Q4 profit and sales figures beat forecasts
2023 guidance demonstrates improved momentumanalyst
Shares have lagged rivals since 2020
Some analysts raise concerns about company39;s pipeline

Feb 1 Reuters GSK on Wednesday beat fourthquarter profit and sales forecasts helped by sales of its blockbuster shingles vaccine Shingrix and unveiled an upbeat forecast for 2023.

The positive outlook and strong Q4 results are the latest endorsement of chief executive Emma Walmsey39;s spinoff last year of consumer business Haleon.

That came after years of underperformance relative to its peers and largely missing out on the lucrative market for COVID19 vaccines.

On Wednesday, the company reported adjusted fourth quarter profit of 25.8 pence per share on sales of about 7.4 billion pounds 9.11 billion.

That beat the 21.2 pence per share on sales of about 7.1 billion pounds expected by analysts in a companycompiled consensus.

Shingrix generated 769 million pounds in the quarter ended Dec. 31, topping the 748 million in the GSKcompiled consensus estimates. GSK39;s turnover was also helped by betterthanexpected sales of its HIV and respiratory treatments.

At 0900 GMT, GSK shares were up 0.4 outperforming the FTSE 100 which was up 0.3.

Having survived a protracted revolt by activist investors Elliott and Bluebell, GSK39;s prospects were boosted in 2022 by clinical trial success for a potential blockbuster vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus RSV a leading cause of pneumonia in…