LONDON, Jan 29, 2026, 08:06 GMT — Regular session
- GSK shares edged up in early London trading after slipping on Wednesday
- Citi rolls out European pharma coverage, kicking off GSK with a Neutral rating
- Investors are eyeing the Feb. 4 results for updates on pipeline progress and any new guidance
GSK shares edged up 0.34% to 1,823.75 pence early Thursday in London, recovering a bit after a 2.42% drop on Wednesday. Still, the stock is down 0.38% year to date. 1
Timing matters. GSK is set to publish its fourth-quarter and full-year earnings next week. Investors will be focused on 2026 guidance plus updates on vaccines and HIV treatments—two key segments that could shape the company’s medium-term outlook. 2
Citi launched coverage this week on leading European pharma firms, kicking off with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) at Neutral and setting a 1,900p price target, analyst Graham Parry said. He highlighted improvements across GSK’s growth, margins, dividend policy, balance sheet, and pipeline. Yet Parry warned that upcoming key launches and late-stage trial data may not be enough to push the stock into a higher valuation. 3
Citi turned more upbeat on the sector, expecting growth to hold steady thanks to innovation and robust late-stage pipelines driving new product launches. “We see the sector continue to drive growth with new launches mostly able to offset loss of patent protection,” said Citi analysts led by Parry. 4
GSK updated its vaccine portfolio on Monday, revealing that its RSV vaccine Arexvy has gained European Commission approval for adults 18 and older. This expands the vaccine’s earlier approval, which targeted only older and high-risk groups. “This approval helps protect all adults aged 18 and older in Europe against RSV,” said Sanjay Gurunathan, GSK’s head of vaccines and infectious diseases R&D. 5
Pharma pressure points can seem technical but really come down to fundamentals. “Loss of exclusivity” happens when patents expire, opening the door for competitors to sell cheaper alternatives, usually hitting sales and margins hard. “EPS CAGR” refers to the average yearly growth in earnings per share over multiple years, according to analysts.
Early gains often evaporate fast, with next week’s earnings set to bring bigger risks. A cautious outlook, disappointing sales figures, or a minimal pipeline update might rattle the stock more than a broker’s report. Investors are zeroed in on whether upcoming launches will make up for revenue lost to expiring patents.
The market’s mood is shifting with each headline, trying to match up with recent figures. GSK’s stock has fluctuated as views change on how long vaccine growth can last and what earnings might look like once key products face new rivals.
GSK is set to report its fourth-quarter and full-year results on Feb. 4, also unveiling an updated outlook for 2026.
