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PFIZER REPORTS STRONG FIRST-QUARTER 2021 RESULTS

May 4, 2021 6:45 AM

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) reported financial results for first-quarter 2021 and raised 2021 guidance(3) for revenues and Adjusted diluted EPS(2) driven by the updated expectations for contributions to 2021 performance from BNT162b2, the Pfizer-BioNTech SE (BioNTech) COVID-19 vaccine, as well as the strong performance of the business excluding BNT162b2, partially offset by anticipated additional R&D investments into vaccines to protect against COVID-19, as well as other mRNA-based development programs and COVID-19 antivirals.

Additionally, Pfizer published this morning on its website the first-quarter 2021 earnings presentation and accompanying prepared remarks from management.

EXECUTIVE COMMENTARY

Dr. Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated: “I am extremely proud of the way we have begun 2021, delivering strong financial results in the first quarter. Even excluding the growth provided from BNT162b2, our revenues grew 8% operationally, which aligns with our stated goal of delivering at least a 6% compound annual growth rate through 2025. In addition, we have achieved important clinical, regulatory and commercial milestones across our pipeline and portfolio while also continuing to increase our capacity to supply urgently-needed doses of BNT162b2 to the world. Each of these accomplishments further demonstrates our commitment to Pfizer’s purpose: Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives.”

Frank D’Amelio, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Global Supply, stated: “I am very happy with the performance of all of our therapeutic areas this quarter. Multiple innovative and biosimilar products across our portfolio delivered growth, demonstrating the strength of our business and the depth and breadth of our growth drivers. I am also pleased with our recent announcement that we will maintain our dividend for second-quarter 2021 at the current level, even after Viatris begins paying its dividend. This will make 2021 the 12th year in a row with a dividend increase. I remain confident in Pfizer’s ability to continue to deliver on our commitments to our patients and shareholders in 2021 and beyond.”

Results for the first quarter of 2021 and 2020(5) are summarized below.

OVERALL RESULTS

($ in millions, except
per share amounts)

First-Quarter

2021

2020

Change

Revenues

$ 14,582

$ 10,083

45%

Reported Net Income(1)

4,877

3,355

45%

Reported Diluted EPS(1)

0.86

0.60

44%

Adjusted Income(2)

5,262

3,546

48%

Adjusted Diluted EPS(2)

0.93

0.63

47%

REVENUES

($ in millions)

First-Quarter

2021

2020

% Change

Total

Oper.

Vaccines

$ 4,894

$ 1,611

*

*

Oncology

2,862

2,435

18%

16%

Internal Medicine

2,594

2,332

11%

10%

Hospital

2,343

2,088

12%

10%

Inflammation & Immunology

1,065

978

9%

7%

Rare Disease

824

639

29%

25%

Total Revenue

$ 14,582

$ 10,083

45%

42%

* Indicates calculation not meaningful.

Following the completion of the spin-off of the Upjohn Business(4) in the fourth quarter of 2020, Pfizer now operates as a focused innovative biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development, manufacturing, marketing, sales and distribution of biopharmaceutical products worldwide.

Revenues and expenses associated with the Upjohn Business(4) for first-quarter 2020 have been recategorized as discontinued operations and excluded from Adjusted(2) results. Pfizer’s Meridian subsidiary, the manufacturer of EpiPen and other auto-injector products, which had been reported within the results of the Upjohn Business(4) in the first three quarters of 2020, is now included within the Hospital therapeutic area for all periods presented.

Business development activities completed in 2020 and 2021 impacted financial results in the periods presented(4). Some amounts in this press release may not add due to rounding. All percentages have been calculated using unrounded amounts. References to operational variances pertain to period-over-period changes that exclude the impact of foreign exchange rates(6).

2021 FINANCIAL GUIDANCE(3)

Financial guidance reflects management’s current expectations for operational performance, foreign exchange rates and management’s current projections as to the severity, duration and global macroeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key guidance assumptions included in these projections broadly reflect a continued recovery in macroeconomic and healthcare activity throughout 2021 as more of the population becomes vaccinated against COVID-19. These assumptions are guided by the trajectory of current infection rates in many parts of the world and the expected timeline for broad access to effective vaccines.

Pfizer is raising its guidance ranges for revenues, Adjusted cost of sales(2) as a percentage of revenues, Adjusted R&D expenses(2) and Adjusted diluted EPS(2) to reflect the updated expectations for contributions to 2021 performance from BNT162b2 and the continued strong performance of the business excluding BNT162b2, partially offset by anticipated additional R&D investments into vaccines to protect against COVID-19, as well as early research investments into other mRNA-based development programs and COVID-19 antivirals. Current 2021 financial guidance is presented below.

