Key Highlights
- Shares of AbbVie climb 1.72% following third-quarter revenue of $17.4 billion, up 10.3% year-over-year.
- Company posts adjusted diluted EPS of $3.82 in the latest quarter.
- Immunology growth accelerates with Skyrizi and Rinvoq offsetting Humira’s 31.2% revenue decline.
- Full-year 2026 adjusted EPS guidance upgraded to $13.95–$13.99 per share.
- Quarterly dividend set to increase 5.2%, with higher payments beginning February 2027.
Shares of AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) rose 1.72% to close at $295.79 following the pharmaceutical company’s impressive third-quarter financial performance. The stock added $4.99 during trading as investors responded positively to revenue expansion and earnings growth. The company also revealed an upgraded full-year 2026 earnings forecast and plans to raise its quarterly dividend.
The pharmaceutical giant posted third-quarter revenue of $17.404 billion, marking a 10.3% increase compared to the same period last year. On an operational basis, revenue advanced 10.5%, driven by robust demand throughout its key pharmaceutical segments. The company delivered adjusted diluted earnings per share of $3.82, while GAAP diluted EPS came in at $2.37.
Performance across divisions showed immunology and neuroscience posting strong gains, though aesthetics faced headwinds. Additionally, AbbVie finalized its purchase of Apogee Therapeutics, bolstering its immunology research and development capabilities. The company simultaneously raised its 2026 earnings projections and unveiled plans for enhanced shareholder returns.
Immunology and Neuroscience Segments Lead Third-Quarter Performance
AbbVie’s immunology business delivered $9.165 billion in third-quarter revenue, posting 16.3% year-over-year growth. Skyrizi accounted for $5.776 billion of this total, advancing 22.7% on a reported basis. Rinvoq added $2.706 billion to the immunology portfolio, climbing 23.9% during the three-month period.
Humira recorded revenue of $683 million, down 31.2% as biosimilar competition continued to erode market share. However, the strong combined performance of Skyrizi and Rinvoq more than compensated for Humira’s ongoing decline. This shift underscores the evolving makeup of the company’s immunology business.
The neuroscience segment generated $3.389 billion, up 19.4% from the prior year. Vraylar contributed $1.068 billion, gaining 14.3%, while Botox Therapeutic brought in $1.080 billion. Ubrelvy added $449 million to the segment’s total, and Qulipta generated $398 million.
Qulipta showed particularly strong momentum with 38.2% reported revenue growth, positioning it among the portfolio’s top performers. Vyalev, another neuroscience asset, contributed $286 million as the company continues expanding this therapeutic area. The results reflected widespread strength across multiple products in the neuroscience division.
Oncology Shows Modest Growth While Aesthetics Faces Pressure
The oncology division posted $1.696 billion in third-quarter revenue, edging up 0.8% year-over-year. Venclexta sales increased 10.7% to $803 million, and Elahere climbed 31% to reach $224 million. Imbruvica, however, saw revenue drop 26.1% to $522 million, constraining overall growth in the oncology portfolio.
The aesthetics business recorded $1.176 billion in revenue, slipping 1.4% compared to the year-ago quarter. Botox Cosmetic generated $669 million, up 4.9% year-over-year. Juvederm, conversely, declined 11.9% to $222 million in the quarter.
AbbVie achieved a GAAP gross margin of 75.4%, with the adjusted gross margin reaching 85.1%. Selling, general and administrative costs accounted for 23.5% of revenue on a GAAP basis. The company’s adjusted operating margin came in at 48.7%, compared with 36% under GAAP methodology.
Company Lifts 2026 Forecast and Announces Higher Dividend
Based on its third-quarter results, AbbVie elevated its full-year 2026 adjusted diluted EPS guidance. The company now expects $13.95–$13.99 per share, up from the previous range of $13.76–$13.96. This updated guidance incorporates a $0.69 per-share impact from acquired research and development expenses and milestone payments.
The company also closed its acquisition of Apogee Therapeutics during the quarter. This strategic transaction enhances the immunology pipeline and broadens the company’s development portfolio. The deal aligns with management’s long-term strategy to drive pharmaceutical innovation and growth.
AbbVie revealed a 5.2% increase to its 2027 quarterly dividend. The enhanced dividend will take effect with the payment scheduled for February 2027. This announcement reinforces the company’s commitment to returning capital to shareholders amid solid financial performance.
The quarterly results demonstrate sustained revenue growth across the company’s core pharmaceutical operations. Robust immunology and neuroscience sales compensated for weakness in certain oncology products and the aesthetics segment. The raised earnings guidance and dividend increase provide additional insight into management’s confidence in the company’s financial trajectory.
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