Pfizer stock received a Buy rating from BMO Capital on August 17, 2026, following the company’s strong second-quarter earnings beat earlier that month. BMO Capital analyst Evan Seigerman maintained the bullish stance with a $30 price target as Pfizer demonstrated momentum in its non-COVID pharmaceutical portfolio.
Pfizer reported second-quarter 2026 revenue of $15.0 billion on August 4, 2026, exceeding analyst consensus expectations. The company raised its full-year 2026 revenue guidance by $500 million at the midpoint to a range of $60.5 billion to $62.5 billion, signaling confidence in sustained demand for its key products.
The earnings beat was driven by strong performance from Pfizer’s core drug portfolio. Eliquis, the blood thinner, generated $2.43 billion in sales during the quarter, up 19% year-over-year and well above analyst expectations of $2.08 billion. Cancer therapy Padcev posted 23% operational revenue growth to $667 million, exceeding the roughly $634 million expected. Vyndaqel, a heart failure treatment, also contributed to growth, with the overall non-COVID biopharmaceutical portfolio expanding 18% operationally.
BMO Capital’s positive stance reflects broader analyst recognition of Pfizer’s ability to offset COVID-related revenue declines through growth in specialty medicines. The rating came at a time when Pfizer faced headwinds from patent expirations and reduced pandemic demand, but the company’s recent insider activity and pipeline progress signaled potential upside. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla purchased $1 million of company stock at $26.34 in mid-August, days after the earnings announcement.
The broader analyst community remains cautious on Pfizer stock. Wall Street consensus rates the stock a Hold, with an average price target of approximately $28.28 to $28.79. This reflects a mix of bullish views from firms like BMO Capital and Guggenheim Securities, which maintain Buy ratings, alongside more conservative positions from other analysts concerned about near-term patent losses and slower growth prospects.
Pfizer’s Q2 performance and raised guidance marked a turning point for a company that has struggled with investor sentiment since the post-pandemic decline in COVID-19 vaccine and treatment demand. The strength in Eliquis and Padcev suggests the company’s acquired assets and specialty medicine focus are delivering value, even as overall revenue growth remains modest on an operational basis.
Sources
- Pfizer Investor Relations — Q2 2026 earnings press release with revenue figures and guidance raise
- CNBC — Q2 2026 earnings report with Eliquis and Padcev sales details
- Reuters — Q2 2026 earnings coverage including Padcev sales and analyst expectations
- CNN Markets / TipRanks — BMO Capital Buy rating announcement on August 17, 2026
- MarketBeat — Analyst consensus rating and price target summary