Revenues

$70.5 to $72.5 billion

(previously $59.4 to $61.4 billion)

Adjusted Cost of Sales(2) as a Percentage of Revenues

38.0% to 39.0%

(previously 32.0% to 33.0%)

Adjusted SI&A Expenses(2)

$11.0 to $12.0 billion

Adjusted R&D Expenses(2)

$9.8 to $10.3 billion

(previously $9.2 to $9.7 billion)

Adjusted Other (Income)/Deductions(2)

Approximately $2.2 billion of income

Effective Tax Rate on Adjusted Income(2)

Approximately 15.0%

Adjusted Diluted EPS(2)

$3.55 to $3.65

(previously $3.10 to $3.20)

The midpoint of the guidance range for revenues represents 71% growth from 2020 revenues, including an expected $1.3 billion, or 3%, favorable impact from changes in foreign exchange rates. The midpoint of the updated guidance range for Adjusted diluted EPS(2) reflects a 59% increase over 2020 actual results, including an expected $0.09, or 4%, benefit due to favorable changes in foreign exchange rates.

Financial guidance for Adjusted diluted EPS(2) is calculated using approximately 5.7 billion weighted average shares outstanding, and does not currently assume any share repurchases in 2021.

Update to Assumptions Related to BNT162b2 Within Guidance

Due to additional supply agreements that have been signed since the previous guidance release, Pfizer is updating the revenue assumptions related to BNT162b2 incorporated within the above guidance ranges. The updated assumptions are summarized below.

Revenues for BNT162b2

Approximately $26 billion

(previously approximately $15 billion)

Adjusted Income(2) Before Tax (IBT)

Margin for BNT162b2

High-20s as a Percentage of Revenues

The BNT162b2 revenue projection incorporated within Pfizer’s 2021 financial guidance includes 1.6 billion doses that are expected to be delivered in 2021 under contracts that have been signed through mid-April 2021. This guidance may be adjusted in the future as additional contracts are executed.

Adjusted(2) IBT margin guidance for BNT162b2 incorporates the current expectation for revenues for the product, less anticipated Adjusted(2) costs to manufacture, market and distribute BNT162b2, including applicable royalty expenses and a 50% gross margin split with BioNTech, as well as shared R&D expenses related to BNT162b2 and costs associated with other assets currently in development for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. It also includes R&D expenses related to other mRNA-based development programs which are excluded from the collaboration with BioNTech. It does not include an allocation of corporate or other overhead costs.

Selected Financial Guidance Ranges Excluding BNT162b2

Pfizer is increasing its previous 2021 financial guidance for revenues and is reaffirming guidance ranges for Adjusted cost of sales(2) as a percentage of revenues and Adjusted diluted EPS(2) with BNT162b2 contributions excluded.

Revenues

$44.6 to $46.6 billion

(previously $44.4 to $46.4 billion)

Adjusted Cost of Sales(2) as a Percentage of Revenues

21% to 22%

Adjusted Diluted EPS(2)

$2.50 - $2.60

The midpoint of the revenue guidance range above reflects approximately 6% operational growth compared to 2020 when all revenue impacts related to BNT162b2 are excluded from both periods, which is in line with the company’s stated goal of at least a 6% revenue compound annual growth rate through 2025. The midpoint of Pfizer’s Adjusted diluted EPS(2) guidance range excluding BNT162b2 reflects approximately 11% operational growth compared to the prior year.

CAPITAL ALLOCATION

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (First-Quarter 2021 vs. First-Quarter 2020)

First-quarter 2021 revenues totaled $14.6 billion, an increase of $4.5 billion, or 45%, compared to the prior-year quarter, reflecting operational growth of $4.2 billion, or 42%, as well as a favorable impact of foreign exchange of $284 million, or 3%.

Compared with the prior-year quarter, first-quarter 2021 revenues were favorably impacted by approximately $400 million as a result of first-quarter 2021 having three additional selling days in the U.S. and four additional selling days in international markets. This increase in selling days will be offset in fourth-quarter 2021, resulting in essentially the same number of selling days in full-year 2021 as full-year 2020.

The favorable impact in first-quarter 2021 from selling days was partially offset by the non-recurrence of favorable impacts related to COVID-19 on first-quarter 2020, including increased demand for certain products of approximately $150 million and additional wholesaler inventories of approximately $100 million. The net favorable impact on first-quarter 2021 revenues of all of the above factors was approximately $150 million, accounting for approximately 1.5 percentage points of operational growth.

First-quarter 2021 operational growth was primarily driven by:

partially offset primarily by lower revenues for:

GAAP Reported(1) Income Statement Highlights

SELECTED REPORTED COSTS AND EXPENSES(1)

($ in millions)

First-Quarter

2021

2020

% Change

Total

Oper.

