Schering-Plough effects mask Merck & Co's underlying profit growth
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
Merck & Co saw its net profit attributable to the company tumble from $1.43 billion to $299 million in the first full quarter following the closure of its merger with Schering-Plough. However, when purchase accounting, restructuring and merger-related costs are stripped out, net profit stood at $2.61 billion. EPS fell from $0.67 to $0.09, although when adjusted the figure was $0.83, up from $0.74 a year before.