Zurich, Feb 1, 2026, 20:01 CET — The market has closed.
- Novartis shares ended Friday at 114.62 Swiss francs, gaining 0.3%.
- The drugmaker will release its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results on Feb. 4.
- Investors await new guidance and updates on crucial growth drugs and upcoming deal strategies.
Novartis shares closed Friday on the SIX Swiss Exchange at 114.62 Swiss francs, gaining 0.3% for the session. With markets closed over the weekend, attention shifts to the company’s upcoming update.
The reason this week’s results matter is clear: they’ll shape the outlook for 2026. The stock has climbed near the top of its recent range, and investors remain uncertain about how much growth potential the latest batch of medicines still holds.
According to its investor event calendar, the company will release its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results on Wednesday, February 4. A webcast from Basel is set to begin at 14:00 CET.
Analysts monitored by Yahoo Finance forecast quarterly earnings near $1.99 per share. Investors will scrutinize this number for clues on the health of core brands and any changes in the outlook.
Traders are focusing less on the headline figure and more on the details. They’ll be scrutinizing sales trends in cancer and immunology drugs, looking for any remarks on launch expenses, and watching for signs the company plans to tighten cost controls.
Deal chatter persists. At an industry conference in January, Vasant Narasimhan said Novartis is “always looking for opportunities” in its main fields and is after deals “that make sense.” Reuters
Novartis has been leaning heavily on acquisitions and licensing to shore up its pipeline ahead of key patent expiries. In November, the company projected annual sales growth of 5% to 6% through 2030, adjusted for currency fluctuations. It also highlighted planned deals, including the $12 billion acquisition of Avidity Biosciences, which is set to close in the first half of 2026.
The lengthy runway adds to the pressure. Investors have seen the targets; now they’re demanding concrete evidence—quarterly sales and guidance, not just another pipeline slide deck.
There is a downside risk, though. Should management highlight quicker declines in older drugs, intensified pricing pressure, or a sluggish start for new launches, the stock might fail to sustain its recent gains—even with an earnings beat.
Trading on Monday might be unsettled as investors brace for Wednesday’s report. The next definite trigger comes with the February 4 results and management call scheduled for 14:00 CET.
