Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a NASDAQ listed security that has been trading in a range between $2.91 and $4.52 over the past year. With 85,965,250 shares outstanding, a recent price of $3.19 gives a total market capitalization of $267,351,918. While there are certainly larger companies, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc. has definitely earned its place in the pack. Last year, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc. created $-0.80 in earnings for every share outstanding.

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc. is currently priced by the market at 0.00 times last year’s earnings. Many trading multiples around the world are quite attractive these days, but don’t be fooled. A Price to Earnings ratio of 0 simply means that the security didn’t make any money last year.

With a share price under $50 a share and earnings per share below $1 a share, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc. is unlikely to be an interesting value proposition. Consistent earnings are the key to high valuations and this security is not on its way.

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