IQVIA raises annual profit forecast on clinical research demand

July 28 (Reuters) – IQVIA Holdings raised its annual profit forecast on Tuesday after reporting better-than-expected second-quarter results, driven by strong demand for its healthcare data and analytics services, sending its shares up 11% before the bell.

Here are the details:

• IQVIA and other contract research providers have benefited from improving demand as biotech funding recovers and drugmakers increase outsourcing of clinical development, data analytics and safety testing work.

• CEO Ari Bousbib said favorable indicators across the segments point to “sustained momentum for the balance of the year and into 2027.”

• “Against the backdrop of better CRO sentiment (and a higher bar), IQVIA’s results came in better across the board,” Leerink Partners analysts said.

• The company raised its 2026 revenue forecast to $17.28 billion to $17.48 billion from $17.15 billion to $17.35 billion previously.

• IQVIA now expects 2026 adjusted profit of $12.80 to $13.00 per share, compared with its prior forecast of $12.65 to $12.95 per share.

• Second-quarter revenue rose 8.7% to $4.37 billion, topping analysts’ estimate of $4.30 billion, while adjusted earnings per share of $3.15 exceeded an expectation of $3.03 per share, according to data compiled by LSEG.

• Research & Development Solutions revenue, IQVIA’s largest segment, increased 8.8% to $2.58 billion from a year ago, above analysts’ estimate of $2.50 billion. Commercial Solutions revenue rose 8.6% to $1.79 billion.

• Research & Development Solutions reported net new bookings of $3.15 billion, up 19% year-over-year, resulting in a book-to-bill ratio of 1.22x. This metric compares the value of new orders to revenue recognized.

(Reporting by Sahil Pandey in Bengaluru; Editing by Pooja Desai)