WHATS AILING PFIZER?
While Pfizer has fallen from favor on Wall Street, its arch rival, Merck, has won back investors in the past six months as its stock has risen 55% to 59 from its July low of 38, leaving it about where it stood a year ago. Merck’s showing is surprising because the company probably had no growth in 2002 profits while Pfizer’s earnings likely rose 18% (Pfizer is due to report its 2002 results Wednesday and Merck on Jan. 28).
