Merck raises full-year guidance after higher first-quarter sales

13 articles · Updated · The Wall Street Journal · Apr 30

First-quarter revenue rose 5% to $16.29bn, beating FactSet expectations, as Keytruda sales increased 12%; adjusted loss was $1.28 a share versus forecasts for $1.47.
Merck now expects 2026 sales of $65.8bn to $67bn and adjusted earnings of $5.04 to $5.16 a share, slightly above its previous outlook.
The company posted a net loss of $4.24bn after a charge tied to its $9.2bn Cidara acquisition, part of efforts to diversify before Keytruda's main US patent expires in 2028.

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