Only 16 of 23 healthcare companies in a third-quarter tally increased earnings from a year earlier, even as earnings-per-share (EPS) beats reached 96%, highlighting the gap between forecast comparisons and annual growth.
Twenty-two firms, or 96%, reported EPS above estimates, while 21, or 91%, exceeded revenue estimates. Beat rates count companies that topped estimates; they do not show the size of each surprise. An estimate comparison measures results against a forecast for the quarter, while year-over-year growth compares results with the same period a year earlier.
That distinction separates the 22 EPS beats from the 16 companies, or 70%, whose earnings rose year over year. One company missed EPS estimates, and two missed revenue estimates, even though revenue grew at every company in the tally. The figures therefore show more estimate beats than year-over-year earnings gains.
Eli Lilly recorded 39% revenue growth, the highest among the companies highlighted, and raised its fiscal 2026 revenue outlook. Regeneron posted 36% revenue growth. AbbVie, Gilead, Biogen and Illumina each increased some elements of their fiscal 2026 guidance.
Amgen, Pfizer, Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Novo Nordisk are scheduled to report results next week.
