Pfizer Stock Slides Despite Q4 Earnings Beat and New Obesity Drug Data

Core Insights - Pfizer reported fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share of 66 cents, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 57 cents, with a year-over-year earnings increase of 5% [1] - Total revenues for the quarter were $17.6 billion, a decline of 1% year-over-year on a reported basis and 3% on an operational basis, primarily due to decreased revenues from COVID-19 products [2] Revenue Breakdown - International revenues decreased by 4% on an operational basis to $8.44 billion, while U.S. revenues fell by 1% to $9.1 billion [2] - The Primary Care segment saw a 13% operational decline in sales to $7.94 billion, while Specialty Care recorded a 6% increase to $4.77 billion, and Oncology sales rose by 8% to $4.44 billion [3] Product Performance - Eliquis sales in Primary Care rose by 8% to $2.02 billion, although alliance revenues fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.14 billion [4] - Global revenues from the Prevnar family increased by 8% to $1.71 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.65 billion [5] - Comirnaty sales were $2.27 billion, down 35% year-over-year, but still beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.0 billion [6] - Paxlovid revenues dropped by 70% year-over-year to $218 million, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $289 million [7] Full-Year Results - For the full year 2025, Pfizer's sales declined by 2% to $62.6 billion, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $61.94 billion [14] - Adjusted earnings for 2025 were $3.22 per share, a 4% increase year-over-year, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.13 [14] 2026 Guidance - Pfizer expects total revenues for 2026 to be between $59.5 billion and $62.5 billion, reflecting a decline from 2025 due to lower COVID product revenues and an impending patent cliff [16] - COVID sales are projected to be around $5 billion in 2026, down from approximately $6.7 billion in 2025 [17] - Adjusted earnings per share for 2026 are expected to be in the range of $2.80-$3.00, a decrease from 2025's EPS of $3.22 [17] Research and Development - Pfizer plans to initiate 20 pivotal studies in 2026, including 10 for ultra-long-acting obesity candidates from the Metsera acquisition [26] - Positive top-line data from a phase IIb study on PF-08653944 showed significant weight reduction, positioning Pfizer competitively against other weight loss therapies [20][21]