GSK starts 2026 with strong Q1, backs outlook and accelerates R&D pipeline

GlaxoSmithKline ( (GB:GSK) ) has shared an announcement.

GSK reported a robust start to 2026, with first-quarter sales rising 5% at constant exchange rates to £7.6 billion, driven by 14% growth in Specialty Medicines and double-digit gains in HIV, respiratory and oncology drugs, while vaccines advanced modestly and general medicines declined. Core operating profit grew 10% and core EPS 9% on a more favorable product mix, cost discipline and higher royalties, enabling £0.8 billion in free cash flow, continued share buybacks and a 17p dividend as management reaffirmed full-year guidance for low- to mid-single-digit sales growth and high-single-digit core profit and earnings expansion.

The company highlighted accelerating R&D momentum, including new approvals for asthma, COPD and multiple myeloma treatments, global regulatory filings for hepatitis B candidate bepirovirsen, breakthrough and PRIME designations for liver disease drug efimosfermin, and plans for multiple pivotal readouts and oncology trials in 2026, supported by targeted pipeline acquisitions in food allergy and pulmonary hypertension. GSK also confirmed that its 2026 outlook already factors in a new agreement with the U.S. government that exchanges lower prescription drug costs for relief from upcoming Section 232 tariffs on patented pharmaceuticals through early 2029, reducing a significant policy overhang for its U.S. operations and investors.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:GSK) stock is a Sell with a £19.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on GlaxoSmithKline stock, see the GB:GSK Stock Forecast page.

Spark’s Take on GSK Stock

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, GSK is a Neutral.

The score is driven primarily by strong profitability and improving recent fundamentals, supported by constructive 2026 guidance and pipeline momentum. Valuation is reasonable with a modest yield, while the main constraint is technical overbought risk and ongoing balance-sheet/earnings-consistency considerations.

To see Spark’s full report on GSK stock, click here.

More about GlaxoSmithKline

GSK plc is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on specialty medicines, vaccines and general pharmaceuticals, with strong positions in respiratory, HIV, oncology and vaccines such as shingles and meningitis. The group targets growth from higher-margin specialty products while managing a more mature general medicines portfolio across the U.S., Europe and international markets.

Average Trading Volume: 9,494,661

Technical Sentiment Signal: Buy

Current Market Cap: £80.48B

For detailed information about GSK stock, go to TipRanks’ Stock Analysis page.