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Merck tops third-quarter estimates as Keytruda, Gardasil outperform
Merck also raised its adjusted profit outlook as Keytruda QLEX brought in $830 million and Gardasil sales rose 14%, both above estimates.
On Thursday, Merck reported third-quarter revenue of $18.1 billion, topping the $17.3 billion estimate, and raised its full-year adjusted earnings forecast on strong Keytruda demand.
Growth was driven by Keytruda sales of $8.6 billion, beating analyst expectations, and Gardasil vaccine sales of about $2 billion, rebounding after prior inventory challenges and weak China demand.
Keytruda Qlex, the newer injectable form, generated $830 million in sales, while Winrevair surged 94% to $694 million, allowing Merck to post adjusted earnings of $2.49 per share, beating Wall Street's $2.08 expectation.
Merck narrowed its 2026 revenue guidance to between $66.8 billion and $67.3 billion, incorporating a one-time $400 million charge from a licensing agreement with Chinese cancer drugmaker SciBrunch.
To offset anticipated generic competition for Keytruda after patents expire in 2028, Merck continues pursuing strategic acquisitions while positioning Keytruda Qlex as a cornerstone of long-term growth.
The pharmaceutical company Merck, known as MSD in Brazil, released this Thursday (29) profit above expected for the third quarter, driven by strong demand for its highly successful cancer drug, Keytruda, and for its HPV vaccine, Gardasil. The American pharmaceutical company registered revenue of US$ 18.1 billion in the third quarter, exceeding the average estimate of US$ 17.3 billion of analysts, according to LSEG data. The adjusted profit was U…