0838 GMT - Novo Nordisk's initial 2025 outlook is just ahead of Jefferies's expectations. But given a higher starting point and stronger currency effects it suggests up to 6% sales and 10% EBIT consensus upgrades, analysts at the bank write. Novo Nordisk's fourth-quarter sales beat expectations by 5%, mostly on positive U.S. gross-to-net adjustments--the discount offered between the list price and the actual net sales price--for its insulins. Sales of Wegovy were shy of expectations while Ozempic and Rybelsus were in line. A better gross margin, higher research and development costs but less selling and distribution spend helped EBIT beat by 9% and EPS by 6%. The stock will likely tick higher initially but could then fade, Jefferies says. Shares trade 4.2% higher at 617.20 Danish kroner. (dominic.chopping@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 05, 2025 03:38 ET (08:38 GMT)
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