Pfizer

Pfizer Spins Off Zoetis, Biggest IPO Since Facebook, Shares Soar

Pfizer's animal health business Zoetis has raised about $2.2 billion in its initial public offering of 86.1 million shares, and the stock is expected to begin trading Friday. Merck & Co.'s fourth-quarter profit fell 7 percent as generic competition slashed sales of its blockbuster allergy drug Singulair.

Pfizer Earnings Help Lift Stocks, Pushing Dow Toward 14,000

Pfizer helped keep the stock market rally alive Tuesday. The drugmaker's stock gained after posting strong earnings, pushing the Dow closer to 14,000. The Standard and Poor's 500 also rose, adding eight points to 1,507.84 points. The Nasdaq composite dropped less than a point to 3,153.66.

Hurricane Sandy Leads Companies to Postpone Earnings Reports

A number of major U.S. companies postponed quarterly earnings reports Monday as Hurricane Sandy bore down on the East Coast and financial markets were closed: Among the biggies waiting until the rain stops: Pfizer, Thomson Reuters, NRG Energy, and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.

A Simple Strategy to Boost Your Returns

Options: It's a word that makes you shiver with fear or salivate at opportunity. In fact, there's one options strategy that's almost certain to add some extra money to your portfolio over time, without adding lots of risk. It's the technique known as writing covered calls, and it's perfect for times like this.

Was Dr. Oz's Apple Juice 'Crisis' a Ratings Ploy?

Last week, TV host Dr. Mehmet Oz took on apple juice, declaring that the classic drink may be slowly poisoning America's children with arsenic. But the FDA and the juice companies have credibly refuted his claims. So was Dr. Oz's announcement meant to be a legitimate health warning, or just a cynical attempt to boost ratings?

Big Pharma Ads Flaunt FDA Rules

Officially, it's the FDA's job to ensure that pharmaceutical ads adhere to guidelines. But the agency's annual compliance budget is $9 million, while drug companies spend $58 billion a year on marketing. So it comes as no surprise that only 18% of ads are in compliance with the rules. But it's still disturbing: This is your health.

Which Comes First: Jobs or Profits?

Lots of companies are laying off workers, trying to cut costs and improve their profit margins. But how should investors view the news of job cuts at a company? As a sign of deep trouble and worse to come, or as proof of committed management and better times ahead? Here's how to read the pink slips.