Analyst Akash Tewari of Jefferies maintained a Buy rating on Pfizer (PFE – Research Report), retaining the price target of $34.00.
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Akash Tewari’s rating is based on the analysis of the new coronavirus strain HKU5-CoV-2, which, although capable of infecting human cells, shows significantly lower potential for human-to-human transmission compared to SARS-CoV-2. The virus exhibits a much weaker affinity for the human ACE2 receptor and less efficient spike protein cleavage, both of which are critical factors in viral infectivity and spread.
Furthermore, broad-spectrum antiviral treatments, including Pfizer’s Paxlovid, have been effective in inhibiting HKU5-CoV-2 in vitro, suggesting that existing treatments could manage potential infections. The lack of significant mutations that could enhance the virus’s ability to infect humans further supports the assessment that the immediate risk of a pandemic is low. These factors collectively underpin the Buy rating for Pfizer, as the company’s antiviral treatments could see potential upside if the virus were to adapt in the future.
Tewari covers the Healthcare sector, focusing on stocks such as Eli Lilly & Co, Merck & Company, and Pfizer. According to TipRanks, Tewari has an average return of 10.3% and a 50.56% success rate on recommended stocks.