What risks could impact PFE's Q1 2025 earnings?
3/28/2025 01:40pm
**Pfizer's Q1 2025 Earnings are Likely to be Impacted by Several Key Factors**:
1. **Decline in COVID-19 Related Sales**:
- The anticipated wave of COVID-19 cases that was expected to drive sales of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines and antivirals has not materialized, leading to a decline in sales volumes from these blockbuster drugs.
- The company anticipates that its COVID products will account for 13% of its revenue in 2025, down from 16% in 2024.
2. **Challenges from Competitive Pressure and Price Decreases**:
- Global demand trends for certain drugs, such as Prevnar, Xeljanz, and Ibrance, are experiencing competitive pressure and price decreases in some international markets, which could affect sales growth.
3. **Impact of Activist Pressure and Strategic Decisions**:
- The involvement of activist investor Starboard Value, who has criticized Pfizer’s strategic decisions and is pushing for a shakeup, could lead to additional pressures and potential disruptions.
4. **Earnings Projection Revisions**:
- Earnings estimates for Q1 2025 are expected to show a year-over-year decline, with projected EPS of $0.67, reflecting an 18.3% decrease.
- The consensus earnings estimate for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of -4.5%, which could indicate broader challenges in projecting profitability.
In summary, Pfizer's Q1 2025 earnings are likely to be influenced by the decline in COVID-19 related sales, competitive pressures, activist influence, and earnings projection revisions. These factors combined present a complex landscape for the company's near-term financial performance.