Up 377% since March: Is the Mesoblast share price a buy?

The Mesoblast Limited (ASX: MSB) share price has surged higher in 2020 so what can we expect from the August full-year result?

| More on:
increasing bar graph created from medical tablets

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The Mesoblast Limited (ASX: MSB) share price has been a big success story in 2020. The Mesoblast share price has now rocketed 377.5% higher since bottoming at $1.02 per share in the March bear market.

What does Mesoblast do?

Mesoblast is a leading Aussie biotech company that specialises in regenerative medicine. 

The company has a number of innovative cellular medicines to treat serious and life-threatening diseases.

Specifically, Mesoblast seeks to provide treatments for inflammatory ailments, cardiovascular disease and back pain.

It also has a number of potential product candidates in Phase 3 trials including treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome due to COVID-19 infection.

The Mesoblast share price has been a top performer for a number of years and is up 137.6% since 1 January.

Why is the Mesoblast share price surging higher?

It was a good start to the week for shareholders as the company's shares surged 10.7% higher on Monday.

That was despite no major announcements from the ASX biotech company.

I think investors are anticipating some good news in the coming days or weeks. It's not uncommon to see a company's share price surge ahead of a big announcement such as a successful trial result or product announcement.

There's no firm date for Mesoblast's full-year result but it did report its FY19 result on 30 August 2019.

I think the Mesoblast share price is certainly one to watch. There is obviously strong momentum behind the stock but investors are pricing in a lot of future growth.

That means the FY20 result looms as a real trigger point. If Mesoblast's earnings and research and development pipeline are promising, I'd expect the biotech share to climb higher.

However, if we see a soft result or further headwinds in FY21, investors may pull back from the current valuation.

Foolish takeaway

Whether you're a biotech investor or not, the Mesoblast share price rise has been impressive.

The August full-year result looms as a real make or break for the company's shares this year.

I'm quietly confident of an outperforming result from Mesoblast. I think the company has enough in the way of promising potential products that it is on track for further success in 2020 and beyond.

Either way, I'll be watching any announcements from the Aussie biotech company closely this month.

Motley Fool contributor Ken Hall has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Healthcare Shares

Woman going for a scan reassured by doctor
Healthcare Shares

How AI could boost this ASX 300 healthcare stock

The Firetrail investment management team see AI providing a 'material tailwind' for this stock.

Read more »

A man in a white coat holds a laptop in one hand and his head in the other, it's bad news.
Healthcare Shares

Why is the ResMed share price diving 5% today?

Weight loss wonder drugs are weighing heavily on this stock.

Read more »

a doctor in a white coat makes a heart shape with his hands and holds it over his chest where his heart is placed.
Healthcare Shares

Why is the Telix share price jumping 15% to a record high?

This healthcare stock is scaling new heights on Thursday. But why?

Read more »

Stressed thoughtful old female general practitioner doctor physician looking in distance, considering difficult medical problem solution or illness treatment, working on computer in clinic office.
Healthcare Shares

How much do you need to invest in CSL shares for $8,000 in annual dividends?

CSL's dividends are exponentially more valuable for long-term investors.

Read more »

smiling health care workers in a medical setting
Healthcare Shares

'Critical unmet need': Why everyone is talking about this ASX 200 healthcare stock

This healthcare stock has been given a boost from the US FDA today.

Read more »

Senior woman with caregiver in the garden
Healthcare Shares

Why this ASX 200 stock is a retiree's dream

I think this is a very healthy and resilient stock.

Read more »

A doctor appears shocked as he looks through binoculars on a blue background.
Healthcare Shares

3 ASX 200 healthcare stocks that could deliver big returns for investors

Analysts see a lot of value in these stocks at current levels.

Read more »

A team of people giving the thumbs up sign representing APA and Wesfarmers doing a deal to study green hydrogen transport using an APA gas pipeline
Healthcare Shares

Why are so many top fundies overweight on CSL shares?

This is a healthy opportunity, according to a number of fund managers.

Read more »