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Zoetis Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 raised, 9 lowered, 2 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue flat, down 1% organic: Revenue was $2.5 billion, flat on a reported basis and down 1% on an organic operational basis, against $2.474 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted diluted EPS of $1.87: Adjusted net income was $781 million, or $1.87 per diluted share, down 1% reported and down 2% on an organic operational basis. Source
  • International revenue up 6% organic: International revenue was $1.2 billion, up 8% reported and 6% organic operational, led by parasiticides, Lenivia and diagnostics. Source
  • Companion animal sales fell 5%: Companion animal revenue was $1,708 million, down 5% reported and 6% organic operational, against $1,790 million a year earlier. Source
  • Clinic visits and price sensitivity cut demand: Management cited lower clinic visits and pet owner price sensitivity as reducing demand across parts of the portfolio, along with heightened competition in key categories. Source
  • Adjusted EPS guidance cut to $6.15 to $6.25: Adjusted diluted EPS guidance is now $6.15 to $6.25, against $6.85 to $7.00 previously, reflecting the lower adjusted net income range. Source

“Second quarter results reflected a more pressured Companion Animal market, as lower clinic visits and pet owner price sensitivity reduced demand across parts of our portfolio and heightened competition in key categories,”

Kristin Peck, Chief Executive Officer at Zoetis

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue SourceFull year 2026$9.120 billion to $9.320 billionLowered from $9.680 billion to $9.960 billion
Organic operational revenue growth SourceFull year 2026(3)% to (1)%Lowered from 2% to 5%
Reported net income SourceFull year 2026$2.330 billion to $2.380 billionLowered from $2.680 billion to $2.760 billion
Adjusted net income SourceFull year 2026$2.570 billion to $2.620 billionLowered from $2.870 billion to $2.950 billion
Adjusted net income organic operational growth SourceFull year 2026(9)% to (5)%Lowered from 2% to 6%
Reported diluted EPS SourceFull year 2026$5.55 to $5.65Lowered from $6.35 to $6.50
Adjusted diluted EPS SourceFull year 2026$6.15 to $6.25Lowered from $6.85 to $7.00
Adjusted cost of sales as a percentage of revenue SourceFull year 2026Approximately 29.0%Raised from Approximately 28.5%
Adjusted SG&A expenses SourceFull year 2026$2,330 to $2,380 (millions)Lowered from $2,350 to $2,400 (millions)
Adjusted R&D expenses SourceFull year 2026$720 to $730 (millions)Lowered from $735 to $745 (millions)
Adjusted interest expense and other (income)/deductions-net SourceFull year 2026Approximately $215 (millions)Kept
Effective tax rate on adjusted income SourceFull year 2026Approximately 20.5%Kept
Certain significant items and acquisition and divestiture-related costs SourceFull year 2026Approximately $150 (millions)Raised from Approximately $100 (millions)

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Full-year revenue, organic growth, adjusted net income and EPS guidance lowered in the second-quarter release. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Adjusted diluted EPS guidance lowered to $6.15 to $6.25 from $6.85 to $7.00. Source
  • Guidance raised: Expected certain significant items and acquisition-related costs raised to about $150 million from about $100 million. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Adjusted SG&A expense guidance lowered to $2,330 to $2,380 million. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Adjusted R&D expense guidance lowered to $720 to $730 million. Source
  • New: Zoetis completed the acquisition of VitalRADS, a veterinary teleradiology platform, in July. Source
  • New: Lenivia and Portela launched in Canada and the EU and were approved in Great Britain. Source
  • New: Dectomax-CA1 received FDA conditional approval for New World screwworm myiasis prevention and treatment in beef cattle. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue flat, down 1% organic: Revenue was $2.5 billion, flat on a reported basis and down 1% on an organic operational basis, against $2.474 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted diluted EPS of $1.87: Adjusted net income was $781 million, or $1.87 per diluted share, down 1% reported and down 2% on an organic operational basis. Source
  • Reported net income down 5%: Reported net income was $691 million, or $1.65 per diluted share; net income fell 5% while diluted EPS rose 1%. Source
  • Adjustments of $90 million excluded: Adjusted results exclude the net impact of $90 million for purchase accounting, acquisition and divestiture-related costs and certain significant items. Source

Segments and regions

  • U.S. revenue fell 7%: U.S. segment revenue was $1.3 billion, down 7% on both reported and organic operational bases compared with the second quarter of 2025. Source
  • International revenue up 6% organic: International revenue was $1.2 billion, up 8% reported and 6% organic operational, led by parasiticides, Lenivia and diagnostics. Source
  • Emerging markets grew 21%: Other emerging markets revenue was $269 million against $223 million, up 21% reported and 21% on an organic operational basis. Source

“We are adapting our commercial strategy to the marketplace in front of us, deploying targeted investments, accelerating innovation, and pursuing business development to strengthen our position in areas aligned with the future of animal health.”

