GSK Adds Around $5B in a Month: Here's How to Play the Stock

Core Insights - GSK stock has increased by 6.4% over the past month, adding nearly $5 billion to its market value, driven by strong performance in the Specialty Medicines unit and a positive long-term outlook despite challenges in the Vaccines unit and economic pressures [1][9]. Group 1: Specialty Medicines Performance - The Specialty Medicines unit is experiencing significant sales growth, with a 16% increase in the first half of 2025, attributed to successful launches in Oncology and long-acting HIV medicines [3][9]. - Key products driving growth include Nucala, Dovato, Cabenuva, Apretude, Jemperli, and Ojjaara, with expectations for low teens percentage growth in sales for this segment in 2025 [4][9]. - Specialty Medicines currently account for approximately 40% of GSK's sales and are projected to exceed 50% of total revenues by 2031 [4]. Group 2: Promising Pipeline and R&D - GSK is increasing its R&D investment in long-acting and specialty medicines across various therapeutic areas, including Respiratory, Immunology & Inflammation, Oncology, and HIV [5]. - Recent approvals include the pentavalent MenABCWY meningococcal vaccine and Blujepa/gepotidacin for uncomplicated urinary tract infections, with additional regulatory applications under review [6][7]. - GSK plans to launch five new products/line extensions in 2025, including Blenrep and depemokimab, which are already approved in the U.S. [7]. Group 3: Vaccine Sales Challenges - Vaccine sales in the U.S. are declining, particularly for the shingles vaccine Shingrix and the RSV vaccine Arexvy, with total vaccine sales down 11% at CER in the first half of 2025 [8][11]. - Revised recommendations for RSV vaccinations have negatively impacted sales of Arexvy, particularly among adults aged 60-74 [10][11]. - GSK anticipates a low single-digit percentage decrease in vaccine sales for 2025, reflecting broader challenges in this segment [11]. Group 4: Stock Performance and Valuation - GSK stock has outperformed the industry and the S&P 500, rising 21.2% year-to-date compared to a 1.4% increase for the industry [12]. - The stock is trading at a forward price/earnings ratio of 8.58, significantly lower than the industry average of 14.78, indicating attractive valuation [14]. - Analysts have raised the earnings consensus estimate for 2025 from $4.34 to $4.37 per share, reflecting optimism around profit growth [18]. Group 5: Future Growth Expectations - GSK expects over 7% sales growth and more than 11% core operating profit growth on a CAGR basis from 2022 to 2026, driven by the Specialty Medicines segment [21]. - The growth in Specialty Medicines is expected to offset the slowdown in the Vaccines unit, with General Medicines also contributing to overall sales growth [21].