Cost of Sales(1)

$ 4,211

$ 1,940

*

*

Percent of Revenues

28.9

%

19.2

%

N/A

N/A

SI&A Expenses(1)

2,783

2,541

10%

8%

R&D Expenses(1)

2,014

1,672

20%

20%

Total

$ 9,008

$ 6,154

46%

43%

Other (Income)/Deductions––net(1)

($1,004)

$190

*

*

Effective Tax Rate on Reported Income(1)

14.2

%

12.6

%

* Indicates calculation not meaningful.

First-quarter 2021 Cost of Sales(1) as a percentage of revenues increased 9.7 percentage points compared with the prior-year quarter. The drivers for the increase include, among other things:

SI&A Expenses(1) increased 8% operationally in first-quarter 2021 compared with the prior-year quarter, reflecting, among other things:

partially offset by:

First-quarter 2021 R&D Expenses(1) increased 20% operationally compared with the prior-year quarter, which primarily reflects spending on Pfizer’s efforts to develop BNT162b2 and therapeutics to help treat COVID-19.

Pfizer recorded $1.0 billion of other income––net(1) in first-quarter 2021 compared with $190 million of other deductions––net(1) in first-quarter 2020, primarily driven by net gains on equity securities in first-quarter 2021 versus net losses recorded in first-quarter 2020, higher net periodic benefit credits related to pension and postretirement plans and higher income from collaborations.

Adjusted(2) Income Statement Highlights

SELECTED ADJUSTED COSTS AND EXPENSES(2)

($ in millions)

First-Quarter

2021

2020

% Change

Total

Oper.

Adjusted Cost of Sales(2)

$ 4,177

$ 1,917

*

*

Percent of Revenues

28.6

%

19.0

%

N/A

N/A

Adjusted SI&A Expenses(2)

2,659

2,450

9%

7%

Adjusted R&D Expenses(2)

2,013

1,673

20%

19%

Total

$ 8,849

$ 6,041

46%

43%

Adjusted Other (Income)/Deductions––net(2)

($600)

($262)

*

*

Effective Tax Rate on Adjusted Income(2)

15.3

%

16.0

%

* Indicates calculation not meaningful.

Changes in Adjusted(2) costs and expenses in first-quarter 2021 compared to the prior-year quarter were driven primarily by the factors listed in the Reported(1) costs and expenses section above.

A full reconciliation of Reported(1) to Adjusted(2) financial measures and associated footnotes can be found in the financial tables section of the press release located at the hyperlink below.

RECENT NOTABLE DEVELOPMENTS (Since February 2, 2021)

Product Developments

Pipeline Developments

A comprehensive update of Pfizer’s development pipeline was published today and is now available at www.pfizer.com/science/drug-product-pipeline. It includes an overview of Pfizer’s research and a list of compounds in development with targeted indication and phase of development, as well as mechanism of action for some candidates in Phase 1 and all candidates from Phase 2 through registration.

Corporate Developments

Please find Pfizer’s press release and associated financial tables, including reconciliations of certain GAAP reported to non-GAAP adjusted information, at the following hyperlink:

https://investors.pfizer.com/files/doc_financials/2021/q1/Q1-2021-PFE-Earnings-Release.pdf

(Note: If clicking on the above link does not open up a new web page, you may need to cut and paste the above URL into your browser's address bar.)

For additional details, see the associated financial schedules and product revenue tables attached to the press release located at the hyperlink referred to above and the attached disclosure notice.

(1) Revenues is defined as revenues in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Reported net income and its components are defined as net income attributable to Pfizer Inc. and its components in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) is defined as diluted EPS attributable to Pfizer Inc. common shareholders in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

(2) Adjusted income and its components and Adjusted diluted EPS are defined as reported U.S. GAAP net income(1) and its components and reported diluted EPS(1) excluding purchase accounting adjustments, acquisition-related costs, discontinued operations and certain significant items (some of which may recur, such as actuarial gains and losses from pension and postretirement plan remeasurements, gains on the completion of joint venture transactions, restructuring charges, legal charges or gains and losses from equity securities, but which management does not believe are reflective of ongoing core operations). Adjusted cost of sales, Adjusted selling, informational and administrative (SI&A) expenses, Adjusted research and development (R&D) expenses and Adjusted other (income)/deductions are income statement line items prepared on the same basis as, and therefore components of, the overall Adjusted income measure.