Kristin Peck, Chief Executive Officer at Zoetis

Products and species

  • Companion animal sales fell 5%: Companion animal revenue was $1,708 million, down 5% reported and 6% organic operational, against $1,790 million a year earlier. Source
  • U.S. companion animal sales down 11%: Companion animal product sales in the U.S. decreased 11%, which management attributed to continued softer end-market demand. Source
  • Livestock sales rose 12%: Livestock revenue was $731 million, up 12% reported and 11% organic operational; cattle sales rose on producer economics and supply timing. Source
  • Poultry vaccine sales rose on outbreaks: Poultry performance benefited from increased vaccine sales tied to disease outbreak activity, according to the release. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • U.S. gross margin fell: U.S. gross profit fell 8% to $1,052 million and gross margin was 83.1%, against 84.7% a year earlier. Source
  • International gross margin rose: International gross profit rose 9% to $833 million, and gross margin was 71.0%, against 70.4% a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted R&D rose 5%: Adjusted R&D expenses were $173 million, up 5% reported and 4% organic operational, against $165 million in the second quarter of 2025. Source
  • Restructuring tied to cost program: Restructuring and acquisition-related charges rose to $77 million from $30 million, primarily employee termination costs under a cost and productivity program. Source
  • ERP transformation costs continue: Business process transformation costs were $6 million in the quarter against $11 million a year earlier, covering a new ERP system and digital tools. Source

“remain confident in the long-term fundamentals of animal health and in Zoetis' ability to compete, lead, and create shareholder value.”

Kristin Peck, Chief Executive Officer at Zoetis

Demand and competition

  • Clinic visits and price sensitivity cut demand: Management cited lower clinic visits and pet owner price sensitivity as reducing demand across parts of the portfolio, along with heightened competition in key categories. Source
  • Dermatology and Simparica Trio under pressure: The key dermatology franchise and Simparica Trio faced persistent price sensitivity and heightened competitive pressure in the U.S. Source
  • Generics hit Cerenia and Convenia: Generic competition on the Cerenia and Convenia brands contributed to the U.S. decline, alongside lower sales of Librela. Source
  • International dermatology sales lower: Gains in International were partly offset by lower sales of key dermatology products and challenging conditions across the broader portfolio. Source

Pipeline and approvals

  • Lenivia and Portela launched: Long-acting osteoarthritis pain antibodies for dogs and cats launched in Canada and the EU and were approved in Great Britain, with Lenivia also approved in Switzerland. Source
  • EU authorization for Poulvac Procerta: The company received EU marketing authorization for Poulvac Procerta HVT-ND in July, for protection against Newcastle and Marek's disease in poultry. Source
  • Screwworm approval for beef cattle: Dectomax-CA1 received FDA conditional approval for New World screwworm in beef cattle; Dectomax received emergency use authorization for several other species. Source
  • Vanguard crLyme label expanded: A U.S. label update for Vanguard crLyme covers effectiveness against subclinical arthritis caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. Source
  • More than 12 potential blockbusters: Management said the pipeline includes more than 12 potential blockbusters over the coming years, with candidates in kidney disease, oncology, cardiology, anxiety and obesity. Source

Diagnostics and deals

  • VitalRADS teleradiology acquisition completed: The company completed the VitalRADS acquisition in July, extending diagnostics beyond in-vitro testing into veterinary imaging interpretation. Source
  • Vetscan Opticell hematology expanded: The Vetscan Opticell point-of-care hematology analyzer now offers cellular hemoglobin mean, previously available only in reference laboratories. Source
  • Neogen genomics deal due H2 2026: The previously announced Neogen animal genomics acquisition is expected to complete in the second half of 2026, according to the first-quarter release.

Guidance and share count

  • Adjusted EPS guidance cut to $6.15 to $6.25: Adjusted diluted EPS guidance is now $6.15 to $6.25, against $6.85 to $7.00 previously, reflecting the lower adjusted net income range. Source
  • Significant-item costs guided higher: Expected certain significant items and acquisition-related costs rose to about $150 million from about $100 million. Source
  • SG&A and R&D ranges reduced: Adjusted SG&A guidance is $2,330 to $2,380 million and adjusted R&D guidance is $720 to $730 million, both lower than prior ranges. Source
  • Weighted diluted shares fell: Weighted-average diluted shares were 417.7 million in the quarter against 445.5 million a year earlier. Source

Coming up, as management said on 6 August 2026

  • Neogen genomics deal expected to close: Management expects to complete the Neogen animal genomics acquisition in the second half of 2026.
  • Blockbuster candidates over coming years: Management referred to more than 12 potential blockbusters expected over the coming years as the pipeline advances. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Companion Animal revenue Source$1,708 million, down 5% reported
Livestock revenue Source$731 million, up 12% reported
Adjusted R&D expenses Source$173 million, up 5% reported
FDA approval, New World screwworm SourceDectomax-CA1 conditional approval for beef cattle
EU authorization, poultry vaccine SourcePoulvac Procerta HVT-ND, July 2026
Product launch, OA pain antibody SourceLenivia and Portela launched in Canada and EU
Generic competition SourceCerenia and Convenia brands affected

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Lower clinic visits and pet owner price sensitivity reduced demand in parts of the portfolio, management said. Source
  • Demand: Dermatology and Simparica Trio faced persistent price sensitivity and heightened competitive pressure. Source
  • External: Generic competition on the Cerenia and Convenia brands contributed to the U.S. companion animal decline. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: The company said its initial Driven to Care aspirations, set in 2021, were completed. Source
  • Met: The Zoetis Foundation fulfilled its commitment to distribute $35 million in grants over 2021 to 2025. Source
  • On track: The company said it remains on track for a significant major-market approval every year for several years.
  • Ahead: The Convenia RTU approval in Canada was received ahead of internal estimates.

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.