London, February 5, 2026, 07:45 GMT — Premarket
- Shares of GSK jumped 6.9% Wednesday following the release of full-year results and an updated outlook for 2026
- Investors are grappling with slower growth forecasts, currency challenges, and the pace at which new products will cover patent expirations
- Attention shifts to Thursday’s open and early analyst commentary following the rally
GSK plc shares look to extend a strong bounce when London markets open Thursday, after closing Wednesday at 2,080 pence—a 6.9% gain—with intraday highs reaching 2,111 pence. In New York, GSK’s ADRs climbed to $57.23, up $3.89 in late trade. (Investing)
This jump is significant as it marks the first major test of Luke Miels’ leadership as CEO. Investors want to see whether GSK can sustain sales growth despite some older drugs approaching the “patent cliff,” where loss of patent protection opens the door for cheaper competitors to erode revenue.
The stock reached a 25-year peak on Wednesday following Miels’ announcement to boost sales growth and accelerate drug development, Reuters reported. Dan Coatsworth, AJ Bell’s head of markets, commented, “the numbers are solid enough even if earnings were a touch off expectations.” (Reuters)
GSK reported 2025 sales at £32.7 billion, marking a 7% rise at constant exchange rates—a method to filter out currency fluctuations and reveal true growth. The company projects 2026 revenue growth between 3% and 5%. It expects “core” operating profit and core earnings per share, which exclude certain one-off items, to climb 7% to 9%. GSK also raised its dividend outlook and highlighted progress in its pipeline. “2026 will be a key year of execution and operational delivery,” Miels said in the statement. (GSK)
Analysts jumped on the details quickly. Jefferies’ Michael Leuchten pointed to a “4Q Sales 2% beat, largely driven by better Specialty Sales and Vaccines,” noting the guidance “suggests potential for 2–3pp in consensus cuts” amid a tough foreign-exchange headwind. (Investing)
Tension lingers in the 2026 outlook. GSK projects Specialty Medicines to post low double-digit growth, but vaccines are forecasted to be flat or dip slightly. General Medicines is expected to remain stable or fall by a low single-digit margin, according to both company guidance and analyst interpretations.
Traders will also watch closely to see what “slower growth” actually entails. A sales range of 3% to 5% marks a slowdown from last year’s run, leaving minimal margin for missteps in product launches or unfavorable currency shifts.
This week’s pharma sector has been volatile, following Novo Nordisk’s warning of a challenging 2026 that hammered its stock. GSK bucked the trend, posting gains as investors viewed its forecast as more stable, though not exactly robust. (The Guardian)
That said, plenty can still go off track. If key pipeline results fall short or rivals gain ground faster in crowded markets, the execution premium investors are banking on could evaporate fast.
Thursday’s key question: can the stock stay above 2,000 pence after the initial broker notes arrive and the early volatility dies down? Traders will be quick to see if Wednesday’s jump was just momentum or backed by genuine, longer-term interest.
After the open, investors will zero in on any fresh details from management about the launch schedule and the extent to which the 2026 guidance hinges on currency assumptions and cost control.
The next key date is February 19, when shares will go ex-dividend for the announced 18 pence Q4 payout, scheduled for April 9. (Hargreaves Lansdown)
