By Adriano Marchese
Shares of Bausch Health gained after the pharmaceutical company reported stronger-than-expected sales across several key segments in the first quarter, lifting overall revenue above expectations and supporting its guidance for the year.
The stock climbed 10%, to 8.44 Canadian dollars (US$6.17), midday Thursday in Toronto. It has fallen about 11% so far this year.
The Laval, Quebec, company on Wednesday reported revenue that rose to US$2.52 billion, up from US$2.26 billion a year prior.
Growth was driven by an 18% increase in its largest segment, Salix, which develops and markets prescription drugs for digestive and liver diseases. The Solta Medical segment, while smaller, delivered the biggest jump, with revenue surging 51% following the acquisition of Shibo's full-service aesthetics business in China.
The company's international segment rose 9% while its diversified segment declined by 10%.
The performance across the board supported a beat to Wall Street expectations of US$2.41 billion in revenue.
In the quarter, the company logged a loss of US$1.42 billion, or US$3.82 a share, compared with a loss of US$58 million, or 16 U.S. cents a share, a year earlier, driven by an impairment charge related to Salix's RED-C program, but partially offset by a higher gross profit.
Adjusting for one-off items, such as the impairment charge, earnings came to 78 U.S. cents a share, ahead of the 67 U.S. cents a share forecasted by analysts.
The company reaffirmed its full-year outlook for revenue between US$10.67 billion and US$10.92 billion, with adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization between US$3.89 billion and US$4.01 billion.
Write to Adriano Marchese at adriano.marchese@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
April 30, 2026 12:30 ET (16:30 GMT)
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