The earnings season for large-cap biotech companies is in full swing with Biogen (BIIB), Amgen (AMGN), and Gilead Sciences (GILD) having already reported quarterly results. Results for Celgene parent Bristol-Myers (BMY) are expected before the market open on Thursday, October 31 with a conference call scheduled for 8:30 am ET. 1. BRISTOL ON A TEAR: Shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb steadily eroded after the company announced its Celgene acquisition in early January, but have been on a steady move upwards since late July. Bristol’s share price is up an astonishing 32% in approximately three months. Amgen’s price performance has also picked up since May, however, Biogen and Gilead are still in negative territory for 2019. 2. HEALTHCARE STOCKS CATCH A BID: In a recent Barron’s story, Ben Levisohn noted that the healthcare stocks are getting “back on their feet.” The author added that the sector benefited from a confluence of factors, including UnitedHealth’s (UNH) stronger than expected earnings, reports of a possible opioid settlement for pharma companies like Teva Pharmaceuticals (TEVA), and the recent Democratic debate that provided the first glimmers of hope that Medicare for All might not be the preferred path among the candidates and that large managed-health companies might survive, even if a Democrat wins the 2020 election. 3. BIOTECH M&A MAY PICKS-UP: Recent biotech deals and news seem to be accelerating this Fall with Biogen’s news on a potential Alzheimer treatment taking center stage in the sector. Biogen, which posted a better than expected earnings report just over a week ago, announced along with Eisai (ESALY) that, after consulting with the FDA, Biogen plans to pursue regulatory approval for aducanumab, an investigational treatment for early Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, rumors of a potential Amgen deal for Alexion (ALXN) are resurfacing of late, as analysts speculate that Amgen’s loss of key drug revenue from Neulasta and Sensipar to biosimilars will spur a bid for the smaller biotech company.