Amgen shares slip as company delivers mixed Q2 print; 2024 outlook raised

NEW YORK – Amgen Inc . (NASDAQ:) reported second-quarter results that exceeded analyst expectations for revenue while slightly missing on earnings per share (EPS). The biotechnology company also raised its full-year guidance above Wall Street estimates.

AMGN shares fell over 3% in premarket trading Wednesday. 

Amgen posted adjusted earnings of $4.97 per share for the quarter, just $0.01 below the analyst consensus of $4.98. Revenue came in at $8.39 billion, surpassing the expected $8.35 billion and marking a 20% increase YoY.

The company’s strong performance was driven by a 26% growth in sales volume, partially offset by a 3% decrease in net selling price. Excluding the impact of the Horizon Therapeutics (NASDAQ:) acquisition, product sales grew 5%, with volume growth of 10%.

“With a strong, balanced portfolio of in-market products and a rapidly advancing pipeline of innovative medicines, we are confident in our ability to deliver attractive long-term growth,” said Robert A. Bradway, chairman and chief executive officer.

Looking ahead, Amgen raised its full-year 2024 guidance. The company now expects earnings per share between $19.10 and $20.10, above the analyst consensus of $17.87. Revenue is projected to be in the range of $32.8 billion to $33.8 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate of $30.3 billion.

Despite the strong results and improved outlook, Amgen’s GAAP earnings per share decreased 46% to $1.38, primarily due to higher operating expenses related to the Horizon acquisition.

The company generated $2.2 billion in free cash flow during the quarter, down from $3.8 billion in the same period last year, mainly due to the timing of tax payments.

Commenting on the report, BMO Capital Markets analysts said a “commercially in-line quarter for Amgen underscores the importance of upcoming clinical readouts in
obesity and inflammatory disease.”

“From here, investor attention turns to Amgen’s pipeline with a significant number of readouts coming in the back half of the year,” they noted.

Separately, Piper Sandler analysts reiterated an Overweight rating on Amgen stock despite a “mixed print.”

“All in, we continue to think investors will look past operational choppiness as they await the all-important MariTide P2 readout.”

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