Amgen's Rollercoaster: Funds Dumping Shares While Earnings Party On – A Salty Take

Oh, for fuck's sake, here we go again with the institutional investors playing hot potato with Amgen ($AMGN) shares. Candriam S.C.A., that fancy European asset manager, just slashed its holdings by a cheeky 12% in the third quarter, dumping 60,500 shares like they suddenly realized biotech stocks aren't their vibe. But hold your pitchforks, diamond-handed degens – Amgen's still their 27th biggest holding, so maybe this is less 'abandon ship' and more 'trimming the fat' after a wild ride. Or is it? Let's salt this due diligence with some cold, hard facts and a side of sarcasm, because nothing says 'funny' like watching big money fumble while the company's popping champagne on earnings.

The Great Candriam Share Purge: Smarter Than Us or Just Salty?

Picture this: You're at a buffet, you've loaded up on prime rib (that's Amgen for you, a biotech beast), and then midway through, you decide to shove half of it back because... reasons? That's Candriam for you. They reduced their stake from whatever it was before to now holding Amgen as a solid but not top-tier position. No dramatic exit, just a 12% haircut. Why? Who the hell knows – filings don't spill the tea on fund manager therapy sessions. But in a market where everyone's chasing the next AI hype train, maybe they're reallocating to something shinier. Or perhaps they peeked at the tea leaves and saw storm clouds.

Speaking of storms, recent insider selling hasn't helped the vibe. Amgen execs have been cashing out checks, which always smells a bit fishy, like they're whispering 'sell while it's hot' to their golf buddies. But let's not jump to conspiracy theories; insiders sell for mortgages, kids' college, or just because they can. Still, it adds to the salty narrative that maybe the C-suite knows something we don't. Or maybe they're just diversifying their yacht fund.

Earnings Beat: Amgen Flexing Harder Than Your Gym Bro

Fast forward to the good shit – Amgen's Q4 earnings dropped like a mic at a rap battle, smashing expectations left and right. Revenue? Up. Profits? Fatter than expected. The numbers don't lie, even if the market's ADHD sometimes forgets. They beat EPS estimates by a mile, and the stock? It rallied like it chugged a Red Bull. Analysts, those perpetual optimists with their fancy models, upgraded their targets faster than you can say 'buy the dip.'

But wait, there's more! Amgen jacked up its quarterly dividend to $2.52 per share. That's not chump change; it's a solid yield for income chasers who aren't into crypto roulette. And the cherry on top? Optimistic FY2026 guidance that has Wall Street nodding along like it's the second coming. Projections for growth in key areas, pipeline humming – it's all there in the reports, no bullshit invented here.

CVS Drama: Cheaper Drugs Stealing Amgen's Lunch Money

Now, let's roast the elephant in the room: CVS Health, that pharmacy giant, decided to swap out some of Amgen's bone-disease drugs for knockoff alternatives because, surprise, cheaper is better for their bottom line. We're talking meds for osteoporosis and the like, where Amgen's premium pricing is getting sidelined for generic glory. Headwinds? You bet. This could nibble at revenues, especially if more chains follow suit. It's like Amgen brought a Ferrari to a go-kart race – fancy, but not always the most practical.

Is this a death knell? Nah, probably just a speed bump. Amgen's got a diversified portfolio: Oncology, rare diseases, inflammation – they're not putting all eggs in the bone basket. But it stings, doesn't it? Especially when funds like Candriam are already lightening up. Coincidence? Or are they sniffing out these reimbursement battles before the rest of us?

The Insider Sell-Off: Smells Like Teen Spirit... Or Just Bills?

Diving deeper into the salt mines, that insider selling we mentioned? It's been a trickle, not a flood, but enough to make you side-eye the boardroom. Over the past few months, a handful of executives unloaded shares worth millions. Legal, sure – they file the forms, disclose everything. But in the court of public opinion (read: stock forums), it's fuel for the 'they know something' fire. Pair that with Candriam's cut, and you've got a recipe for paranoia pancakes.

Yet, Amgen's fundamentals scream resilience. Their rare disease drugs are printing money, and the biosimilars game? They're playing both sides – developing their own while defending patents. It's a biotech chess match, and Amgen's grandmaster status isn't fading overnight.

Guidance Glow-Up: FY2026 or Bust?

Ah, the future – where optimists thrive and pessimists get rich quick (or broke). Amgen's FY2026 guidance is all sunshine: Double-digit revenue growth projected, EPS climbing, and R&D pipeline bursting with potential blockbusters. Analysts ate it up, with upgrades from the likes of... well, the usual suspects. Stock's up double digits year-to-date, shrugging off the fund dumps like a boss.

But let's keep it real: Biotech's volatile as hell. Patent cliffs loom, FDA approvals are a crapshoot, and competition's fiercer than a Black Friday sale. CVS's move is just one poke; imagine if payers across the board go budget mode. Still, Amgen's war chest is deep – cash flows strong, balance sheet solid. They're not some fly-by-night startup begging for venture cash.

Roasting the Big Picture: Diamond Hands or Paper Cuts?

So, what's the salty verdict? Candriam's 12% trim feels like a hedge against uncertainty, but Amgen's firing on all cylinders with earnings, dividends, and guidance that could make a bear reconsider hibernation. Insider sales? Annoying, but not apocalyptic. CVS swap? A bruise, not a broken bone.

In this meme-fied market, $AMGN's the grizzled veteran taking punches but still standing. Funds bailing might be smart money or just FOMO on greener pastures. Either way, it's a reminder: Due diligence ain't about hype; it's about sifting through the BS for the gold. And right now, Amgen's got more gold than a pirate's stash, headwinds be damned.

Word to the wise: Markets love to humble the cocky. But if you're eyeing biotech, Amgen's track record is harder to ignore than a bad tattoo.

Sources

• Candriam S.C.A. Cuts Holdings in Amgen Inc. $AMGN - MarketBeat