Bristol-Myers Squibb Company’s annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, highlights a strong financial performance. The company reported net sales of $46.4 billion, a 4% increase from the prior year, driven by the growth of its immunology and oncology franchises. Net earnings were $14.4 billion, or $7.14 per diluted share, compared to $12.4 billion, or $6.23 per diluted share, in the prior year. The company’s cash and investments totaled $24.4 billion, and it generated $14.1 billion in operating cash flow. Bristol-Myers Squibb also repurchased $5.5 billion of its common stock and paid $4.4 billion in dividends to shareholders. The company’s financial position remains strong, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.4 and a credit rating of A- from Standard & Poor’s.
Financial Performance Overview
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and delivering innovative medicines. In 2024, the company achieved multiple clinical and regulatory milestones across its portfolio, including approvals for several key products.
Financially, Bristol-Myers Squibb reported total revenues of $48.3 billion in 2024, an increase of 7% compared to 2023. This growth was primarily driven by the company’s Growth Portfolio, including products like Opdivo, Reblozyl and Breyanzi, as well as continued strong performance of Eliquis. However, the company faced generic erosion in its Legacy Portfolio, particularly for products like Revlimid, Sprycel and Pomalyst.
On the bottom line, Bristol-Myers Squibb reported a GAAP loss per share of $4.41 in 2024, compared to GAAP earnings per share of $3.86 in 2023. This significant decrease was primarily driven by a one-time, non-deductible $12.1 billion charge related to the acquisition of Karuna. After adjusting for this and other specified items, non-GAAP earnings per share decreased from $7.51 in 2023 to $1.15 in 2024, mainly due to the Karuna acquisition charge and higher interest expense, partially offset by higher revenues.
Revenue Trends
Bristol-Myers Squibb’s revenue growth was led by its Growth Portfolio, which includes newer and recently launched products. Key contributors to this growth included:
These growth drivers helped offset the impact of generic competition on the company’s Legacy Portfolio, particularly for products like Revlimid, Sprycel and Pomalyst. The company expects continued generic erosion within the Legacy Portfolio in 2025, primarily due to the loss of exclusivity for these products.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Key strengths of Bristol-Myers Squibb include:
Weaknesses and challenges facing the company include:
Outlook and Future Prospects
Looking ahead, Bristol-Myers Squibb’s strategy is focused on combining the resources and scale of a large pharmaceutical company with the speed and innovation of a biotech. The company’s priorities include:
The company’s pipeline is expected to be a key driver of future growth, with a number of registrational data readouts anticipated over the next 24 months. These could potentially lead to 10 or more new medicine approvals and multiple additional indications over the next five years.
In oncology, Bristol-Myers Squibb is focused on extending its leadership in immuno-oncology while also diversifying beyond this area, including through the acquisition of RayzeBio and its radiopharmaceutical platform. In hematology, the company is leveraging its expertise in targeted protein degradation and cell therapy to develop potentially first-in-class treatments for multiple myeloma and lymphoma.
In immunology, the company is advancing a LPA1 antagonist targeting pulmonary fibrosis, while in cardiovascular diseases, it is partnering with Johnson & Johnson on the development of milvexian for various indications. The company’s neuroscience portfolio has also been bolstered by the addition of Cobenfy for the treatment of schizophrenia.
Overall, Bristol-Myers Squibb appears well-positioned to navigate the challenges it faces, such as pricing pressures and generic competition, through its diversified portfolio, robust pipeline, and strategic focus on high-growth therapeutic areas. However, the company will need to carefully manage the integration and execution of its recent acquisitions to fully realize their potential and drive sustainable long-term growth.