Novo Nordisk's trading update ahead of next month's results pointed to an acceleration of growth in the third quarter. Sales grew by 38% and operating profit rose by 47%, ignoring exchange rate impacts.
The guidance range for 2023 sales growth has been upgraded to a range of 32-38% from 27-33% previously. For operating profit, growth of 40-46% is expected, up from 31-37%.
One key driver of the improvement is expectations of volumes for diabetes injection Ozempic. Pricing for both Ozempic, and weight-loss jab Wegovy has also helped.
The shares closed up nearly 1% on the day.
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Our view
Novo Nordisk is a leading provider of diabetes-care products such as insulin. Currently, the key growth driver is its range of GLP-1 products for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and more controversially as a weight-loss aid.
The market opportunity for this new generation of obesity treatment has the potential to support strong growth for many years. For now, positive data from recent clinical trials demonstrating benefits for cardiovascular health should provide the medical profession, and healthcare payers, with some added comfort around the growing patient interest in GLP-1 therapies. Novo Nordisk hopes this will support approvals that will enable clinicians to prescribe its Wegovy injections for more medical conditions. Importantly, in the US, signs are emerging that more health insurers are willing to cover the cost to patients.
But concerns are emerging about its long-term safety and Novo has attracted criticism for its marketing practices for one of its other obesity treatments. Potential restrictions on usage and marketing as well as emerging competition are risks to watch out for further down the line.
Another risk to note is that insulin pricing is under pressure. So far, the group's newer products and international expansion are more than offsetting those headwinds. But it's worth noting that the cost of these newer therapies is proving to be contentious, so there could be further calls to reduce prices. Novo is hopeful that the potential launch of its once-weekly insulin treatment icodec could revive the growth prospects for its insulin products, which still make up about a third of its diabetes care revenues. Regulatory approval is the next hurdle.
The rare disease market is another area of focus and one which has met with recent clinical success . This is something to watch but is currently a small part of the business.
A dominant market share and attractive end markets would be enough to attract investors' attention on their own, but Novo also runs a pretty tight ship operationally. That's allowed the group to boast operating profit margins of over 40%.
Cash conversion of these profits is impressive, allowing Novo to indulge in acquisition opportunities such as last year's addition of Forma Therapeutics, a specialist in rare blood disorders. It's also allowing it to invest heavily in increasing capacity, but manufacturing bottlenecks still seem to be the main constraint on growth across the business. Despite these challenges, guidance for operating profit growth has more than doubled so far this year.
The valuation is some way above the long-term average and towards the upper end of its peer group . We think this reflects the impressive track record of growth as well as expectations that this will continue, but remember past performance is not a guide to the future. The high rating leaves the valuation vulnerable to earnings disappointments.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) risk
The pharmaceuticals sector is relatively high-risk in terms of ESG. Product governance, particularly with safety and marketing, and affordable access to treatment are the key risk drivers. Labour relations, business ethics and bribery and corruption are also contributors to ESG risk.
According to Sustainalytics, Novo Nordisk's management of ESG risks is strong.
We have some concerns though. Executive pay is linked to both financial and non-financial targets, including sustainability targets, though it's unclear exactly how the two are linked. Novo Nordisk's product quality and safety programmes are adequate. The company also addresses pricing and access to medicine in emerging markets and the US. In general, Novo Nordisk has strong policies and programmes to address business ethics issues, but fails to address anti-competitive practices and has been implicated in alleged price fixing and questionable promotional activity controversies.
Novo Nordisk key facts
All ratios are sourced from Refinitiv. Please remember yields are variable and not a reliable indicator of future income. Keep in mind key figures shouldn't be looked at on their own - it's important to understand the big picture.
This article is original Hargreaves Lansdown content, published by Hargreaves Lansdown. It was correct as at the date of publication, and our views may have changed since then. Unless otherwise stated estimates, including prospective yields, are a consensus of analyst forecasts provided by Refinitiv. These estimates are not a reliable indicator of future performance. Yields are variable and not guaranteed. Investments rise and fall in value so investors could make a loss.
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