Markets

Insider Trading

Hedge Funds

Retirement

Opinion

Does West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) Have Attractive Growth Drivers?

Artisan Partners, an investment management company, released its “Artisan Mid Cap Fund” second quarter 2024 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In the second quarter, the fund’s Investor Class fund ARTMX returned -5.73%, Advisor Class fund APDMX posted a return of -5.67%, and Institutional Class fund APHMX returned -5.64%, compared to a -3.21% return for the Russell Midcap Growth Index. The portfolio generated negative absolute returns and underperformed the index in the second quarter. Modest negative security selection across multiple sectors, including information technology, industrials, communication services, and health care led to the underperformance and was partially offset by outperformance within consumer discretionary. In addition, please check the fund’s top five holdings to know its best picks in 2024.

Artisan Mid Cap Fund highlighted stocks like West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST), in the second quarter 2024 investor letter. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST) designs, manufactures and sells containment and delivery systems for injectable drugs and healthcare products. The one-month return of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST) was 2.19%, and its shares lost 14.65% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On July 16, 2024, West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST) stock closed at $329.11 per share with a market capitalization of $24.093 billion.

Artisan Mid Cap Fund stated the following regarding West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST) in its Q2 2024 investor letter:

“Along with Lattice Semiconductor, Celsius and Tyler Technologies, notable adds in the quarter included West Pharmaceutical Services, MACOM and Liberty Formula One. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST) is a leading packaging components supplier for injectable pharmaceuticals, including rubber stoppers, seals and plungers. We are attracted to the company’s long-term growth drivers, which are fueled by its nearly 100% participation in new biologic drug approvals and a steady shift in demand toward the company’s higher value-add components. However, those tailwinds have been masked in recent years by the rapid growth and decline of COVID-19 vaccines and then by elevated customer inventories of packaging components that were purchased to derisk COVID-related supply chain constraints. Inventory destocking continued to weigh on West’s growth in the quarter, but we believe customer orders support a reacceleration of growth in the second half of 2024. This is in part supported by the company’s capacity expansions in order to support the rapid growth of GLP-1 drugs to treat diabetes and obesity, a category we expect to materially drive growth in the coming years. With the valuation having reached attractive levels, and with profit acceleration likely near, we added to our position.”

A closeup of multiple drug containment systems in an array of colors.

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST) is not on our list of 31 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 46 hedge fund portfolios held West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST) at the end of the first quarter which was 42 in the previous quarter. In the first quarter, as expected, West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST) experienced a low single-digit decrease in organic sales, a decline in operating profit, and diluted EPS. The company reported net sales of $695.4 million in the quarter, down 3% year over year. While we acknowledge the potential of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST) as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is as promising as NVIDIA but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

In another article, we discussed West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST) and shared the list of best dividend aristocrats stocks according to analysts. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q2 2024 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors.

READ NEXT: Michael Burry Is Selling These Stocks and A New Dawn Is Coming to US Stocks.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.

Undervalued AI Stock Poised for Massive Gains: 10,000% Upside

Artificial intelligence is the greatest investment opportunity of our lifetime. The time to invest in groundbreaking AI is now, and this stock is a steal!

My #1 AI stock pick delivered solid gains since the beginning of 2025 while popular AI stocks like NVDA and AVGO lost around 25%.

The numbers speak for themselves: while giants of the AI world bleed, our AI pick delivers, showcasing the power of our research and the immense opportunity waiting to be seized.

The whispers are turning into roars.

Artificial intelligence isn’t science fiction anymore.

It’s the revolution reshaping every industry on the planet.

From driverless cars to medical breakthroughs, AI is on the cusp of a global explosion, and savvy investors stand to reap the rewards.

Here’s why this is the prime moment to jump on the AI bandwagon:

Exponential Growth on the Horizon: Forget linear growth – AI is poised for a hockey stick trajectory.

Imagine every sector, from healthcare to finance, infused with superhuman intelligence.

We’re talking disease prediction, hyper-personalized marketing, and automated logistics that streamline everything.

This isn’t a maybe – it’s an inevitability.

Early investors will be the ones positioned to ride the wave of this technological tsunami.

Ground Floor Opportunity: Remember the early days of the internet?

Those who saw the potential of tech giants back then are sitting pretty today.

AI is at a similar inflection point.

We’re not talking about established players – we’re talking about nimble startups with groundbreaking ideas and the potential to become the next Google or Amazon.

This is your chance to get in before the rockets take off!

Disruption is the New Name of the Game: Let’s face it, complacency breeds stagnation.

