Amgen Inc.

Stock Selection Guide Updated. The SSG for Amgen has been updated. 5-year EPS was projected using the “preferred procuredure” with the following assumptions: revenue growth of 15%, pretax margin 40.4%, tax rate of 26.5% and outstanding shares of 1,175 million. This results in a projected average return of 13.9% using an averate high PE of 29 and average low PE of 16.5. This puts Amgen in the “buy” range. Both IAS and First Call’s analysts consensus project growth at 20%, so the 15% projected growth used in the SSG is conservative.

For the fifth time, Amgen has been named one of the “100 Best Companies to Work for in America” by Fortune magazine. Also, Amgen ranked fifth in The Scientist’s annual survey of the best workplaces for 2004. Details.  Amgen also has an excellent website for investors.

From December 2004 Investor Advisory Service by IClub: IAS also has Amgen in the “buy” range. “Amgen reported continuing solid results for the third quarter of 2004 with total product sales up 23%. On an adjusted basis, excluding one-time factors relating to the company’s acquisition of Tularik, earnings per share growth was 39%. The company also increased guidance for expected earnings per share for the year from about $2.35-$2.40. The sales guidance was also improved to about $10.4 billion for the year. While the company is dependant on a limited number of products, these have continued to grow and sell well. There are also a number of interesting new possibilities in the process of development. Certainly Amgen is the most successful of the world’s biotech companies. AMGN (59.87) is a buy up to 82.”

Company Description: Amgen Inc. uses biotechnology to develop and manufacture human therapteutic agents in the areas of hematology, oncology, and inflammation. Important products: Aranesp/Epogen (19%/29% of 2003 sales) for anemia related to cancer chemotherapy and chronic kidney failure; Neulasta/Neupogen (15%/15%), a stimulator of the immune system, and Enbrel (16%) for rheumatoid arthritis. Int’l business: 13% of 2003 sales. 2003 deprec. rate: 6.3%; R&D, 20% of sales. Acquired Immunex 7/02. Has 12,900 employees; 16,000 stockholders. Officers & dir. own 4.5% of stock; other major investors, 18.2% (4/04 Proxy). Chairman & CEO: K.W. Sharer. Inc.: Delaware. Address: One Amgen Center Dr., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel.: 805-447-1000. Internet: www.amgen.com