greeksoup/ stock research

Merck & Co., Inc.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 3 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 8 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Fourth-quarter sales rose 5%: Fourth-quarter sales were $16.4 billion, up 5% (4% excluding foreign exchange). Pharmaceutical sales rose 6%; Animal Health sales rose 8%. Source
  • Full-year GAAP EPS rose to $7.28: Full-year GAAP diluted EPS was $7.28, up from $6.74; non-GAAP EPS was $8.98, up from $7.65. Each year-end GAAP and non-GAAP figure includes business development charges. Source
  • Fourth-quarter GAAP EPS fell on restructuring: Fourth-quarter GAAP EPS was $1.19 against $1.48, reflecting higher restructuring costs and intangible amortization, partly offset by lower business development charges. Source
  • KEYTRUDA franchise reached $31.7 billion: KEYTRUDA and KEYTRUDA QLEX sales were $31.7 billion for 2025, up 7%. Fourth-quarter sales were $8.4 billion, up 7%, driven by earlier-stage indications. Source
  • WINREVAIR sales rose on U.S. uptake: WINREVAIR sales were $1.4 billion for 2025 and $467 million in the fourth quarter, up from $360 million in the third quarter. Lower U.S. net pricing partly offset growth. Source
  • Non-GAAP gross margin rose to 81.5%: Non-GAAP gross margin was 81.5% for 2025, up from 80.8%, while fourth-quarter non-GAAP gross margin was 79.7% against 80.8%. Source
  • Bladder cancer approval with Padcev: FDA approved KEYTRUDA and KEYTRUDA QLEX with Padcev for cisplatin-ineligible muscle-invasive bladder cancer, a first for PD-1 plus ADC regimens in this group. Source
  • Enlicitide lowered LDL cholesterol: Enlicitide decanoate, an investigational oral PCSK9 inhibitor, significantly reduced LDL-C in Phase 3 CORALreef Lipids and HeFH trials, with safety comparable to placebo. Source
  • Voluntary pricing agreement with U.S. government: The voluntary agreement covers all four components of the President's July letter and includes a direct-to-patient program at affordable prices for eligible patients. Source
  • 18 Phase 3 trials read out positively: In 2025, 18 Phase 3 trials produced positive late-stage results, 21 new Phase 3 studies began enrolling, and about 80 Phase 3 studies are underway. Source
  • EU approves subcutaneous KEYTRUDA: The European Commission approved the subcutaneous route and new formulation of KEYTRUDA across all adult indications in Europe. Source

“In 2025, we continued to advance leading-edge science to deliver transformative medicines and vaccines that are improving health outcomes for patients around the world,”

Robert M. Davis, chairman and chief executive officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Sales SourceFull year 2026$65.5 billion to $67.0 billionNew
Non-GAAP gross margin SourceFull year 2026Approximately 82%New
Non-GAAP operating expenses SourceFull year 2026$35.9 billion to $36.9 billionNew
Non-GAAP other (income) expense, net SourceFull year 2026Approximately $1.3 billion expenseNew
Non-GAAP effective tax rate SourceFull year 202623.5% to 24.5%New
Non-GAAP EPS SourceFull year 2026$5.00 to $5.15New
Share count (assuming dilution) SourceFull year 2026Approximately 2.48 billionNew
Cidara one-time charge SourceFull year 2026Approximately $9.0 billion, or approximately $3.65 per share, plus approximately $0.30 per share of related costsNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New: Cidara Therapeutics acquisition completed in 2026 for about $9.2 billion. Source
  • New: Voluntary agreement reached with the U.S. government on medicine costs. Source
  • New: Agreement with Falk for sole global rights to MK-8690. Source
  • New: Blackstone Life Sciences financing agreement to partially fund sac-TMT development in 2026. Source
  • New: Priority review vouchers received for enlicitide decanoate and sac-TMT. Source

