Schering-Plough’s stock (SGP) may be positioned for a “pop” after five years of underperformance. It has recently been upgraded by two analysts and favorably covered by Barron’s, and there is a pending FDA approval date on July 24 for Vytorin, its cholesterol-lowering joint venture with Merck (MRK). Sales of Vytorin could be huge, with some analysts suggesting the drug could capture 20% of the market from statin drugs like Pfizer’s Lipitor and AstraZeneca’s Crestor. This could mean billions in sales for Schering-Plough, which could launch Vytorin as early as September.
