GSK shares fall as investors worry about vaccine sales despite profit beat

The Guardian reported that shares in British drugmaker GSK slipped on Wednesday even though the company posted better‑than‑expected financial results. Investors were unsettled by weaker sales of its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and shingles vaccines, as well as recent product launches.

GSK announced a 19% drop in pre‑tax profit to £1.9 billion for the July‑September quarter, alongside £318 million in restructuring charges and the prospect of further costs. Despite the decline, the firm said core operating profit rose 5% and core earnings per share increased 1%, both ahead of analysts’ forecasts.

The market reaction highlights the tension between short‑term earnings performance and longer‑term growth expectations tied to the company’s vaccine portfolio. While the core metrics beat expectations, the dip in vaccine sales appears to have outweighed the profit beat in investors’ eyes.

Why it matters

The share decline shows that investors are prioritising future vaccine revenue over current earnings, which could affect GSK’s strategic focus and market valuation.

Key details

Location

United Kingdom · Europe

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

28 Oct 2026, 21:04 IST

Key names

GSK, British, FTSE, Business

Section

Business

Figure cited

Britain’s second-biggest pharmaceutical company reported a 19% decline in pre-tax profit to £1.9bn in the July to September quarter and £318m of restructuring charges, with more to come. (The Guardian)

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianGSK shares dive as weaker vaccine sales unnerve investors 28 Oct, 21:04

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

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