Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at Supernus Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SUPN) and the best and worst performers in the branded pharmaceuticals industry.

Looking ahead, the branded pharmaceutical industry is positioned for tailwinds from advancements in precision medicine, increasing adoption of AI to enhance drug development efficiency, and growing global demand for treatments addressing chronic and rare diseases. However, headwinds include heightened regulatory scrutiny, pricing pressures from governments and insurers, and the looming patent cliffs for key blockbuster drugs. Patent cliffs bring about competition from generics, forcing branded pharmaceutical companies back to the drawing board to find the next big thing.

The 10 branded pharmaceuticals stocks we track reported a mixed Q4. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.7%.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 3.3% on average since the latest earnings results.

Supernus Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SUPN)

With a diverse portfolio of eight FDA-approved medications targeting neurological conditions, Supernus Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SUPN) develops and markets treatments for central nervous system disorders including epilepsy, ADHD, Parkinson's disease, and migraine.

Supernus Pharmaceuticals reported revenues of $209.9 million, up 20.5% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 7.5%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS and revenue estimates.

"We made significant progress in 2025 against our strategic objectives, with record total revenues, including strong growth in combined revenues of our growth products, the successful acquisition of Sage Therapeutics, Inc., and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval and launch of ONAPGO for Parkinson's disease," said Jack Khattar, President and CEO of Supernus.

Supernus Pharmaceuticals achieved the biggest analyst estimates beat of the whole group. Investor expectations, however, were likely higher than Wall Street’s published projections, leaving some wishing for even better results (analysts’ consensus estimates are those published by big banks and advisory firms, not the investors who make buy and sell decisions). The stock is down 6.6% since reporting and currently trades at $49.76.

Is now the time to buy Supernus Pharmaceuticals? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q4: Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY)

Founded in 1876 by a Civil War veteran and pharmacist frustrated with the poor quality of medicines, Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) discovers, develops, and manufactures pharmaceutical products for conditions including diabetes, obesity, cancer, immunological disorders, and neurological diseases.

Eli Lilly reported revenues of $19.29 billion, up 42.6% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 7.4%. The business had an exceptional quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and full-year revenue guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations.

Eli Lilly scored the fastest revenue growth among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 11.9% since reporting. It currently trades at $883.81.

Is now the time to buy Eli Lilly? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q4: Corcept (NASDAQ: CORT)

Focusing on the powerful stress hormone that affects everything from metabolism to immune function, Corcept Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CORT) develops and markets medications that modulate cortisol to treat endocrine disorders, cancer, and neurological diseases.

Corcept reported revenues of $202.1 million, up 11.1% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 18.5%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue and EPS estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 25.7% since the results and currently trades at $45.87.

Read our full analysis of Corcept’s results here.

Merck (NYSE: MRK)

With roots dating back to 1891 and a portfolio that includes the blockbuster cancer immunotherapy Keytruda, Merck (NYSE: MRK) develops and sells prescription medicines, vaccines, and animal health products across oncology, infectious diseases, cardiovascular, and other therapeutic areas.

Merck reported revenues of $16.4 billion, up 5% year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 1.8%. Zooming out, it was a slower quarter as it recorded a significant miss of analysts’ full-year EPS and revenue guidance. The stock is down 1.3% since reporting and currently trades at $111.95.

Read our full, actionable report on Merck here, it’s free.

Pfizer (NYSE: PFE)

With roots dating back to 1849 when two German immigrants opened a fine chemicals business in Brooklyn, Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) is a global biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells medicines and vaccines for a wide range of diseases and conditions.

Pfizer reported revenues of $17.56 billion, down 1.2% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 5.5%. Zooming out, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ organic revenue estimates.

The stock is up 1.3% since reporting and currently trades at $27.00.

Read our full, actionable report on Pfizer here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

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