GSK has announced strong financial results for 2024, marking significant growth in its specialty medicines portfolio while raising long-term revenue projections. The pharmaceutical giant achieved total sales of £31.38bn, representing a 3% increase from the previous year, though slightly below analyst expectations of £32bn.
Strong Performance in Specialty Medicines
The company's specialty medicines division emerged as a key growth driver, posting an impressive 19% sales increase. HIV treatments demonstrated robust performance with 13% growth, while oncology drug sales nearly doubled with a remarkable 98% surge. The general medicines segment also contributed positively, recording a 6% increase in sales.
Vaccine Division Faces Headwinds
Despite positive momentum in other areas, GSK's vaccine business experienced a 4% decline in sales. The company has indicated that this downward trend is expected to continue into 2025, with projections showing further decreases in vaccine revenue at a low single-digit rate.
Financial Performance and Shareholder Returns
Core earnings per share reached 159.3p, representing a 3% increase but falling short of the consensus estimate of 163.9p. In a move that demonstrates confidence in its financial position, GSK increased its dividend payout, declaring a fourth-quarter interim dividend of 16p per share, up from 15p in previous quarters. The full-year dividend totaled 61p, marking an improvement from 58p in 2023.
Enhanced Growth Outlook
CEO Emma Walmsley expressed optimism about the company's trajectory: "GSK delivered another year of excellent performance in 2024, with strong sales and core profit growth driven by accelerating momentum of our specialty medicines portfolio."
The company's confidence is further reflected in its upgraded five-year sales outlook, with projected revenues now exceeding £40bn, revised upward from the previous target of £38bn. This enhanced projection is supported by significant progress in GSK's late-stage drug pipeline, which includes 19 specialty medicines and vaccines in Phase III trials or registration stages out of a total 71 products in clinical development.
2025 Financial Guidance
Looking ahead to 2025, GSK has provided detailed guidance:
- Overall turnover growth of 3-5%
- Core EPS growth of 6-8%
- Low double-digit percentage growth in specialty medicines sales
- Flat performance expected in general medicines
- Low single-digit decline anticipated in vaccine sales
