06:31 AM EDT, 07/18/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Novartis ( NVS ) reported Q2 core earnings Thursday of $1.97 per diluted share, up from $1.67 a year earlier.

Four analysts polled by Capital IQ expected $1.86.

Net sales for the quarter ended June 30 was $12.51 billion, up from $11.44 billion a year earlier.

Analysts surveyed by Capital IQ expected $12.32 billion.

The biopharmaceutical firm said it now expects 2024 core operating income growth in the mid- to high teens, up from previous projections of low to double-digit teens, and unchanged sales growth in the single to low double digits.

Shares of the company were down more than 1% in recent Thursday premarket activity.

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