Allergan (NYSE:AGN), a pharmaceutical company best known for developing Botox, increased the Fund’s return by 61 basis points, as the stock jumped 13.8% from $210.01 to $238.92. The shares rose after the company reported better-than-expected earnings and provided an optimistic outlook for 2017. Allergan’s strong cash-pay businesses and recently launched products—such as Vraylar, a drug used to treat schizophrenia—continue to drive growth. During the quarter, Allergan extended its dominance in the aesthetics market by acquiring Zeltiq for $2.5 billion. Zeltiq’s CoolSculpting system is the #1 non-invasive fat reduction procedure in the U.S.
Jerome Dodson (Trades, Portfolio)'s first quarter 2017 Parnassus Funds commentary.
