Shares of drugmaker Merck & Co. surged 4 percent to a new high for the year Friday as its second-quarter results easily beat Wall Street expectations – just as generic competition is set to start affecting sales of its top-selling medicine, Singulair.
The world’s third-biggest drugmaker by revenue maintained its profit forecast despite net income dropping 11.4 percent as higher sales were offset by unfavorable currency rates and acquisition and restructuring costs.
Still, adjusted profit was up 9 percent, and it was Merck’s sixth straight quarter with revenue and adjusted income both up.
News Tribune news services
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