Novo Nordisk Stock Climbs On Higher Q1 Results; Cuts FY25 Outlook

(RTTNews) - Shares of Novo Nordisk A/S were gaining around 6 percent in Denmark as well as around 7 percent in the pre-market activity on the NYSE, after the Danish drug major reported Wednesday higher profit and sales in its first quarter, mainly reflecting improved results of its blockbuster weight loss drug Wegovy. Meanwhile, the company trimmed fiscal 2025 outlook for sales and operating profit growth amid increasing competition.

According to the firm, the outlook revision reflects the lower-than-planned penetration of branded GLP-1 treatments in the US, impacted by compounded GLP-1s. Novo Nordisk said it is focused on preventing unlawful compounding and further expanding access in the US.

Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, CEO of Novo Nordisk, said, "In the first quarter of 2025, we delivered 18 percent sales growth and continued to expand the reach of our innovative GLP-1 treatments. However, we have reduced our full-year outlook due to lower than-planned branded GLP-1 penetration, which is impacted by the rapid expansion of compounding in the US. We are actively focused on preventing unlawful and unsafe compounding and on efforts to expand patient access to our GLP-1 treatments."

For 2025, the company now projects sales growth to be 13 percent to 21 percent and operating profit growth of 16 percent to 24 percent, both at constant exchange rates. The company previously expected sales growth of 16 percent to 24 percent with operating profit growth of 19 percent to 27 percent at CER.

On a reported basis, sales and operating profit growth is now expected to be 3 and 5 percentage points lower than at CER, respectively, against the previous outlook of 3 and 5 percentage points higher than at CER.

In its first quarter, Novo Nordisk's net profit grew 14 percent to 29.034 billion danish kroner from 25.407 billion kroner last year.

Earnings per share were 6.53 kroner, up 15 percent from 5.68 kroner a year ago.

Operating profit increased 22 percent from the prior year to 38.8 billion kroner.

The company's sales for the period rose 19.5 percent to 78.087 billion kroner from 65.349 billion kroner last year. Sales grew 18 percent at constant exchange rates.

Sales in US Operations increased 20 percent on a reported basis and 17 percent at CER. Sales in International Operations climbed 18 percent on a reported basis and 19 percent at CER.

Sales within Diabetes and Obesity care grew 21 percent year-over-year to 73.5 billion kroner, mainly driven by Obesity care growth of 67 percent and GLP-1 diabetes sales growth of 13 percent.

Sales of Obesity care products, Wegovy and Saxenda, increased 67 percent to 18.42 billion kroner.

Rare disease sales increased 5 percent.

In Copenhagen, Novo Nordisk shares were trading at 467.85 kroner, up 6 percent.

In pre-market activity on the NYSE, the shares were gaining around 7.3 percent to trade at $71.12.

For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com.