Shire's 2015 results beat expectations

Ireland-headquartered Shire (LSE: SHPL) posted fourth quarter 2015 non-generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) earnings per share of $2.97, up 13%, on revenue up 9% to $1.72 billion, both beating analysts' consensus of $2.87 and $1.70 billion, respectively. The firm’s shares rose 2.75% to £36.66 following the announcement this morning.

For full-year 2015, Shire generated revenues of $6.4 billion, up 7% compared with 2014, or up 11% on a currency adjusted basis. EPS was 10% higher (+14% currency adjusted) at $11.68. Analysts had expected, on average, revenues of $6.31 billion and EPS of $11.40.

However net profits were down sharply at $1.3 billion from $3.4 billion in 2014, when Shire benefited from a $1.6 billion break-up fee, when AbbVie pulled out of its tax-inversion aimed takeover of Shire.