Fourth-quarter and full-year results

  • Fourth-quarter sales rose 5%: Fourth-quarter sales were $16.4 billion, up 5% (4% excluding foreign exchange). Pharmaceutical sales rose 6%; Animal Health sales rose 8%. Source
  • Full-year sales rose 1%: Full-year sales were $65.0 billion, up 1% (2% excluding foreign exchange). Pharmaceutical sales were $58.1 billion, up 1% both nominally and excluding foreign exchange. Source
  • Full-year GAAP EPS rose to $7.28: Full-year GAAP diluted EPS was $7.28, up from $6.74; non-GAAP EPS was $8.98, up from $7.65. Each year-end GAAP and non-GAAP figure includes business development charges. Source
  • Lower deal charges aided full-year EPS: Management attributed the full-year GAAP EPS increase mainly to lower business development transaction charges and operational strength, partly offset by higher restructuring costs and amortization. Source
  • Fourth-quarter GAAP EPS fell on restructuring: Fourth-quarter GAAP EPS was $1.19 against $1.48, reflecting higher restructuring costs and intangible amortization, partly offset by lower business development charges. Source

Products and franchises

  • KEYTRUDA franchise reached $31.7 billion: KEYTRUDA and KEYTRUDA QLEX sales were $31.7 billion for 2025, up 7%. Fourth-quarter sales were $8.4 billion, up 7%, driven by earlier-stage indications. Source
  • KEYTRUDA growth lower than in Q3: Fourth-quarter KEYTRUDA growth was 7%, against 10% in the third quarter, which had benefited from timing of U.S. wholesaler purchases. Source
  • GARDASIL sales fell 39% for year: GARDASIL/GARDASIL 9 sales were $5.2 billion for 2025, down 39%. Fourth-quarter sales fell 34% on lower demand in China and lower sales in Japan. Source
  • WINREVAIR sales rose on U.S. uptake: WINREVAIR sales were $1.4 billion for 2025 and $467 million in the fourth quarter, up from $360 million in the third quarter. Lower U.S. net pricing partly offset growth. Source
  • CAPVAXIVE sales grew with U.S. uptake: CAPVAXIVE sales were $759 million for 2025, against $97 million in 2024. Fourth-quarter sales were $279 million. Source
  • Januvia growth from U.S. pricing: JANUVIA/JANUMET sales grew on higher U.S. net pricing, while international demand declined. LAGEVRIO sales fell 61% for the year. Source

“The transformation of our portfolio, bolstered by the acquisitions of Verona Pharma and Cidara Therapeutics, is well underway, and momentum is building as we continue to execute on our strategy.”

Robert M. Davis, chairman and chief executive officer

Segments and regions

  • Animal Health sales rose 8%: Animal Health sales were $6.4 billion for 2025, up 8% (9% excluding foreign exchange), with Livestock up 13% and Companion Animal up 2%. Source
  • Companion Animal affected by fewer vet visits: Fourth-quarter Companion Animal sales rose 2% to $518 million. BRAVECTO line sales were $222 million, up 6%. Source
  • Virology decline offset pharmaceutical growth: Full-year Pharmaceutical sales were $58.1 billion, up 1%. Lower virology sales, largely LAGEVRIO, offset part of the growth. Source
  • Vaccine sales lower in fourth quarter: Fourth-quarter total vaccines sales were $2,364 million, against $2,693 million in the prior-year quarter. Source

Costs, gross margin and pricing

  • Non-GAAP gross margin rose to 81.5%: Non-GAAP gross margin was 81.5% for 2025, up from 80.8%, while fourth-quarter non-GAAP gross margin was 79.7% against 80.8%. Source
  • GAAP gross margin fell on restructuring: GAAP gross margin was 66.2% in the fourth quarter, against 75.5%, mainly from accelerated depreciation at two manufacturing sites under the 2025 restructuring program. Source
  • Non-GAAP R&D fell 13%: Non-GAAP R&D was $15.6 billion for 2025, down 13%, on lower business development charges, partly offset by higher clinical development costs. Source
  • SG&A flat with lower promotion: Non-GAAP SG&A was $10.6 billion for 2025, flat, as lower promotional costs were offset by higher administrative costs. Source
  • Other expense rose on interest and FX: Non-GAAP other expense was $460 million for 2025, up on higher net interest and foreign exchange losses. The 2024 comparison included $170 million of Daiichi Sankyo income. Source

