Merck KGaA Lifts Earnings Forecast Amid Life Science Unit Growth

Germany's Merck KGaA has raised its earnings forecast for 2026 due to continued growth in its Life Science and Electronics units. The company reported a quarterly adjusted EBITDA of €1.60 billion, up 9.4% from the same period last year, exceeding analyst expectations of €1.53 billion. This increase comes after Merck boosted its Life Science unit with an $11.3 billion deal to acquire Bio-Techne in June.

The diversified family-controlled group expects earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), adjusted for special items, to rise to between €5.9 billion and €6.3 billion ($6.8-7.3 billion) for 2026, up from its previous forecast of €5.7 billion to €6.1 billion.

Merk's acquisition of Bio-Techne is expected to add 'additional differentiated capabilities across research, bioprocessing and advanced therapeutics', according to the company.