Pfizer beats revenue estimates, raises profit outlook on cost cuts and smaller-than-feared drop in Covid drug sales

Pfizer on Wednesday reported first-quarter revenue that beat expectations and hiked its full-year profit outlook, benefitting from its broad cost-cutting program and strong sales of its non-Covid products.

The company now expects to book adjusted earnings of $2.15 to $2.35 per share for the fiscal year, up from its prior guidance of $2.05 to $2.25 per share.

Pfizer reiterated its previous revenue forecast of $58.5 billion and $61.5 billion, which it first outlined in mid-December. 

Here’s what Pfizer reported for the first quarter compared to what Wall Street was expecting, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG: 

• Earnings per share: 82 cents adjusted, it was not immediately clear if it is comparable to the 52 cents expected.
• Revenue: $14.88 billion vs. $14.01 billion expected.

After a rocky 2023, Wall Street appears to be skeptical about whether Pfizer can turn its business around just yet.

The stock fell roughly 40% in 2023 as demand for Covid treatment Paxlovid and its vaccine against the virus dried up, causing the company to dramatically slash its full-year revenue forecast and record multibillion-dollar charges related to inventory write-offs. Pfizer also disappointed the street with an underwhelming launch of a new RSV shot and a twice-daily weight loss pill that fell short in clinical trials.