Pipeline and regulatory milestones

  • Bladder cancer approval with Padcev: FDA approved KEYTRUDA and KEYTRUDA QLEX with Padcev for cisplatin-ineligible muscle-invasive bladder cancer, a first for PD-1 plus ADC regimens in this group. Source
  • Positive Phase 3 bladder results: Phase 3 KEYNOTE-B15 in cisplatin-eligible bladder cancer showed KEYTRUDA plus Padcev improved event-free survival, overall survival and pathologic complete response rates. Source
  • Enlicitide lowered LDL cholesterol: Enlicitide decanoate, an investigational oral PCSK9 inhibitor, significantly reduced LDL-C in Phase 3 CORALreef Lipids and HeFH trials, with safety comparable to placebo. Source
  • WINREVAIR CADENCE study met endpoint: The Phase 2 CADENCE study of WINREVAIR in combined post- and precapillary pulmonary hypertension due to HFpEF met its primary endpoint. Source
  • Positive HIV regimen topline results: Phase 3 topline results were positive for the investigational once-daily oral doravirine/islatravir regimen in treatment-naive adults with HIV-1. Source

Business development and portfolio

  • Verona Pharma added OHTUVAYRE sales: OHTUVAYRE sales of $178 million in the fourth quarter follow the Verona Pharma acquisition, which closed on Oct. 7, 2025. Source
  • MK-1406 now in Phase 3: MK-1406, formerly CD388, a long-acting influenza prevention antiviral added with Cidara, is being evaluated in the Phase 3 ANCHOR study. Source
  • 2025 pipeline additions through deals: Pipeline was augmented in 2025 through the Verona Pharma and Cidara acquisitions and a license agreement with Hengrui Pharma. Source

U.S. government agreement and manufacturing

  • Voluntary pricing agreement with U.S. government: The voluntary agreement covers all four components of the President's July letter and includes a direct-to-patient program at affordable prices for eligible patients. Source
  • Section 232 tariffs delayed three years: An understanding with the U.S. Department of Commerce delays Section 232 tariffs for three years, enabling U.S. manufacturing investment. Source
  • Elkton manufacturing center groundbreaking: The third-quarter release reported groundbreaking on a $3 billion Center of Excellence in Elkton, Virginia, creating more than 500 full-time jobs.

Phase 3 program and approvals

  • 18 Phase 3 trials read out positively: In 2025, 18 Phase 3 trials produced positive late-stage results, 21 new Phase 3 studies began enrolling, and about 80 Phase 3 studies are underway. Source
  • KEYTRUDA QLEX covers solid tumors: The third-quarter release reported FDA approval of KEYTRUDA QLEX for subcutaneous use across all solid tumor indications of KEYTRUDA.
  • EU approves subcutaneous KEYTRUDA: The European Commission approved the subcutaneous route and new formulation of KEYTRUDA across all adult indications in Europe. Source

Coming up, as management said on 3 February 2026

  • WINREVAIR label decision date: FDA accepted a WINREVAIR sBLA based on the Phase 3 HYPERION trial, with a PDUFA date of September 21, 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
KEYTRUDA and KEYTRUDA QLEX sales, 2025 Source$31.7 billion, up 7%
Non-GAAP R&D expenses, 2025 Source$15.6 billion, down 13%
Generic competition, BRIDION SourceLower demand in several international markets
Phase 3 trials with positive late-stage results, 2025 Source18; about 80 Phase 3 studies underway

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: Other expense rose on higher net interest expense, foreign exchange losses and net losses on equity investments. Source
  • Demand: LAGEVRIO demand was lower in the Asia Pacific region, particularly Japan, and in the U.S. in the third quarter.
  • Regulatory: Pricing and access terms under the voluntary U.S. government agreement follow the President's July letter. Source
  • External: Bridion sales in several international markets are lower because of ongoing generic competition. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The company states it has committed more than $70 billion to U.S. capital and R&D spending. Source
  • Met: The third-quarter release planned AHA 2025 data; the fourth-quarter release reports that the data were presented. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.