AbbVie Raises 2026 Profit Forecast to $13.95–$13.99 per Share as Revenue Grows 10.3%

Key Facts

AbbVie reported on October 30 results for the third quarter ended September 30, with global revenue of $17.404 billion, up 10.3% on a reported basis and 10.5% operationally at constant exchange rates compared with the same period a year earlier. The company raised its 2026 adjusted diluted earnings-per-share forecast to a range of $13.95–$13.99, from $13.76–$13.96. Chief Executive Robert Michael said the company delivered "strong execution across our diversified portfolio." The results reflect the reliance of revenue growth on performance in the immunology and neuroscience portfolios, alongside continued declines in Humira sales. Shares fell 3% before the market opened, despite quarterly results beating analysts' expectations, after updated annual guidance came broadly in line with Wall Street estimates, according to Investing.com.

Diluted earnings per share were $2.37 under GAAP, while adjusted earnings per share reached $3.82 after excluding specified items. Both figures included a negative impact of $0.11 per share from acquired in-process research and development and milestones during the quarter. The updated annual forecast range also includes a cumulative negative impact of $0.69 per share from these expenses through the end of the third quarter. The revision puts the new forecast's lower end above the previous lower end and also raises its upper end. Available sources did not specify a single consensus estimate for earnings per share, so the size of the beat against analysts' estimates cannot be established from the figures provided here.

The immunology portfolio was the largest driver of reported revenue, posting $9.165 billion, up 16.3% from the third quarter of the previous year. Skyrizi revenue was about $5.776 billion, while Rinvoq posted $2.706 billion. By contrast, global Humira revenue fell 31.2% to $683 million. The decline comes amid U.S. competition from biosimilars, whose expected launch AbbVie said was linked to the drug losing exclusivity in 2023. In the second quarter of 2026, Humira revenue was about $756 million, down 35.9% year over year, indicating continued pressure on the product despite overall growth in the immunology portfolio.

Neuroscience portfolio revenue grew 19.4% to $3.389 billion in the third quarter. Vraylar revenue was about $1.068 billion, while Botox Therapeutic revenue reached $1.080 billion. Among other portfolios, oncology posted $1.696 billion, up 0.8%, while aesthetics portfolio revenue fell 1.4% to $1.176 billion. The figures show varying performance across the company's units, with faster growth in neuroscience and immunology than in oncology, and a contraction in aesthetics. Michael said regulatory approvals and clinical data helped strengthen the company's long-term growth prospects.

AbbVie completed its acquisition of Apogee Therapeutics, adding zumilokibart to its portfolio, a late-stage monoclonal antibody targeting IL-13 to treat atopic dermatitis. The acquisition also included the APG273 candidate for asthma. The company said the deal's completion, along with regulatory approvals and clinical data, strengthens its long-term growth prospects. Regarding its development pipeline, AbbVie said additional data from the Phase 3 study of lutikizumab, including an extended blinded follow-up period through 36 weeks, are expected in 2027. It added that these data will be used to support regulatory filings for the drug to treat hidradenitis suppurativa in the second half of 2027.

A comparison with the second quarter provides a picture of the growth pace before the latest results; global revenue then was $16.990 billion, up 10.2% year over year, and adjusted diluted earnings per share were $3.65. In the third quarter, revenue rose to $17.404 billion and adjusted earnings per share to $3.82. The improvement coincided with faster growth in the immunology portfolio, without stopping the sharp annual decline in Humira revenue. The company is scheduled to hold its investor results call at 8:00 a.m. Central time on October 30. AbbVie said an archived recording of the call will be available after 11:00 a.m. the same time.