Cancer and heart-disease treatments help cushion COVID product sales drop

  • Pfizer’s first-quarter results beat analyst expectations
  • Cancer and heart-disease drugs offset COVID-19 product sales drop
  • Net income of $3.115 billion, down from $5.543 billion in the previous year
  • Adjusted earnings per share of 82 cents, beating the consensus of 51 cents
  • Revenues totaled $14.879 billion, ahead of the consensus of $13.874 billion
  • Expected drop in COVID-19-related product sales drove the revenue decline
  • Pfizer looking for new growth in cancer treatments and advancing its pipeline
  • First U.S. regulatory approval for gene therapy Beqvez
  • Total first-quarter oncology revenues grew 18% from a year earlier
  • Sales of heart-disease drugs grew 66% amid strong demand

Pfizer reported first-quarter profit and sales that exceeded analyst expectations, driven by the success of cancer and heart-disease drugs. The company’s net income was $3.115 billion, down from $5.543 billion in the previous year, but adjusted earnings per share of 82 cents beat the consensus of 51 cents. Revenues totaled $14.879 billion, ahead of the consensus of $13.874 billion. The decline in revenue was due to a drop in COVID-19-related product sales. Pfizer is now focusing on new growth opportunities in cancer treatments and advancing its pipeline. The company recently received its first U.S. regulatory approval for a gene therapy and saw a significant increase in oncology revenues. Sales of heart-disease drugs also experienced strong demand. Pfizer reaffirmed its full-year sales guidance and increased its adjusted earnings per share outlook.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides a detailed and factual overview of Pfizer Inc.’s first-quarter financial performance, including net income, earnings per share, revenues, and sales figures for various drugs. It also mentions the company’s future outlook, regulatory approvals, and potential competition. The information is presented in a straightforward manner without sensationalism or bias.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides a detailed and relevant analysis of Pfizer Inc.’s first-quarter performance, including profit, sales, and future outlook. It includes information on various drugs, regulatory approvals, competition, and financial projections. The article stays on topic and supports its claims with data and examples. However, it lacks critical analysis, accountability of powerful people, or exploration of consequences. Overall, the article is informative but lacks depth in certain areas.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Pfizer Inc.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Rating Justification: The article pertains to financial topics as it discusses Pfizer’s first-quarter profit and sales, as well as its full-year earnings guidance. There is no mention of any extreme events.
Public Companies: Pfizer Inc. (PFE), Genmab (GMAB), Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK)
Key People: No key people mentioned in the article (N/A)


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