The latest Market Talks covering the Health Care sector. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires at 4:20 ET, 12:20 ET and 16:50 ET.

1058 ET - Eli Lilly is expanding the reach of its GLP-1 drugs internationally, a market with significant potential for the company especially as it launches its GLP-1 pill orforglipron. "Based on results over the past several quarters, international demand for GLP-1s is running ahead of our expectations and LLY remains in a clear position of strength based on Mounjaro's superior profile and the upcoming launch of orforglipron," the analysts say. "[International] Mounjaro sales are now annualizing to $12 billion despite what we view as a still highly underpenetrated market." Meanwhile, orforglipron, with its lower price and better scalability, has a significant opportunity internationally, the analysts say. (nicholas.miller@wsj.com)

0939 ET - Kimberly-Clark's board "carefully considered all of the risks, and all the opportunities," before coming to the conclusion that the company's $40 billion buy of Kenvue would create value for both companies, CEO Mike Hsu says on a call with analysts. The drugmaker's stock has come under pressure recently, amid claims from the Trump administration that acetaminophen--the active ingredient in Tylenol--is a potential cause of autism. Kenvue CEO Kirk Perry adds that, while he is limited in what he can say regarding current litigation, there is "nothing that is more important to us than the health of the people who use our products." (connor.hart@wsj.com)

0934 ET - Following its more than $40 billion tie-up with Kenvue, Kimberly-Clark will house 10 billion-dollar brands, including Kleenex tissues, Cottonelle toilet paper, Tylenol and Listerine mouthwash. "From the start, we'll be a $32 billion powerhouse, generating approximately $7 billion in Ebitda annually," Kimberly-Clark CEO Mike Hsu says on a call with analysts. The household-products maker says it will leverage its brand-building capabilities across Kenvue's portfolio, accelerating growth and capacity. "With a broader product range and greater reach, we will be better equipped to invest behind driving household penetration, and we will realize exceptional synergies that will fuel a powerful financial algorithm," Hsu says. Kimberly-Clark and Kenvue shares move in opposite directions in early trading. (connor.hart@wsj.com)

0922 ET - Kimberly-Clark expects $1.9 billion in cost savings within the first three years following its more than $40 billion acquisition of Kenvue. The household-products maker also forecasts about $500 million in incremental profit within four years of closing, roughly $300 million of which will be reinvested, Chief Financial Officer Nelson Urdaneta says on a call with analysts. "To drive these savings, we project one-time costs of approximately $2.5 billion in the first two years after closing," he adds. Ahead of the deal, teams from both companies conducted extensive operational analyses, identifying "a well-balanced and robust set of opportunities across cost of goods, sales, marketing and trade spend, as well as G&A," Urdaneta says. Kimberly-Clark falls 13% premarket, while Kenvue jumps 19%. (connor.hart@wsj.com)

0816 ET - Kenvue agreed to be acquired by Kimberly-Clark in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at about $48.7 billion, including debt. Strategic merits of the combination may include portfolio diversification, sharing of best practices in go-to-market and innovation, and scale and resources for investment and profitability, William Blair analysts say in a research note. "With this deal, Kenvue's short journey as a standalone public company will come to an end," the analysts write. "Kimberly-Clark is making a bet that the Tylenol controversy will wane, and it can steward a more diverse portfolio while realizing benefits of scale." Kenvue jumps 18%, while Kimberly-Clark sinks 14%. (connor.hart@wsj.com)

0728 ET - Kimberly-Clark's more than $40 billion deal to buy Kenvue comes as the drugmaker has recently made headlines, after the Trump Administration linked Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism. President Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. put out an official warning in September which stated that acetaminophen is a potential cause of autism, citing existing studies. Kenvue has repeatedly denied such claims, stating it hasn't found any casual association between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorders. Still, a citizen petition in September sought to change consumer labels on the popular pain reliever, and Texas last week sued Kenvue, alleging it hid autism risks of the pain reliever. Kenvue shares jump 20%, while Kimberly-Clark shares sink 15%. (connor.hart@wsj.com)

0607 ET - Novo Nordisk's bid for obesity-focused Metsera after Pfizer had already agreed a deal, potentially acts as a statement from the new CEO and board that they are no longer driving in the slow lane, AlphaValue analyst Abhishek Raval writes. Since being appointed as CEO in August 2025, Mike Doustdar has announced job cuts and three major deals potentially worth over $16 billion to address questions around medium-term growth. Metsera has four pipeline candidates in clinical trials, which could help Novo Nordisk regain market share lost to Eli Lilly and solidify its supremacy in the obesity space over the medium-to-long term. For Pfizer, a deal could make it a force to consider in the weight-loss arena, Raval adds. (dominic.chopping@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 03, 2025 12:20 ET (17:20 GMT)

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