Bayer closes the first quarter of 2017 with a net profit up 38%, to 2,1 billion euros. Turnover, on the other hand, grew by 12%, to 13,2 billion. These results have made it possible to revise upwards the estimates on the trend for the entire year: now the group, which is still trying to finalize the merger with Monsanto, forecasts a turnover of 51 billion, from the 49 so far expected.
Positive quarterly also for Roche, which saw revenues rise by 4% to 12,9 billion Swiss francs (equal to 11,9 billion euros). Analyst estimates stopped at 12,70 billion. The Pharma division achieved a 4% increase in sales, to 10,1 billion Swiss francs, mainly thanks to the performance in the USA. Supporting the result were the new anti-cancer treatments but also the best-known drugs. In light of these numbers, Roche has confirmed its objectives for the full year 2017.
AstraZeneca instead, it saw its profit fall 17% in the first quarter as sales of the cholesterol-lowering drug Crestor fell in the United States, hit by competition from generics. Net income was $537 million, while revenue fell 12%. The drop in orders for the drug Crestor was 45%.
