Merck share: Life Science is a strong driver of Merck

from the Euro am Sonntag editorial team

High demand for pharmaceuticals gave the chemical and pharmaceutical group Merck a boost at the start of the year. Mainly thanks to its Life Science business, the DAX group again achieved a record quarter. For CEO Beln Garijo, this is a sign that business is booming regardless of Corona.

She specified the goals of the Darmstadt group for the year as a whole. In 2022, Merck expects sales of between EUR 21.6 and 22.8 (previous year: 19.7) billion and adjusted earnings of between EUR 6.6 and 7.1 (6.1) billion. Persistently high energy and raw material prices are already taken into account.

In the first quarter, adjusted operating profit (Ebitda) increased by almost eight percent to 1.63 billion euros. Analysts had expected an average of 1.62 billion. Sales increased by a good twelve percent to 5.2 billion euros. Merck also benefited from strong growth in its cancer drugs business, in its business with the semiconductor industry, and from exchange rate effects. The bottom line was the profit was 884 million euros (plus 18 percent).

Image sources: Merck 2016, Merck KGaA