Amgen is a global biotechnology leader focused on developing innovative human therapeutics from biological sources.
The company is defined by its science-driven approach and boasts a premier portfolio of blockbuster drugs for serious illnesses.
Updated: January 14, 2026, 16:00 EST
Technical Analysis AMGN has shown impressive upward momentum with returns of 9.77% over three months, notably outperforming the market by 6.4%. Its low beta of 0.45 indicates below-market volatility, making it relatively stable despite trading near 52-week highs. The manageable drawdown of -19.88% supports the resilience of its uptrend, though current levels suggest the stock is fully valued after its rally.
Fundamentals Revenue growth and profitability are strengths, with quarterly revenue rising to $9.56 billion and net income doubling to $3.22 billion. However, high debt levels—evident in a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.67—pose a concern, though the interest coverage ratio of 3.69 indicates debt servicing is manageable. Operational efficiency is solid, with a high return on equity of 33.4%, though modest asset turnover reflects the capital-intensive nature of the industry.
Valuation & Peer Comparison AMGN’s forward PE of 11.8 and PEG of 0.095 suggest attractive earnings growth potential relative to its price. While PB and EV/EBITDA ratios are elevated, they likely account for intangible assets and future prospects. Without direct peer data, its low PEG and moderate PE appear competitive within the biopharma sector, signaling reasonable valuation given growth expectations.
Risk Assessment The stock’s low beta implies reduced sensitivity to market swings, yet a near-20% drawdown highlights vulnerability to declines. Liquidity is strong, and low short interest indicates limited bearish sentiment. Key risks include industry-specific challenges like pipeline setbacks or patent expirations, though AMGN’s diverse portfolio offers some cushion.
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AMGN presents a compelling case for investment, combining stable technical momentum, robust profitability, and attractive growth metrics at a reasonable forward valuation. While elevated debt and premium multiples warrant caution, the company’s operational strength and low volatility provide a defensive edge. For investors seeking exposure to a mature biopharma leader with growth potential, AMGN appears well-positioned for steady returns.
*Note: This is not investment advice, for reference only.*
Based on the comprehensive analysis, here is the 12-month outlook for Amgen (AMGN):
The primary catalyst for AMGN over the next year is the commercial execution and market expansion for its newer growth drivers, particularly its obesity drug portfolio, which has the potential to significantly offset concerns from older products facing patent expirations. The company's robust profitability, operational strength, and attractive PEG ratio suggest underlying value if it can deliver on its growth expectations. However, key risks include the elevated debt load, which could pressure financial flexibility, and the inherent volatility of drug development, such as pipeline setbacks or competitive pressures in the obesity market. Given the current price near 52-week highs and the absence of a specific analyst target, a cautious yet optimistic target price range would be in the mid-$300s, contingent on successful execution of its growth strategy.
Most Wall Street analysts are optimistic about AMGN's 12-month outlook, with consensus target around $328.97, indicating expected upside potential.
Overall, AMGN has investment potential but also faces challenges. Here are key factors to weigh before investing.
AMGN has demonstrated strong outperformance with moderate volatility over the past year.
The stock has posted solid gains of 2.18% over one month and a robust 9.77% over three months, significantly outperforming the market by 6.4% during the latter period. This consistent upward momentum, coupled with its low beta of 0.45, indicates stable, above-average returns with below-market volatility. The strong relative strength confirms AMGN's favorable short-term trajectory.
At $324.3, AMGN trades near the upper end of its 52-week range, approximately 83% above its low and 6% below its high. While not at an extreme overbought level, the current position suggests the stock is fully valued after its substantial rally. The manageable maximum drawdown of -19.88% over the past year further supports the stability of its upward trend.
| Period | AMGN Return | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 1m | +3.5% | +1.3% |
| 3m | +13.4% | +5.7% |
| 6m | +10.9% | +10.6% |
| 1y | +22.3% | +16.5% |
| ytd | +0.4% | +1.1% |
Revenue & Profitability AMGN demonstrated solid revenue growth, increasing from $9.17 billion to $9.56 billion quarter-over-quarter. The company maintains impressive profitability with a gross profit ratio of 67.8% and a net income ratio of 33.7%, reflecting strong pricing power and cost management. The significant improvement in net income from $1.43 billion to $3.22 billion highlights effective operational execution.
