Industry Overview - The first-quarter earnings season for the drug and biotech sector is underway, with major companies like Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Amgen, Biogen, and Regeneron set to announce results [1] - Johnson & Johnson and Merck have reported results, both exceeding first-quarter estimates for earnings and sales, while Sanofi had mixed results, beating earnings estimates but missing sales [1] Earnings Trends - As of April 23, 15% of companies in the Medical sector, representing 33.8% of the sector's market capitalization, reported quarterly earnings, with 77.8% surpassing estimates for both earnings and revenues [3] - Year-over-year earnings increased by 4.7%, and revenues rose by 9.4% [3] - Overall, first-quarter earnings for the Medical sector are expected to increase by 35%, while sales are projected to rise by 7.8% compared to the previous year [3] Company Performance Pfizer (PFE) - Pfizer has consistently exceeded earnings expectations in the last four quarters, with an average earnings surprise of 44.16% [5] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter sales and earnings is $13.88 billion and 64 cents per share, respectively [6] - Non-COVID operational revenues are driving growth, supported by products like Vyndaqel, Padcev, and Eliquis, despite a decline in sales of COVID products [7] Eli Lilly (LLY) - Eli Lilly has had mixed performance, exceeding earnings expectations in three of the last four quarters, with an average earnings surprise of 8.47% [8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for sales and earnings is $12.62 billion and $3.52 per share, respectively [8] - Growth is expected to be driven by demand for FDA-approved tirzepatide medicines, although sales of Mounjaro and Zepbound were below expectations [9][10] Amgen (AMGN) - Amgen has shown strong performance, beating earnings estimates in each of the last four quarters, with an average earnings surprise of 5.23% [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter sales and earnings is $7.96 billion and $4.15 per share, respectively [11] - Product sales are expected to be driven by strong volume growth, although prices may decline due to higher rebates [12] Biogen (BIIB) - Biogen has consistently beaten earnings estimates in the last four quarters, with an average earnings surprise of 11.80% [13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for sales and earnings is $2.23 billion and $3.52 per share, respectively [13] - Lower sales of multiple sclerosis drugs are likely to be offset by revenues from new drugs [14] Regeneron (REGN) - Regeneron has had mixed results, surpassing earnings expectations in three of the last four quarters, with an average earnings surprise of 3.23% [16] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter sales and earnings is $3.28 billion and $8.43 per share, respectively [17] - Sales of Eylea are expected to have declined due to competition, but sales of Eylea HD and Dupixent are likely to have surged [18][19]

Core Insights - The Medical sector's first-quarter 2025 earnings season is gaining momentum, with strong initial results from Johnson & Johnson, which exceeded earnings and sales estimates and raised its sales guidance for the year [1] - As of April 16, 3.3% of Medical sector companies reported earnings, with 100% surpassing earnings estimates and 50% exceeding revenue estimates, indicating a positive trend for the sector [1] - Overall, first-quarter earnings for the Medical sector are projected to increase by 34.7%, while sales are expected to rise by 7.5% compared to the previous year [1] Gilead Sciences - Gilead Sciences has a strong earnings track record, beating estimates in the last four quarters with an average surprise of 19.47% [3] - For Q1 2025, Gilead has an Earnings ESP of +3.07% and a Zacks Rank of 3, with consensus earnings estimated at $1.73 per share [5] - The company's revenue is expected to be supported by its HIV therapies, although it may face challenges due to the new Medicare Part D model affecting discounts [6][7] Bristol Myers - Bristol Myers has also shown a solid earnings performance, beating estimates in the last four quarters with an average surprise of 16.18% [8] - For the upcoming quarter, Bristol Myers has an Earnings ESP of -0.51% and a Zacks Rank of 3, with consensus earnings estimated at $1.54 per share [8] - Revenue is anticipated to be impacted by declining sales from legacy drugs, but this may be offset by growth in newer products [9] Merck - Merck has a favorable earnings history, beating estimates in the last four quarters with an average surprise of 4.68% [11] - For Q1 2025, Merck has an Earnings ESP of -2.04% and a Zacks Rank of 3, with consensus earnings estimated at $2.16 per share [11] - Revenue growth is expected to be driven by the strong performance of its cancer drug Keytruda, although international sales of the HPV vaccine Gardasil may be negatively affected [12] AbbVie - AbbVie has consistently beaten earnings estimates, with an average surprise of 2.37% over the last four quarters [13] - For the upcoming quarter, AbbVie has an Earnings ESP of -3.61% and a Zacks Rank of 3, with consensus earnings estimated at $2.47 per share [13] - The company's revenue is likely to be bolstered by strong sales of key drugs and contributions from newer products [14] Sanofi - Sanofi has a mixed earnings record, beating estimates in two of the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 5.14% [15] - For Q1 2025, Sanofi has an Earnings ESP of +1.62% and a Zacks Rank of 3, with consensus earnings estimated at 90 cents per share [15] - Revenue is expected to benefit from higher sales of Dupixent and new products, although lower flu vaccine sales and generic competition may pose challenges [16]