Novo Nordisk Q1 2026 Earnings: Revenue, Profit Beat; Full-Year Forecast Narrowed

May 7, 2026

Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of the weight-loss drug Wegovy, reported first-quarter revenue and adjusted operating profit that surpassed analyst expectations, according to a company-compiled poll. The Danish drugmaker also noted a slight improvement in its full-year outlook.

The company, as disclosed in a Reuters report dated May 6, posted an adjusted operating profit of 32.86 billion Danish crowns for the first quarter, compared to a mean forecast of 28.74 billion crowns. Novo Nordisk now anticipates its adjusted sales and operating profit for the year to decline by between 4% and 12% at constant exchange rates, a tighter range than the previous forecast of a 5% to 13% decline for both metrics.

Chief Executive Mike Doustdar attributed the revised guidance to strong Wegovy performance and continued growth in the company’s International Operations. The firm is betting on its newly launched oral Wegovy pill to drive a near-term recovery, even as margins face pressure following price cuts last year on its blockbuster injectable obesity drug.

The competitive landscape intensified in early April when U.S. rival Eli Lilly received FDA approval for its oral obesity drug Foundayo, ending Novo Nordisk’s brief period as the only oral obesity pill on the U.S. market. Over the past 12 months, Novo Nordisk’s share price has fallen nearly 40%, while Eli Lilly’s stock has risen approximately 18% during the same period, though Novo’s shares have been slowly recovering since late March amid rising hopes for its weight-loss pill.

The company has spent much of the past year on the defensive, facing disappointing trial results for a next-generation obesity drug, weaker-than-expected sales, and a share price decline that has erased more than $400 billion in market value since its 2024 peak. Meanwhile, Eli Lilly last week raised its full-year profit and revenue forecasts, citing surging demand for its weight-loss and diabetes drugs that helped offset lower prices across U.S. and international markets.

1. INTRODUCTION

Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

REPORT DESCRIPTION
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A Quick Overview of Market Performance

KEY FINDINGS
MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO

3. MARKET OVERVIEW

Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
CONSUMPTION BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
MARKET FORECAST TO 2035

4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORT

5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
UNSATURATED MARKETS
TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

7. PRODUCTION

The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
PRODUCTION BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)

8. IMPORTS

The Largest Import Supplying Countries

IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)

9. EXPORTS

The Largest Destinations for Exports

EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)

10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

11. COUNTRY PROFILES

The Largest Markets And Their Profiles

This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition
PRO

11.1

United States