Merck KGaA shares rise as healthcare growth lifts quarterly earnings

German drugmaker Merck KGaA (MRK: DE) saw its share price jump more than 5% after reporting third-quarter net sales of 5.3 billion euros ($5.9 billion), up 1% year on year. Earnings per share climbed to 2.07 euros, an 11% increase, helped by stronger operating income and gains from asset disposals.

Healthcare delivered the most momentum, growing 4.6% organically despite continued currency pressure. Cardiovascular, metabolism and endocrinology products were key drivers, supported by strong demand for Glucophage (metformin), Euthyrox (levothyroxine) and Saizen (somatropin). Mavenclad (cladribine) performed particularly well, rising in the low-twenties percentage range on growing use in North America and Europe.

Oncology was mixed. Erbitux (cetuximab) posted low-teens organic growth, while Bavencio (avelumab) declined due to competitive pressure in metastatic urothelial carcinoma. Newly acquired rare-disease therapies Ogsiveo (nirogacestat) and Gomekli (mirdametinib) contributed from July following the closing of the SpringWorks acquisition.