MI
Moderna, Inc. (MRNA)·Q2 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q2 2025 revenues were $0.142B with GAAP EPS of $(2.13), beating Wall Street on both revenue and EPS; revenue came in ~26% above consensus ($112.6M*) and EPS was ~$0.87 better than consensus (−$2.998*) [Q2 2025 estimates*].
- Guidance was recalibrated: 2025 revenue range lowered to $1.5–$2.2B (from $1.5–$2.5B) due to UK shipment timing; GAAP OpEx reduced by ~$400M to $5.9–$6.1B, R&D cut to $3.6–$3.8B, capex lowered to ~$0.3B; year-end cash reiterated at ~$6B .
- Operational discipline showed up with double‑digit YoY declines in R&D and SG&A; cash and investments ended the quarter at $7.5B, down from $8.4B in Q1, reflecting operating losses .
- Strategic catalysts: three recent U.S. FDA approvals (mNEXSPIKE, expanded Spikevax pediatric, mRESVIA expansion) and positive Phase 3 flu efficacy (26.6% relative vaccine efficacy vs standard dose), supporting potential filings and combo vaccine path .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Strong regulatory momentum with three U.S. FDA approvals (mNEXSPIKE for 65+ and 12–64 with risk, Spikevax pediatric sBLA 6 months–11 years at risk, RSV label expansion to 18–59 high risk) supporting future commercialization .
- Positive Phase 3 flu efficacy: mRNA‑1010 demonstrated 26.6% superior relative vaccine efficacy vs licensed standard‑dose comparator in adults 50+; strong across strains and age subgroups; filing preparations underway .
- Cost discipline intensified: 2025 GAAP OpEx cut by ~$400M; R&D down 43% YoY and SG&A down 14% YoY in Q2, driven by trial wind‑downs, manufacturing efficiencies, and broad-based reductions .
- Management quote: “We continue to operate with financial discipline and are improving expected annual operating expenses in 2025 by approximately $400 million” – Stéphane Bancel .
What Went Wrong
- Revenue seasonality and COVID demand normalization drove second‑quarter softness: total revenue down 41% YoY to $0.142B; net product sales $0.114B .
- Cost of sales intensity: CoS was $119M, 105% of net product sales, up from 62% in Q2 2024, due to lower sales volume; included $38M inventory write‑downs and $52M unutilized capacity/wind-down costs .
- Guidance high end lowered by $300M on UK delivery timing shift to Q1 2026; highlights tender timing and contracting risk amid evolving seasonal patterns .
Financial Results
Values retrieved from S&P Global for consensus metrics marked with *.
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “Today, we are updating our 2025 financial framework, reducing the high end of this year's expected revenue range by $300 million due to the timing of shipments… improving expected annual operating expenses in 2025 by approximately $400 million.” – Stéphane Bancel, CEO .
- “Net product sales were $114 million… CoS represented 105% of net product sales… R&D expenses were $700 million, down 43%… SG&A was $230 million, down 14%.” – Jamey Mock, CFO .
- “We rolled out GPT Enterprise in 2024… 100% of our knowledge workers are active daily users of ChatGPT… in 2025 we enhanced our AI tools to allow for deep research capabilities.” – Stéphane Bancel .
- “The change [to revenue guidance] is primarily due to a timing shift of UK COVID shipments… the timing shift does not impact the total value of our long‑term multi‑year contract.” – Jamey Mock .
Q&A Highlights
- CMV Phase 3 analysis: Company added powered secondary endpoints (e.g., virologic measures, shedding) while blinded; aiming for final analysis in fall 2025; success threshold aligned to ~49% VE lower bound for primary endpoint; hierarchy to pass alpha if primary met .
- COVID fall demand: Spring booster volumes were only slightly down; 65+ down 1–2% vs prior year; fall outcomes hinge on ACIP guidance and early season uptake .
- Pricing/contracting: U.S. COVID product sales guidance $1.0–$1.5B embeds variability for pricing/competition; contracting largely complete; within guided range .
- Flu+COVID combo: Sequencing likely with flu monotherapy first in U.S.; parallel paths possible in Europe via file amendment with flu efficacy data .
- Cost actions and headcount: ~10% workforce reduction; focus on R&D trial wind‑downs, manufacturing efficiencies, procurement savings; continued hiring in priority roles .
Estimates Context
- Q2 2025 delivered a clean beat: revenue $142M vs $112.6M consensus*, driven by stronger‑than‑expected U.S. spring booster; EPS −$2.13 vs −$2.998 consensus*, aided by lower R&D and SG&A YoY .
- Forward setup: 2H revenue mix 40–50% in Q3 with balance in Q4, contingent on regulatory approvals and shipping days; UK shift pushes ~$300M into Q1 2026 .
- Street likely to adjust models: lower FY25 revenue high end and reduced FY25 R&D/capex imply improved cash burn trajectory; potential flu efficacy and CMV readouts are the key swing factors for 2026–2027 ramp .
Values retrieved from S&P Global for consensus metrics.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Q2 beat on revenue and EPS despite seasonal headwinds; operating discipline is the near‑term support for the equity while commercialization scales beyond COVID [Q2 2025 estimates*].
- Guidance reset is timing‑driven (UK shipments) rather than demand‑driven; watch 2H execution and U.S. share/pricing posture through retail channels .
- Cost trajectory is improving: FY25 GAAP OpEx cut by ~$400M; R&D/SG&A declines YoY; path to ~$4.2B cash cost by 2027 and cash breakeven in 2028 underpins downside protection .
- Regulatory catalysts: positive flu efficacy supports U.S. filing and strengthens combo case; three recent FDA approvals broaden addressable market ahead of the fall season .
- Pipeline inflection potential: CMV final readout in fall could redefine long‑term value; norovirus efficacy timing dependent on case accrual; oncology programs (Intismeran, mRNA‑4359) gaining momentum with randomized trials .
- Near‑term trading lens: watch ACIP guidance, early season vaccination data (late Q3), and flu filing updates; any clarity on CMV VE and combo filing approach could be stock catalysts .
- Legal backdrop: favorable UK Court of Appeal decision on EP949 against Pfizer/BioNTech adds confidence in IP position .
Notes:
- Consensus/estimates marked with * are values retrieved from S&P Global.
- Source citations correspond to company documents and the Q2 2025 earnings call transcript.
References:
- Q2 2025 8‑K 2.02 press release and exhibits .
- Q2 2025 earnings call transcript .
- Q1 2025 8‑K and call .
- Q4 2024 8‑K .