New York, Jan 16, 2026, 19:36 ET — After-hours
- Thermo Fisher (TMO) closed Friday roughly 1% lower at $618.72, with after-hours trading showing minimal movement
- A North Carolina workforce report included a WARN notice for an Asheville site closure, impacting 421 workers
- Upcoming catalyst: Jan. 29 earnings and the 2026 forecast
Thermo Fisher Scientific shares dipped 0.9% to close at $618.72 on Friday, then stayed close to that price in after-hours trading. During the day, the stock fluctuated between $618.20 and $629.50. Trading volume hit roughly 2.9 million shares, matching its typical daily activity.
The pullback arrives as investors await Thermo Fisher’s Q4 and full-year 2025 results, set for Jan. 29. The company is expected to reveal how demand is shaping up across its life-sciences tools and contract services segments. The earnings release will hit before the U.S. market opens, followed by a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET. (Thermo Fisher Scientific Investors)
Thermo Fisher continues to link its growth prospects to lab automation and AI, a hot topic in healthcare investing this month. On Jan. 12, the company announced a strategic partnership with NVIDIA. Gianluca Pettiti, Thermo Fisher’s executive vice president, said, “Artificial intelligence coupled with laboratory automation will transform how scientific work is performed.” NVIDIA’s healthcare VP Kimberly Powell added, “We are entering the era of ‘lab-in-the-loop’ science.” (Thermo Fisher Scientific Investors)
On Friday, the stock showed mixed signals amid a flat broader market and healthcare sector. The S&P 500 dipped 0.06%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 0.17%. Meanwhile, life-sciences tools rival Agilent Technologies lost 3.6%, and Danaher dropped 1.6%. (MarketWatch)
In a separate note, a North Carolina Department of Commerce workforce report dated Jan. 16 revealed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice for a “closure” at Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Asheville site on Aiken Road. The move impacts 421 employees. WARN notices are filed by employers to alert officials and workers in advance of significant layoffs or plant shutdowns. (NC Commerce)
A Zacks research summary released late Friday highlighted Thermo Fisher’s strong share performance over the past year. It noted the company is integrating OpenAI capabilities into its products and services and has expanded its portfolio through acquisitions, including Solventum’s purification and filtration business. The report also pointed to a “highly leveraged” balance sheet, challenges from policy changes affecting academic and government clients, and currency headwinds. (Nasdaq)
Traders are focused on whether Thermo Fisher can deliver more consistent order momentum and a clearer 2026 outlook compared to rivals, particularly in biopharma tools and pharma services. The key metric will be “organic” growth — figures excluding currency effects and acquisitions — since it offers the clearest signal of true demand.
The setup doesn’t leave much wiggle room. If management voices caution on academic and government spending or signals ongoing currency headwinds, the stock could pull back sharply. Investors will also watch closely for any updates on costs or timing related to manufacturing shifts and site cuts.
Don’t forget the calendar: U.S. markets shut Monday, Jan. 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. That means Tuesday is the next trading day. (New York Stock Exchange)
TMO’s next major event is set for Jan. 29, when it releases earnings. Investors will be digging into 2026 demand forecasts, margin outlooks, and the pace at which its newer AI-powered lab projects begin generating revenue.
