Why Pfizer Should Take The Plunge And Sell Its Consumer Biz

Back in November, reports circulated that Pfizer (PFE) was considering selling its consumer business. Then...nothing. Now Morgan Stanley analyst David Risinger and team are out with a note calling for Pfizer to do just that.Illustration: Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

Risinger offers three reasons “why Pfizer may consider exiting” its consumer business:

1) Maximizing value for Consumer could help enhance shareholder value, even though Consumer only represents a small percentage of Pfizer’s market cap of $200B. PFE shares have underperformed the DRG index. 2017 YTD PFE is up +3% vs DRG’s +11%; over the past year PFE is +1% vs. the DRG +4%.