Financial Health The company's financial health shows a leveraged position with a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.67 and total debt capitalization of 85%. While the current ratio of 1.28 indicates adequate short-term liquidity, the interest coverage ratio of 3.69 suggests manageable debt servicing capacity. The cash flow to debt ratio of 0.09 indicates modest free cash flow generation relative to the debt load.
Operational Efficiency AMGN demonstrates strong operational efficiency with a robust return on equity of 33.4%, though the return on assets is modest at 3.6% due to the large asset base. The asset turnover of 0.11 reflects the capital-intensive nature of the biopharmaceutical industry, while inventory turnover of 0.49 suggests conservative inventory management relative to sales volume.
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Try Now & Get Tesla Stock RewardValuation Level: AMGN appears attractively valued with a forward PE of 11.8 and PEG ratio of just 0.095, indicating strong earnings growth potential relative to its valuation. However, the elevated PB ratio of 18.22 and high EV/EBITDA of 33.3 suggest the market is pricing in significant intangible assets and future profitability. The trailing PE of 19.04 and PS ratio of 4.95 reflect a premium valuation that appears justified by the company's growth prospects.
Peer Comparison: Without industry average data, a direct peer comparison cannot be established. However, AMGN's forward PE below 12 and exceptionally low PEG ratio would typically compare favorably against most pharmaceutical companies. The high PB and EV/EBITDA ratios may reflect AMGN's premium positioning within the biotechnology sector relative to generic manufacturers but would require industry benchmarks for proper context.
Volatility Risk: AMGN exhibits low volatility relative to the market, as indicated by its Beta of 0.45, suggesting it is less sensitive to broad market swings. However, the stock experienced a moderate maximum drawdown of -19.88% over the past year, demonstrating that it is still susceptible to significant price declines despite its lower beta, which could impact investors with shorter time horizons.
Other Risks: A noteworthy positive factor is the absence of significant short interest, implying a lack of substantial bearish sentiment from sophisticated investors. From a liquidity perspective, as a large-cap, heavily-traded biopharmaceutical company, AMGN generally maintains strong market liquidity, though it remains exposed to standard industry-specific risks such as drug development setbacks and patent expirations.
Bullish. AMGN offers strong earnings growth potential at a reasonable forward P/E of 11.8, demonstrated by robust quarterly results and key drug momentum. Its low beta of 0.45 provides defensive characteristics with lower volatility than the market. This stock is suitable for long-term investors seeking a stable, growth-oriented biopharma holding, though its high valuation multiples and leverage warrant a focus on continued execution.
AMGN appears fairly valued overall. While its forward PE of 11.8 and exceptionally low PEG ratio of 0.095 suggest undervaluation based on growth prospects, this is offset by premium valuation metrics including a PB ratio of 18.22 and PS ratio of 4.95. The elevated multiples reflect AMGN's strong profitability (33.7% net margin) and growth expectations, but are balanced by its high debt load (85% debt capitalization). Compared to typical pharmaceutical companies, AMGN trades at a reasonable premium justified by its operational excellence and earnings growth potential.
Based on the provided information, here are the key risks of holding AMGN stock, ordered by importance.
1. Financial Risk: The company carries a highly leveraged balance sheet with a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.67 and total debt capitalization of 85%, increasing its vulnerability to rising interest rates or earnings setbacks. 2. Business/Industry Risk: As a biopharmaceutical company, AMGN remains exposed to significant industry-specific risks, including potential drug development failures and patent expirations on key products. 3. Valuation Risk: The stock trades near the upper end of its 52-week range after a substantial rally, suggesting it may be fully valued and susceptible to a price correction. 4. Market Risk: Despite its low beta, the stock experienced a maximum drawdown of nearly -20% in the past year, indicating it is still prone to significant price declines during market downturns.
Based on Amgen's current position and outlook, my forecast for AMGN stock through 2026 is for moderate growth, driven primarily by the successful commercialization of its obesity portfolio.
I project a base case target price range of $360-$390 and a bull case of $410-$450 by 2026, contingent on strong uptake of its obesity drugs (MariTide) and effective management of its patent cliff and debt load. The key assumptions are successful Phase 3 data and regulatory approval for its obesity drug, market share capture in the competitive GLP-1 space, and stable performance from its core portfolio. However, this forecast carries significant uncertainty related to clinical trial outcomes, intense competition from leaders like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, and the company's high financial leverage. Ultimately, Amgen's ability to translate its promising pipeline into commercial success will be the decisive factor for reaching the upper end of this range.