West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST) is included among the 14 Best Dividend Growth Stocks to Buy and Hold in 2026. KeyBanc Sees Injectable GLP-1s Driving Ongoing Demand for WST KeyBanc sees limited risk to oral weight loss drugs through 2030, even with the potential approval of an oral version of Wegovy. In a research note, the firm said oral GLP-1 adoption is likely to stay capped in both the near and longer term, despite new products entering the market. KeyBanc estimates the oral version of W ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is experiencing increased confidence in customer ordering patterns, indicating that previous stocking issues are largely behind them and expected to be fully resolved in the current quarter [20] - The drug delivery device business, which constitutes about 14% of total company revenue, was flat year-on-year but consistent sequentially from Q2 to Q3, with expectations for mid-single-digit growth [22][23] - The company anticipates a sequential step down in margins from Q3 to Q4 due to increased investments aimed at supporting growth into 2026 [70] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Proprietary operating unit represents 80% of the business, focusing on high-value component products, while contract manufacturing accounts for the remaining 20% [15] - The SmartDose product line is currently dilutive to company margins, but profitability has improved each quarter through operational enhancements [27] - The GLP-1s segment contributes 17% of revenues, with 8% from contract manufacturing and 9% from high-value components, showing strong growth aligned with the overall market [36] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is seeing a positive trend in the GLP-1 market, with expectations for continued growth in both injectables and oral products, projecting that 30% of the market will be oral by the end of the decade [41] - The NX1 initiative is expected to provide a 200 basis point growth tailwind in 2025, with ongoing projects indicating a strong pipeline [60] - The company has a high participation rate in biologics, estimated at 70%-75%, which is expected to benefit from increased access and lower costs associated with biosimilars [52][56] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on operational improvements and driving growth faster, with a commitment to enhancing analytical rigor in business planning [12][14] - Investments are being made in automation and capacity expansion to improve profitability and operational efficiency [30][87] - The company aims to maintain its market leadership in the injectable medicines area while exploring new growth opportunities in biologics and biosimilars [69] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expresses optimism about the momentum entering 2026, with expectations for continued growth in the high-value products business despite a slowdown in GLP-1 growth [74] - The company is actively seeking to fill gaps left by expiring contracts with higher-value programs to improve profitability [79] - Management emphasizes the importance of access and volume in driving business success, particularly in the context of the GLP-1 market [45] Other Important Information - The company is preparing for the launch of the Synchrony prefillable syringe in January, which is expected to create positive momentum for growth [70] - There is a focus on improving the economics of the contract manufacturing business, with ongoing discussions about new programs that align with higher value-added services [78] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the confidence level regarding customer ordering patterns? - Management indicates that confidence is increasing and that previous stocking issues are largely resolved, with expectations for full normalization in the current quarter [20] Question: How is the SmartDose product line performing? - SmartDose is currently dilutive to margins, but profitability has improved through operational enhancements, and an automated line is expected to come online in Q1 of next year [27][28] Question: What are the growth expectations for GLP-1s? - Management expects continued growth in the GLP-1 franchise, although at a slower rate than the current year, with both injectables and oral products contributing to overall growth [41][74] Question: How is the NX1 initiative impacting growth? - NX1 is projected to provide a significant growth tailwind, with a strong pipeline of ongoing projects and a sizable market opportunity in Europe [60][61] Question: What is the strategy for contract manufacturing? - The company is focusing on higher-value programs to improve profitability and is actively seeking new opportunities to fill gaps left by expiring contracts [79]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is experiencing increased confidence in customer ordering patterns, indicating that previous stocking issues are largely resolved and expected to be fully behind in the current quarter [12] - The company anticipates a sequential decline in margins from Q3 to Q4, attributed to increased investments for growth rather than cost-cutting measures [49][50] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The drug delivery device business, which constitutes about 14% of total company revenue, was flat year-on-year but showed consistent performance from Q2 to Q3 [14] - The SmartDose product line, which is part of the drug delivery segment, is currently dilutive to overall company margins, but profitability has improved each quarter due to operational enhancements [17][20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - GLP-1 products account for 17% of revenues in Q3, with 8% from contract manufacturing and 9% from high-value components [25] - The company expects continued growth in the GLP-1 franchise, although at a slower rate than the current year, with a projected market penetration increase for both injectables and oral products [26][28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on operational improvements and capital allocation to enhance profitability and shareholder returns, with a strong emphasis on analytical rigor in business planning [8][10] - There is a strategic shift towards high-value products, with ongoing investments in automation and capacity expansion to improve margins and operational efficiency [20][62] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expresses optimism about the growth potential in the injectable medicines market, highlighting the company's market leadership and the favorable industry tailwinds [4][5] - The company is preparing for the launch of the Synchrony prefillable syringe, which is expected to contribute positively to growth in 2026 [50][54] Other Important Information - The company is actively exploring opportunities in the biosimilars market, which is expected to grow as regulatory pathways become more favorable [40][41] - The NX1 initiative is projected to provide a significant growth tailwind, with an increase in regulatory scrutiny leading to broader adoption of value-added services [42][43] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the company's outlook for GLP-1 products? - The company expects GLP-1s to continue growing, but at a slower rate than the current year, with a significant market penetration opportunity remaining [26][28] Question: How is the company addressing margin pressures? - Management indicated that the sequential margin decline is due to strategic investments for growth, particularly in the launch of new products and automation initiatives [49][50] Question: What are the expectations for the drug handling segment? - The drug handling segment is expected to ramp up throughout the year, with ongoing projects that will enhance profitability and operational efficiency [60][61]