Why is Amgen stock sliding today?

Amgen's stock experienced a 2.2% decline in trading, settling at $382.67, following a downgrade by HSBC and a series of negative factors impacting the company. The downgrade, which lowered the stock's target price, was fueled by HSBC's assessment that Amgen has limited near-term upside, despite strong performance earlier in the year.

Additionally, patent expirations are expected to cap revenue growth, with key pipeline drugs like MariTide, olpasiran, and Imdelltra projected to generate revenue only after late 2027. This pessimistic outlook was further reinforced by BMO Capital Markets cutting Amgen's rating to Market Perform, citing a less favorable risk-reward balance following Novartis's failed Phase III trial for its Lp(a)-lowering drug, pelacarsen.

The broader market also contributed to the pressure, with major indices falling as traders adopted a risk-averse stance ahead of inflation data. While some positive news emerged, such as Amgen's positive trial results for Imdelltra in small-cell lung cancer, the broader market concerns and unresolved challenges in the Lp(a) class, alongside the UK's suspension of Tavneos, kept Amgen shares under pressure today.