Roche Raises 2025 Profit Forecast Amid Currency Challenges

Swiss drugmaker Roche raised its full-year earnings forecast for 2025, now expecting adjusted earnings per share to increase by a high single to low double-digit percentage, up from a previous high single-digit estimate, despite currency headwinds that affected sales. Revenue for the first nine months was 45.9 billion Swiss francs, reflecting a 7% increase at constant exchange rates but only a 2% rise in Swiss francs due to the stronger Swiss franc against other currencies, notably the US dollar. The company confirmed its outlook for mid single-digit sales growth and plans to further increase its dividend. CEO Thomas Schinecker highlighted that growth momentum, cost control measures, and efforts to mitigate US tariff impacts contributed to the improved profit guidance. Roche is investing heavily in obesity treatments to compete with market leaders Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, viewing the obesity market as still largely untapped. Despite some sales disappointments and a cool market reaction with shares falling about 2%, the earnings upgrade supports Schinecker's strategic initiatives in this growth area.