine to generate annual sales of more than £3bn.

Are there any offsetting factors?

My experience as a former investment bank trader tells me that I should not assume either of these negative factors will improve. If they do, it will be a bonus.

So, what else is there in GSK that might offset these negative developments over the long term?

Its Blenrep drug was found on 7 March to help in extending life in plasma cell cancer patients. Citigroup analysts expect around £2.5bn of peak risk-adjusted sales of the drug.

Its full-year 2023 results — before the latest Zantac and Arexvy developments – contained upgrades in its long-term outlook.

Adjusted operating profit was forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 11%+ to 2026 on an annual sales rise of 7%+. By 2031, it expected sales of more than £38bn.

No new financial statement has been released regarding the impact of the Zantac and Arexvy news. However, GSK will announce its Q2 2024 results on 31 July.

Relative share valuation now

Its shares trade on the key price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) at 13.7. This is the lowest among its peers, which have an average P/E of 29.9.

This group comprises Johnson & Johnson at 21.3, Hikma Pharmaceuticals at 28, Hutchmed at 31.8, and AstraZeneca at 38.4. Consequently, on this basis, GSK looks very undervalued.

Moreover, analysts’ estimates currently say GSK’s earnings will grow by 12% a year to end-2026.

So what’s my play here?

It was always hammered home to me as an investment bank trader never to buy into a fast-falling asset. That advice has served me well, so I will not buy more GSK shares right now.

That said, as a long-term investor now I am aware that fundamentally solid stocks – and I see GSK as one – will likely do well over time. So, I will not sell my holding either.

In sum, I will hold my GSK position and see what happens from here, especially with the Q2 results on 31 July.

5 Shares for the Future of Energy

Investors who don’t own energy shares need to see this now.

Because Mark Rogers — The Motley Fool UK’s Director of Investing — sees 2 key reasons why energy is set to soar.

While sanctions slam Russian supplies, nations are also racing to achieve net zero emissions, he says. Mark believes 5 companies in particular are poised for spectacular profits.

Open this new report5 Shares for the Future of Energy — and discover:

  • Britain’s Energy Fort Knox, now controlling 30% of UK energy storage
  • How to potentially get paid by the weather
  • Electric Vehicles’ secret backdoor opportunity
  • One dead simple stock for the new nuclear boom

Click the button below to find out how you can get your hands on the full report now, and as a thank you for your interest, we’ll send you one of the five picks — absolutely free!

Grab your FREE Energy recommendation now

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Simon Watkins has positions in AstraZeneca Plc and GSK. The Motley Fool UK has recommended AstraZeneca Plc, GSK, and Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

Our best passive income stock ideas

Do you like the idea of dividend income?

The prospect of investing in a company just once, then sitting back and watching as it potentially pays a dividend out over and over?

If you’re excited by the thought of regular passive income payments, as well as the potential for significant growth on your initial investment…

Then we think you’ll want to see this report inside Motley Fool Share Advisor — ‘5 Essential Stocks For Passive Income Seekers’.

What’s more, today we’re giving away one of these stock picks, absolutely free!

Get your free passive income stock pick

More on Investing Articles

Number three written on white chat bubble on blue background
Investing Articles

Just released: the 3 best growth-focused stocks to consider buying in April [PREMIUM PICKS]

Our goal here is to highlight some of our past recommendations that we think are of particular interest today, due…

Read more »

Happy young plus size woman sitting at kitchen table and watching tv series on tablet computer
Investing Articles

£10,000 invested in Watches of Switzerland shares 1 year ago is now worth…

Watches of Switzerland shares have been decimated by Trump’s tariffs on Switzerland. Dr James Fox explores whether this is an…

Read more »

Hand flipping wooden cubes for change wording" Panic " to " Calm".
Investing Articles

Growth stocks are crashing! Here’s what I’m doing now

Our writer shares his thoughts as growth stocks get crushed, as well as a favourite from the Nasdaq that he…

Read more »

Investing Articles

What’s going on with the Nvidia share price now?

The Nvidia share price is tanking. Once the most valuable listed company, Nvidia has seen more than $1trn wiped off…

Read more »

Investing Articles

This FTSE AIM stock has £2.3bn in net cash, and a market cap of £2.4bn!

I love this FTSE AIM stock, but it really hasn’t delivered for me yet. The stock trades with crazily low…

Read more »

Smart young brown businesswoman working from home on a laptop
Investing Articles

Down 15% in a week! Are these 5 FTSE 100 fallers screaming buys as markets plunge?

Five of Harvey Jones's favourite FTSE 100 stocks all have the same thing in common – they've fallen around 15%…

Read more »

Hand of person putting wood cube block with word VALUE on wooden table
Investing Articles

2 stocks that have been crushed and now offer a ton of value

Edward Sheldon has been scanning the market for stocks that offer value after the sell-off. Here are two shares he…

Read more »

Light trails from traffic moving down The Mound in central Edinburgh, Scotland during December
Investing Articles

£10,000 invested in Aston Martin shares at Christmas is now worth…

Aston Martin shares have fallen from above £10 in early 2020 to pennies today. Is this the perfect time for…

Read more »