UBS Upgrades Viatris to Buy, Raises Price Target to $11
Viatris Inc. shares rose by 3.02% and reached a 52-week high amid a broader market decline, with the Nasdaq-100 down 0.23% and the S&P 500 down 0.06%.
The stock's increase follows UBS's upgrade of Viatris from Neutral to Buy, raising the price target from $8 to $11 per share. Analyst Ashwani Verma highlighted the company's growth prospects driven by a new product cycle and potential cost savings, which are expected to enhance market demand for Viatris's stock.
This upgrade is likely to attract more investor interest, reflecting confidence in Viatris's future performance and positioning in the healthcare sector.
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- Conference Schedule: Viatris Inc. will present at the Bank of America Securities 2026 Healthcare Conference on May 12, 2026, at 8 a.m. PT / 11 a.m. ET, providing updates to investors and the public about the company's latest developments.
- Live and Archived Access: The event will feature a live webcast accessible via viatris.com, and an archived version will be available post-event, ensuring that investors who cannot attend live can still access important information.
- Company Mission and Vision: Viatris aims to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life, demonstrating its commitment to meeting global patient needs through innovation and resolve, thereby showcasing its impact in the healthcare sector.
- Global Presence: Headquartered in the U.S., Viatris has global centers in Shanghai, China, and Hyderabad, India, highlighting its business expansion and focus on diverse markets around the world.
- Strong Financial Performance: Viatris reported total revenues of $3.5 billion in Q1 2026, reflecting a 3% year-over-year increase, with adjusted EBITDA of $1 billion and adjusted EPS of $0.59, indicating robust growth and profitability in the market.
- Regional Growth Drivers: The cardiovascular portfolio in Greater China drove an 18% year-over-year growth, while e-commerce sales more than doubled, enhancing the company's competitive position in the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific market and laying a foundation for future revenue growth.
- Pipeline Progress: The NDA for fast-acting meloxicam has been accepted for FDA review, with regulatory decisions expected in the second half of 2026, while the PDUFA goal dates for XULANE LO and presbyopia treatment are set for July 30 and October 17, 2026, respectively, showcasing the company's ongoing commitment to innovative drug development.
- Leadership Change and Outlook: Interim CFO Paul Campbell has taken over from former CFO Doretta Mistras, with management reaffirming confidence in their 2026 financial guidance, expecting mid- to high-single-digit growth in Greater China despite policy risks and competitive pressures in the market.
- Strong Earnings Beat: Viatris reported $3.5 billion in revenue for Q1 2026, exceeding consensus by $150 million with approximately 8% year-over-year growth, marking its third consecutive quarter of growth and indicating robust business recovery momentum.
- Brand Segment Growth: The Brands segment contributed $2.3 billion to revenue with around 10% year-over-year growth, driven by acceleration in Greater China and strength in Emerging Markets, further solidifying Viatris's competitive position globally.
- Profitability Improvement: The adjusted gross margin remained steady at 56%, while adjusted EBITDA and adjusted earnings per share increased by 14% and approximately 18% year-over-year to $1.0 billion and $0.59, respectively, surpassing analyst expectations and reflecting effective cost management and profitability enhancement.
- Full-Year Guidance Reaffirmed: Although the midpoint of adjusted EPS guidance at $2.40 fell short of the consensus of $2.44, the 2026 revenue guidance of $14.450 billion to $14.950 billion exceeded analyst projections, demonstrating the company's confidence in future growth.

Revenue Growth Expectations: Viasat executives anticipate significant growth in single-digit revenue in China by 2026.
Market Insights: The company's confidence in revenue growth is based on current market trends and demand in the region.
- Earnings Highlights: Viatris reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $0.59, beating expectations by $0.09, which reflects strong profitability and boosts investor confidence in the company's financial health.
- Revenue Growth: The company achieved Q1 revenue of $3.51 billion, an 8.0% year-over-year increase, exceeding market expectations by $150 million, indicating robust demand and competitive positioning in the market.
- 2026 Guidance: Viatris projects FY26 revenue of $14.64 billion and adjusted EPS of $2.44, demonstrating confidence in future growth despite market caution regarding its long-term strategy and turnaround efforts.
- Free Cash Flow Outlook: The expected free cash flow for 2026 ranges from $1.95 billion to $2.35 billion, with a midpoint of $2.15 billion, providing essential funding for future investments and strategic restructuring initiatives.









