Roche Raises Profit Targets for the Full Year – Shares Dip
October 23, 2025 – Roche announced today that sales for the first nine months of the year increased by 2 percent in Swiss francs. At constant exchange rates, sales rose by 7 percent, an acceleration from the 4 percent growth seen in the first semester.
The pharmaceutical division contributed 35.6 billion francs to sales, a 4 percent increase year-over-year. Though, key drugs like Hemlibra (for hemophilia), Vabysmo (for eye conditions), and ocrevus (for multiple sclerosis) underperformed compared to average analyst expectations, raising concerns as these are significant growth drivers for the company. Positively, the erosion of sales due to generic competition for older blockbuster drugs was less severe than previously anticipated by management.
The diagnostics division generated 10.3 billion francs in sales, a 4 percent decrease. This decline is attributed to volume-oriented procurement in China, an effect Roche CEO Thomas Schinecker anticipates will continue into the coming year. despite this, China remains a crucial market for Roche, with the pharmaceutical business performing better than diagnostics, though specific country figures are not disclosed.
Roche has reaffirmed its full-year sales outlook, projecting growth in the mid-single-digit percentage range at constant exchange rates. The company has also raised its core profit per share forecast to the high single-digit to low double-digit percentage range, up from a previous expectation of the high single-digit range. “Even if we don’t present any profit figures for the third quarter,they are available to us,” Schinecker stated,explaining that the positive trend from the first half continued into the third quarter.
When questioned about the timing of the increased forecast, Schinecker noted the continuation of trends. Journalists focused on the impact of US President Donald Trump‘s tariff policies, but Schinecker appeared confident, citing Roche’s increased inventory levels in the US and announcing planned investments of 50 billion francs over the next five years. “These plans exist and will be implemented,” he affirmed.
In other news, Roche announced the appointment of Nina Schwab-Hautzinger as Head of Group Communications, effective February 1, 2026. she will also join the expanded Corporate Executive Committee, succeeding Barbara Schädler, who is retiring.
Following the proclamation, Roche shares temporarily fell 3.81 percent to 269.80 francs on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
(awp) - Basel