AI is the ultimate disruptor, and it’s shaking the foundations of traditional industries.

The companies that embrace AI will thrive, while the dinosaurs clinging to outdated methods will be left in the dust.

As an investor, you want to be on the side of the winners, and AI is the winning ticket.

The Talent Pool is Overflowing: The world’s brightest minds are flocking to AI.

From computer scientists to mathematicians, the next generation of innovators is pouring its energy into this field.

This influx of talent guarantees a constant stream of groundbreaking ideas and rapid advancements.

By investing in AI, you’re essentially backing the future.

The future is powered by artificial intelligence, and the time to invest is NOW.

Don’t be a spectator in this technological revolution.

Dive into the AI gold rush and watch your portfolio soar alongside the brightest minds of our generation.

This isn’t just about making money – it’s about being part of the future.

So, buckle up and get ready for the ride of your investment life!

Act Now and Unlock a Potential 10,000% Return: This AI Stock is a Diamond in the Rough (But Our Help is Key!)

The AI revolution is upon us, and savvy investors stand to make a fortune.

But with so many choices, how do you find the hidden gem – the company poised for explosive growth?

That’s where our expertise comes in.

We’ve got the answer, but there’s a twist…

Imagine an AI company so groundbreaking, so far ahead of the curve, that even if its stock price quadrupled today, it would still be considered ridiculously cheap.

That’s the potential you’re looking at. This isn’t just about a decent return – we’re talking about a 10,000% gain over the next decade!

Our research team has identified a hidden gem – an AI company with cutting-edge technology, massive potential, and a current stock price that screams opportunity.

This company boasts the most advanced technology in the AI sector, putting them leagues ahead of competitors.

It’s like having a race car on a go-kart track.

They have a strong possibility of cornering entire markets, becoming the undisputed leader in their field.

Here’s the catch (it’s a good one): To uncover this sleeping giant, you’ll need our exclusive intel.

We want to make sure none of our valued readers miss out on this groundbreaking opportunity!

That’s why we’re slashing the price of our Premium Readership Newsletter by a whopping 70%.

For a ridiculously low price of just $29.99, you can unlock a year’s worth of in-depth investment research and exclusive insights – that’s less than a single restaurant meal!

Here’s why this is a deal you can’t afford to pass up:

• Access to our Detailed Report on this Game-Changing AI Stock: Our in-depth report dives deep into our #1 AI stock’s groundbreaking technology and massive growth potential.

• 11 New Issues of Our Premium Readership Newsletter: You will also receive 11 new issues and at least one new stock pick per month from our monthly newsletter’s portfolio over the next 12 months. These stocks are handpicked by our research director, Dr. Inan Dogan.

• One free upcoming issue of our 70+ page Quarterly Newsletter: A value of $149

• Bonus Reports: Premium access to members-only fund manager video interviews

• Ad-Free Browsing: Enjoy a year of investment research free from distracting banner and pop-up ads, allowing you to focus on uncovering the next big opportunity.

• 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee:  If you’re not absolutely satisfied with our service, we’ll provide a full refund within 30 days, no questions asked.

 

Space is Limited! Only 1000 spots are available for this exclusive offer. Don’t let this chance slip away – subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter today and unlock the potential for a life-changing investment.

Here’s what to do next:

1. Head over to our website and subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter for just $29.99.

2. Enjoy a year of ad-free browsing, exclusive access to our in-depth report on the revolutionary AI company, and the upcoming issues of our Premium Readership Newsletter over the next 12 months.

3. Sit back, relax, and know that you’re backed by our ironclad 30-day money-back guarantee.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! Subscribe now and take control of your AI investment future!


No worries about auto-renewals! Our 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee applies whether you’re joining us for the first time or renewing your subscription a year later!

Could This Company Do for Housing What Tesla Did for Cars?

Home construction has been slow, costly, and inefficient for centuries. To change that, in 2017, Paolo and Galiano Tiramani founded BOXABL, bringing factory-built efficiency to a nearly $5T global home construction industry.

Where traditional homes take 7+ months to build, new homes can roll off BOXABL’s assembly line nearly every 4 hours. Equipped with plumbing, electrical, and HVAC, they’re ready to be delivered and lived in. No wonder they’ve built 600+ already with 190,000+ more reservations from potential buyers.

Now, the Tiramanis are preparing to unlock even more growth opportunities with Phase 2 — where modules can be configured into larger townhomes, single-family homes, and apartments. No wonder they recently reserved the Nasdaq ticker “$BXBL.”

Click to continue reading…