Merck sees 1Q adjusted earns of 71-75c a share
Merck & Co. Tuesday said it expects first-quarter earnings of 71 to 75 cents a share, excluding restructuring charges. The Dow component attributed the outlook to strong revenue from Zocor, its cholesterol medication, and the timing of marketing and administrative and research and development expenses. These expenses also came in lower than expected, the Whitehouse Station, N.J., drug giant said. Including charges, the company forecast earnings of 61 to 67 cents a share for the first quarter. The current average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson First Call is for a profit of 64 cents a share in the March period on revenue of $5.35 billion. Merck also reaffirmed its outlook for earnings before items of $2.28 to $2.36 a share for the full year. Including restructuring charges, the company still sees earnings of $1.98 to $2.12 a share for 2006. Wall Street's current consensus estimate is for a profit of $2.33 a share for the year. Merck noted that its outlook doesn't reflect the establishment of any reserves for any potential liability related to the ongoing Vioxx litigation. The stock surged 55 cents, or 1.6%, to $35.95 in pre-market action on Instinet.
Quelle:StockMarket
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Merck & Co erhöht Prognosen
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