02/04/2026, 07:11Feb 4, 2026, 7:27 am
Novartis posted a profit of $17.4 billion in the 2025 fiscal year, the pharmaceutical company announced on Wednesday. This corresponds to an increase of 11 percent compared to the previous year.
Novartis headquarters in Basel.Image: KEYSTONE
In the final quarter of 2025, Novartis was almost standing still. This was due to the erosion of sales by imitators. Management gives a mixed outlook for the current 2026 financial year.
As Novartis announced on Wednesday, sales climbed to $13.3 billion in the fourth quarter. This is an increase of 1 percent compared to the same period last year. At constant exchange rates (cc), this resulted in a minus of 1 percent. This means that the pace of growth has slowed significantly compared to the previous quarter (+8%), after being in double digits in the first two quarters.
The Basel-based company recorded an increase of 2 percent in operating profit to 3.6 billion. The bottom line was a consolidated profit of 2.4 billion after 2.8 billion in the same period last year. The decline is primarily due to higher income taxes, the statement continues.
For analysts, however, the core operating profit adjusted for various influences is particularly important. At 4.9 billion, this increased by 1 percent and thus met the AWP consensus of 4.9 billion.
The Novartis Campus in Basel.Image: KEYSTONE
In the entire 2025 financial year, Novartis generated sales of 54.5 billion francs (+8%). At constant exchange rates, there was also an increase of 8 percent. This means that the company will achieve the net growth forecast by management in the high single-digit percentage range. The bottom line was an annual profit of 14 billion after almost 12 billion in the previous year.
Shareholders will receive a dividend increased to 3.70 from 3.50 francs.
In the current year, Novartis management is aiming for sales growth in the low single-digit percentage range at constant exchange rates. A decline in the low single-digit percentage range is expected for core operating profit. (awp/sda/awp)