CLAIM #48344 · Pfizer Inc (PFE) · 2023Q4 earnings call · Jan 30, 2024 · due Jan 30, 2026
“And then from a progression standpoint, yes, you can think about this as a gradual steady improvement story over the next several periods.”
David Denton · CFO
In context
“a gradual process versus a snapback? Is that fair? And I guess, the bigger picture question I was asking is just how do we think about reasonable longer-term margins, maybe not giving specific time lines, but can we think about kind of like mid- to high 30% operating margins as still a reasonable target for Pfizer? Or just kind of factoring in some of the dynamics we're seeing now, do we need to kind of rethink where margins can go over time? David Denton: No, I think you're absolutely correct. Mid- to high 30s is a reasonable target for us, with a slight caveat in the sense that the vaccine program, Comirnaty, has a shared, as you know, gross margin level with our partner. And so that’s dampening to gross margins and operating profit. So I’ll say, slightly mix adjusted for that product. And then from a progression standpoint, yes, you can think about this as a gradual steady improvement story over the next several periods. Operator: Our next question comes from Rajesh Kumar with HSBC. Rajesh Kumar: Just on the medium-term margin profile. Thank you for the color you've provided. If you think about the growth aspirations you have, does that require you sacrificing some of the margins? So if you were to say, at the top end of your growth profile would we be looking at mid-30s gross margin or lower? Or what is the balance there? And the second one, you briefly touched on your capital allocation priorities earlier. Obviously, cost cutting and deleveraging is a priority for 2024. In the medium term, which are the therapy areas where you would deploy more capital after 2024 deleveraging exercise done? Albert Bourla: David, why don't you take that? David Denton: Yes. So maybe on the margin discussion, obviously, wh”
Verify independently
SEC filings for PFE ↗ · Claim quote is verbatim from the 2023Q4 earnings call.