Shares of GlaxoSmithKline PLC (GSK) soared 6.43% during intraday trading on Wednesday, following the release of its fourth-quarter financial results that significantly exceeded market expectations.

The pharmaceutical giant reported core earnings per share of £0.26 ($0.36) for Q4 2025, beating the FactSet consensus estimate of £0.24. Quarterly sales reached £8.62 billion, also above the expected £8.47 billion. For the full year 2026, the company issued a positive growth outlook, projecting core EPS to increase 7% to 9% and sales to rise 3% to 5%. Additionally, GSK announced a 12.5% increase in its quarterly dividend to 18 pence per share and forecast a dividend of 70 pence for FY2026, enhancing shareholder returns.

The strong quarterly performance was driven by double-digit growth in GSK's specialty medicines portfolio, particularly in HIV treatments, oncology, and immunology drugs. Analyst firms including Jefferies and Bernstein maintained bullish Buy ratings on the stock, citing solid near-term delivery and compelling long-term growth potential, with the company targeting sales exceeding £40 billion by 2031.