As described in the Non-GAAP Financial Measure: Adjusted Income section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Pfizer’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, management uses Adjusted income, among other factors, to set performance goals and to measure the performance of the overall company. Because Adjusted income is an important internal measurement for Pfizer, management believes that investors’ understanding of our performance is enhanced by disclosing this measure. Pfizer reports Adjusted income, certain components of Adjusted income, and Adjusted diluted EPS in order to present the results of the company’s major operations––the discovery, development, manufacture, marketing and sale of prescription medicines and vaccines––prior to considering certain income statement elements. See the accompanying reconciliations of certain GAAP Reported to Non-GAAP Adjusted information for the first quarter of 2021 and 2020. The Adjusted income and its components and Adjusted diluted EPS measures are not, and should not be viewed as, substitutes for U.S. GAAP net income and its components and diluted EPS(1).

(3) Pfizer does not provide guidance for GAAP Reported financial measures (other than revenues) or a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP Reported financial measures on a forward-looking basis because it is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of pending litigation, unusual gains and losses, acquisition-related expenses, gains and losses from equity securities, actuarial gains and losses from pension and postretirement plan remeasurements and potential future asset impairments without unreasonable effort. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could have a material impact on GAAP Reported results for the guidance period.

Financial guidance for full-year 2021 reflects the following:

(4) The following business development activity, among others, impacted financial results for the periods presented:

(5) Pfizer’s fiscal year-end for international subsidiaries is November 30 while Pfizer’s fiscal year-end for U.S. subsidiaries is December 31. Therefore, Pfizer’s first quarter for U.S. subsidiaries reflects the three months ended on April 4, 2021 and March 29, 2020 while Pfizer’s first quarter for subsidiaries operating outside the U.S. reflects the three months ended on February 28, 2021 and February 23, 2020.

(6) References to operational variances in this press release pertain to period-over-period growth rates that exclude the impact of foreign exchange rates. Although exchange rate changes are part of Pfizer’s business, they are not within Pfizer’s control and since they can mask positive or negative trends in the business, Pfizer believes presenting operational variances excluding these foreign exchange changes provides useful information to evaluate Pfizer’s results.

(7) BNT162b2 has not been approved or licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but has been authorized for emergency use by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for use in individuals 16 years of age and older. The emergency use of this product is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of the medical product under Section 564 (b) (1) of the FD&C Act unless the declaration is terminated or authorization revoked sooner. Please see the EUA Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine (Vaccination Providers) including full EUA prescribing information available at www.cvdvaccine.com.

(8) The U.S. birth rate decline was 5% compared to 2020 levels, according to Demographic Intelligence.

DISCLOSURE NOTICE: Except where otherwise noted, the information contained in this earnings release and the related attachments is as of May 4, 2021. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this earnings release and the related attachments as a result of new information or future events or developments.

This earnings release and the related attachments contain forward-looking statements about, among other topics, our anticipated operating and financial performance; reorganizations; business plans and prospects; expectations for our product pipeline, in-line products and product candidates, including anticipated regulatory submissions, data read-outs, study starts, approvals, clinical trial results and other developing data that become available, revenue contribution, growth, performance, timing of exclusivity and potential benefits; strategic reviews; capital allocation objectives; dividends and share repurchases; plans for and prospects of our acquisitions, dispositions and other business development activities, and our ability to successfully capitalize on these opportunities; manufacturing and product supply; our efforts to respond to COVID-19, including the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (BNT162b2) and our investigational protease inhibitors; and our expectations regarding the impact of COVID-19 on our business, operations and financial results that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the fact that they use future dates or use words such as “will,” “may,” “could,” “likely,” “ongoing,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “assume,” “target,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “goal,” “objective,” “aim,” “seek” and other words and terms of similar meaning. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from past results and future plans and projected future results are the following:

Risks Related to Our Business, Industry and Operations, and Business Development:

Risks Related to Government Regulation and Legal Proceedings:

Risks Related to Intellectual Property, Technology and Security:

We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will be realized. Should known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize or should underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could vary materially from past results and those anticipated, estimated or projected. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. A further list and description of risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and in our subsequent reports on Form 10-Q, in each case including in the sections thereof captioned “Forward-Looking Information and Factors That May Affect Future Results” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and in our subsequent reports on Form 8-K.

This earnings release may include discussion of certain clinical studies relating to various in-line products and/or product candidates. These studies typically are part of a larger body of clinical data relating to such products or product candidates, and the discussion herein should be considered in the context of the larger body of data. In addition, clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations, and, even when we view data as sufficient to support the safety and/or effectiveness of a product candidate or a new indication for an in-line product, regulatory authorities may not share our views and may require additional data or may deny approval altogether.

The information contained on our website or any third-party website is not incorporated by reference into this earnings release.

Media

Amy Rose 212.733.7410

Investors

Chuck Triano 212.733.3901

Bryan Dunn 212.733.8917

Source: Pfizer Inc.

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