Tornado Damage at Pfizer Plant Boosts Rivals’ Shares
A tornado that caused significant damage to a Pfizer plant in Rocky Mount, North Carolina has had an unexpected consequence – it has boosted the shares of competitors in the pharmaceutical industry. The plant, which is one of the world’s largest sterile injectable product facilities, suffered heavy damage from the tornado. This has led to a surge in the shares of UK pharmaceutical company Hikma, as well as German rival Fresenius.
Pfizer’s Rocky Mount facility is responsible for producing nearly 25% of all sterile injectables used in US hospitals, according to the company’s website. As a result, the disruption caused by the tornado has created an opportunity for other suppliers in the market. Hikma, the second-largest supplier in the US injectables market, experienced a significant increase in its shares, rising by as much as 9.4% – the largest one-day increase since September of last year. This surge pushed Hikma’s shares to an 18-month high. Similarly, shares in Fresenius, another major supplier to the US injectables market, rose by over 6% at one stage.
Analysts believe that Hikma’s rise in shares can be attributed to the problems faced by Pfizer in supplying the market. “It is a very large manufacturing facility, therefore I think the read across to Hikma is that they are the second-largest supplier and they will benefit from the problems Pfizer has supplying the market,” explained Max Herrmann, a healthcare analyst at Stifel. He also noted that Hikma’s own supply is already constrained, further highlighting the potential for increased demand and market share.
In response to the situation, a spokesperson for Hikma stated that the company will collaborate with the US Food and Drug Administration and other relevant parties to assess any potential supply shortages. They also emphasized their commitment to addressing these issues and supporting the needs of patients across the US. Hikma, with a market value of around $5.6bn (€5bn), is significantly smaller than Pfizer, which has a market value of $205.7bn, and Fresenius, valued at $16.7bn.
Fresenius, through its generic hospital drugs unit Kabi, is a direct competitor to Pfizer in the US injectables market. Analysts at JP Morgan believe that the tornado’s impact on Pfizer’s facility could potentially benefit Kabi. However, they noted that further confirmation of the extent of the damage and the facility’s recovery timeline is needed to accurately gauge the impact on the market.
In conclusion, the tornado damage to Pfizer’s plant in North Carolina has had a ripple effect in the pharmaceutical industry. While Pfizer faces challenges in supplying the market, competitors like Hikma and Fresenius have seen a surge in their shares. The full extent of the impact remains to be seen, but it is clear that this unforeseen event has created new opportunities for other players in the US injectables market.