Even After Recent Gains, AstraZeneca plc And GlaxoSmithKline plc Are Still Cheap!

If you’re a conservative value investor, you might think that AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN) and GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK) look expensive at present levels. However, if you’re an income or growth investor then the two companies are still cheap, even after recent gains. 

You see, while Astra and Glaxo may look expensive compared to the rest of their blue-chip peers — Astra and Glaxo trade at forward P/E ratios of 17.7 and 17.1 respectively, compared to the FTSE 100 average P/E of 16 — these two companies are worth paying a premium for.

Unseen growth 

Astra has come under pressure during the past few years for the company’s lack of growth and dependence upon one key drug, Crestor, for the majority of its sales. 

Unfortunately, the company’s sales are predicted to keep falling for the next two years, although over the past year Astra has made considerable progress reducing its dependence on one key treatment. 

For example, the company amazed the market last year when it broke records for the number of treatment approved for sale by regulators in the space of twelve months. Additionally, only last week the company published a study confirming that its Brilinta blood thinner significantly lowered the risk of heart attacks for patients. The results of this study alone could unlock billions in sales for Astra.

All these developments add up and will help Astra achieve its goal of reporting annual sales of $45bn by 2023. Based on historic profit margin figures, if the company manages to hit this sales target, Astra will report earnings per share of £4.43 by 2023.

Considering the fact that many high-growth pharmaceutical companies are currently trading at a multiple of 20 times forward earnings, in theory Astra’s shares could hit £88.60 by 2023.

Consumer goods

Glaxo isn’t having as much success on the drug development front as Astra. However, the company is making strong progress in other areas.

For example, Glaxo has recently reorganised its business to focus more on consumer healthcare assets and vaccines. Granted, these aren’t the most exciting sectors to be involved in but they are extremely important to the company.  

You see, global demand for consumer healthcare products and vaccines is relatively stable. This gives Glaxo a predictable income stream. The company has also been able to reduce its dependence on one-off blockbuster treatments.

As a result of these two factors, Glaxo’s dividend yield is safer than most and the company should be a top pick for income seekers. Glaxo’s shares currently support a dividend yield of 5% and the payout is covered one-and-a-half times by earnings per share.

Furthermore, Glaxo’s defensive nature and impressive dividend yield makes the company the perfect long-term ‘buy and forget’ share.