1042 GMT - Novartis exceeded expectations with profit and sales figures, accompanied by an improved outlook, defying concerns about upcoming generic competition in the U.S. for three of its key products, Vontobel analyst Stefan Schneider says in a note. "With the generic entry to three Novartis products still expected per mid-year, the guidance increase appears to us as a very confident sign that the company's growth drivers are expected to perform well also during the remainder of the year," he says. The Swiss drugmaker hereby signals that it can comfortably overcompensate the expected generic erosion, he says. Shares rise 1.1% to 94.43 euros. (helena.smolak@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 29, 2025 06:42 ET (10:42 GMT)

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