** GSK rises 2.7 pct on multiple reports of bidspec, adding to reasons to have the firm as a top pick in pharmaafter a lacklustre YTD
** Talk doing the rounds that Pfizer a possible bidder at£19/shr
** Valuation compelling, most notably as a pair tradeagainst UK-listed peer Shire. Chart: http://link.reuters.com/vax35w
** Shire has been the standout pharma stock in Europe sincethe abandonment of the AbbVie deal, rising 45 pct
** GSK cheaper than Shire on P/E, EV/sales, EV/EBITDA, 6.2pct dividend yield also supportive. Chart: http://link.reuters.com/wax35w
** Glaxo at the bottom of its EPS downgrade cycle whileShire still well-liked by sell-side. Chart: http://link.reuters.com/tax35w
** 7 "sell", 17 "hold", 8 "buy" on GSK v just 1 "sell" (6"hold", 12 "buy") on Shire (RM: alasdair.pal.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)