Member Info for Winstanley

Https://www.ft.com/content/d13184db-9fd5-43d0-8883-1bbe8c7305ed

Probably due to uncertainty and weaknesses in leadership from the U.S.

The nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the next US health secretary has unsettled investors, and with Trump constantly fueling uncertainty, it is having a significant impact on many aspects, in my view. Trump appears so extreme that he's even pushing the outrageous idea that single-use plastics should continue to be produced.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/07/climate/trump-paper-straws.html

He British Veterinary Association (BVA) has acknowledged the Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) recognition of the dedication and expertise of veterinary professionals. However, the BVA has expressed concerns that the CMA may not fully understand the complexities involved in providing out-of-hours and referral veterinary services.he BVA emphasizes the importance of these services and seeks to ensure that any regulatory considerations take into account the unique challenges they present.

https://www.bva.co.uk/news-and-blog/news-article/bva-welcomes-cma-s-recognition-of-veterinary-professionals-skill-and-dedication-but-raises-concerns-around-understanding-of-out-of-hours-and-referral-services/

Van Lanschot Kempen has expanded its stake in CVS Group, securing a larger share of the company and surpassing a key ownership threshold. While the increase may seem modest, reaching this level suggests, in my view, a growing interest in the business. Could this be contributing to today's rise in the share price?

The boss of pharma giant GSK has said the UK government must "step up":

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-14367047/GSK-tells-Labour-British-firms-Astra-bust-up.html

https://businessplus.ie/news/gsk-labour-british-firms/

Lucancabur,

I completely agree that the market’s obsession with the vaccines division is top heavy, especially given the inherent volatility in government-driven demand. The shift in focus back to the 'white pill' business is long overdue, and GSK’s investments in this area - along with a solid track record in clinical trials should be getting more attention. Given the broader Trump-driven uncertainty in the U.S., particularly with RFK Jr.'s unfortunate progress, it’s probable that all pharma stocks have been affected by market jitters. That said, GSK’s direction looks strong, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see analysts start to reflect that with some upgrades soon.

Https://www.sharecast.com/news/aim-bulletin/hvivo-reports-positive-results-from-shionogi-rsv-trial--18773032.html

Great results, GSK’s latest financial report highlights strong performance and an improved long-term growth outlook, reaffirming the strength of its drug pipeline. Previously, concerns by pessimists over the sustainability of its R&D efforts cast some doubt , but these results demonstrate that GSK’s strategic focus on innovative vaccines and specialty medicines is paying off. With continued investment in pipeline development and regulatory approvals, it’s clear that past worries have been overblown. Investors can now view GSK’s pipeline as a key driver of sustainable growth.

Https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/media/press-releases/gsk-delivers-strong-2024-performance-with-further-improvement-to-long-term-growth-outlook/

...oh dear:

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/rfk-senate-committee-hhs_n_67a22b5ae4b0cf0f0a35f28a

Oh dear, the lunatics are taking over the asylum!

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/rfk-senate-committee-hhs_n_67a22b5ae4b0cf0f0a35f28a

The sp is up and down today - but mostly down. Is it the expectation of not so good result? or the Trump touch of uncertainty?

Either way, hopefully things will be upbeat tomorrow, GLA.

Charts are confusing, for me anyway, but that’s an interesting observation, s/w.

It does seem to align somewhat with the old saying ‘sell in May and go away.’ While not always reliable, there’s some historical precedent for markets cooling off in the latter half of the year. If the update on Wednesday is strong, it might give the stock a final push before that typical seasonal retreat. (Top-slicing would be nice).

Good luck.

IMO, pharmaceuticals are not immune to tariffs. At best, Trump conveys uncertainty - which the market hates.

Nonetheless, a stronger presence in China could be a vital hedge against potential losses from U.S. tariffs in the future.

Trump could interfere here, by making demands, but more excitingly so could China by means of business deals. Probably tariffs, if they ever happen, and who knows with Trump, would only result in a pyrrhic victory for him.

At the end of the day, if Bill Gates thinks RFK jr is a looney - that confirms it for me:

'As for Trump's first pick for US health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, who claims he isn't anti-vaccination but has promoted debunked claims about vaccines, Gates makes short shrift. He tells me RFK Jr is misleading people.'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2p4p4l78zo

Loosely related, the views of Bill Gates is an interesting story, which is in the BBC news this morning:

'As for Trump's first pick for US health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, who claims he isn't anti-vaccination but has promoted debunked claims about vaccines, Gates makes short shrift. He tells me RFK Jr is misleading people.'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2p4p4l78zo

All good, the trial's inclusion of three dosing levels suggests a more detailed dataset, potentially making hVIVO’s services even more attractive to biopharma firms seeking early-stage insights. Additionally, This could drive further contracts and investor confidence.

Trump's tariff madness could spread to other sectors. AstraZeneca and GSK: Both are heavily reliant on the U.S. for sales, and any tariffs on pharmaceutical products or regulatory retaliation could impact them.

Your notion is very plausible, Jed.

Reports from The Times and Reuters indicate that ITV is in early-stage discussions with RedBird IMI about a potential merger of their production businesses. This time around, the speculation is being covered by more reputable financial media, adding credibility to the possibility, whereas previous reports stemmed from less reliable sources. So, it's fair to say something may be cooking!

If true, the coming weeks could be pivotal in shaping ITV’s strategic direction and assessing the market's response.

Any merger would be subject to UK media regulations designed to safeguard competition and media plurality. However, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves emphasising a pro-growth agenda and pushing for deregulation, the government may view the deal favorably if it delivers clear economic benefits. While DCMS is reportedly modernising media merger laws, any transaction would still require regulatory approval to ensure it aligns with public interest and market competition standards.

Who knows?

Given GSK's significant U.S. footprint and ongoing investments, it is less likely that the company will face the same challenges as AstraZeneca concerning UK government's reduced support, which IMO is justified because of the previous government's legacy of irresponsiblitty. GSK's strategic focus appears to be more aligned with its U.S. operations, potentially mitigating the impact of UK economic conditions on its decision-making processes.