Regeneron attributed its earnings beat to strong sales for its Covid-19 antibody cocktail
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:REGN) threw its hat into the earnings ring this morning, reporting third-quarter earnings and revenue that trounced Wall Street's estimates. The company also posted U.S. sales of $676.7 million for the quarter for its REGEN-COV treatment, which almost doubled the $320.5 million analysts expected. REGN chalked up its quarterly win up to strong sales of its Covid-19 antibody cocktail and other treatments.
Despite its upbeat quarterly report, REGN was last seen down 1.8% at $640.86, though earlier it hit its highest level since mid-September at $659.79. The security recently took a nosedive to the $540 level from its Sept. 3 all-time high of $686.62, thanks to pressure at its 10-day moving average and a massive bear gap, but quickly recovered in late October. Plus, the equity still boasts an impressive 31% year-to-date lead, and the $630 level could emerge as a floor on the charts.
Options bulls have taken advantage of REGN's late-October bounce. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), REGN sports a 10-day call/put volume ratio of 3.35, which stands higher than 91% of readings from the past year. In other words, long calls are being picked up at a quicker-than-usual clip.
Options bulls are still in control today, with 1,709 calls and 753 puts across the tape so far -- double the intraday average. The most popular position is the weekly 11/12 700-strike call, followed by the weekly 11/5 650-strike call.
And while analysts remain on the sidelines following the company's earnings, the majority were bullish coming into today. Of the 16 in coverage, 10 brokerages considered Regeneron stock a "strong buy" versus the remaining six that held a tepid "hold" rating. Plus, the 12-month consensus price target of $697.39 is an 8.8% premium to current levels.