Chart Of The Day: Why We’re Contrarian On ESG Darling, Vertex Pharmaceuticals

 | Jul 15, 2021 23:45

Last month, Investor's Business Daily rated Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:VRTX) number four on its list of the best ESG stocks, awarding the company high marks for its environmental, social and governance values and practices.

The site also noted that investing in Vertex wasn't a trade-off for ethics-focused investors looking for stock strength and growth potential. The rating also reflected “broad strength in fundamental and technical areas linked to stock price performance.”

The Massachusetts-based biotech specializes in gene-editing therapies for a number of diseases including cystic fibrosis. Bank of America Managing Director Geoff Meacham concurs on the fundamentals, targeting a share price of around $275 over the next 12 months, a $75, or 28% increase from its current $198 level over the next 12 months.

The company is slated to release Q2 earnings on Thursday, July 28, after the close. It's forecast to post an EPS of $2.19 on $1.72 billion of revenue.

We're also betting on a $75 move, but in the opposite direction. Our price target points lower, to $125, for an approximate 38% decline in value. That's because, on Vertex's technical chart, the balance of supply and demand is primed for a steep decline.