Zoetis Inc. (ZTS) Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 delivered modest topline growth and solid profitability: revenue $2.40B (+1% y/y; +4% organic operational), GAAP diluted EPS $1.63, and adjusted diluted EPS $1.70; adjusted net income +9% organic operational, with gross margin expansion supported by price and mix .
- Versus S&P Global consensus, EPS beat while revenue was roughly in line/slightly below: adj/“primary” EPS $1.70 vs $1.62 consensus (beat), revenue $2.400B vs $2.406B consensus (slight miss)* .
- FY25 outlook was trimmed on revenue/margins and narrowed for adjusted net income growth; adjusted EPS range maintained at $6.30–$6.40, reflecting cost discipline and lower effective tax rate (~20.5%) .
- Operational drivers: International grew 6% organic with strength in Simparica and derm; livestock +8–10% organic; U.S. companion animal flat amid softer therapeutic visits, derm competition, and OA mAb headwinds (Librela/Solensia) that management says are stabilizing into 2026 .
- Near‑term catalysts: Canadian approval of Lenivia (3‑month canine OA mAb), EU approval of Portela (3‑month feline OA mAb), U.S. conditional approval of Dectomax‑CA1 for screwworm, and a U.S. commercial realignment; innovation webcast on Dec 2 to update pipeline and strategy .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Adjusted gross margin expanded ~90 bps y/y to 71.6% on price and mix; adjusted opex up just ~1% operational, supporting adjusted EPS growth despite mixed volumes .
- International segment +6% organic operational revenue; Simparica franchise strong globally (International Simparica revenue $93M, +22% op; Trio $41M, +32% op), with derm growth (+7% op) offsetting OA pressure .
- Livestock momentum: +8–10% organic operational growth, broad‑based across species; U.S. livestock +14% organic operational on improved ceftiofur supply and vaccine strength .
Management quote: “We reported 4% organic operational revenue growth and 9% growth in adjusted net income… we achieved significant regulatory milestones… and are well positioned to… deliver sustainable growth and value” — CEO Kristin Peck .
What Went Wrong
- OA pain franchise declined 11% operationally (global), with Librela facing perception issues amplified via social media in primarily English‑speaking markets; U.S. Librela down 26% to $41M; Solensia $17M (‑4%) .
- U.S. therapeutic visits were down for three consecutive quarters, pressuring new patient starts in derm and OA; distributor inventory normalized by quarter‑end but remains below the low end of historical range .
- Derm competition led to promotional pressure and “modest share loss” in U.S. derm; U.S. derm sales $306M grew just 1% with clinic softness, partially offset by Apoquel Chewable and retail strength .
Financial Results
Headline Metrics by Period (oldest → newest)
Q3 2025 Actual vs S&P Global Consensus
*Values retrieved from S&P Global.
Segment & Species Revenue (Q3 2025 vs Q3 2024)
Selected Franchise KPIs (Q3 2025)
Guidance Changes
Rationale: Management cited macro/operational headwinds in H2 (U.S. therapeutic visits, competitive promotions), while maintaining adj EPS via cost discipline and tax rate reduction .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- CEO Kristin Peck: “While growth moderated in the third quarter in line with our expectations, we achieved significant regulatory milestones… With our manufacturing excellence, strong customer relationships and a robust pipeline, we are well positioned… to deliver sustainable growth and value” .
- CFO Wetteny Joseph: “Adjusted gross margins of 71.6% grew 90 basis points… driven by the favorable impact of our MFA divestiture as well as benefits from price… Adjusted operating expense increased by a modest 1% operationally” .
- On OA mAbs: “Our performance… has been affected by misperceptions amplified on social media… we are executing a focused multi‑pronged strategy to return Librela to growth… encouraged by recent trends showing signs of stabilization” — CEO .
- On competition: “These [derm] impacts are typically short‑lived… we remain confident in the value our dermatology portfolio provides” — CFO .
- On 2026: “We would expect a return to [Librela] growth in 2026… livestock has continued to demonstrate strength for us” — CFO .
Q&A Highlights
- Guidance recalibration: Analysts pressed on why outlook changed after Q2 raise; management cited therapeutic visit declines, competitive promotions, and strong comps; emphasized these are near‑term dynamics and not read‑through to 2026 .
- Derm competition: Management sees limited patient share gains by competitors; launch promotions are expected to be short‑lived; U.S. Merck timing uncertain; European competitor launches factored into Q4 .
- OA mAb launch learning: For Lenivia/Portela, Zoetis plans specialist‑led early experience, deeper education, and Phase 4 data to reinforce benefit‑risk; expects launches to expand markets and support compliance in 2026 .
- Channel inventory: Distributor inventory normalized by quarter‑end but remains below low end of historical range; alternative channels (retail/home delivery) growing strongly .
Estimates Context
- Q3 2025: EPS beat and revenue roughly in line/slightly below consensus — Primary/adjusted EPS $1.70 vs $1.6216 consensus; revenue $2.400B vs $2.405B consensus; 12 EPS and 10 revenue estimate contributors* .
- Implications: Lowered revenue guidance and higher adjusted cost of sales percentage may drive modest outer‑year revenue and margin estimate trims; adjusted EPS range maintained, aided by lower effective tax rate (20.5%), which may cushion EPS estimates .
*Values retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- EPS resilience amid topline moderation: Gross margin expansion and opex discipline enabled an EPS beat despite OA and U.S. clinic headwinds; FY25 adj EPS range intact at $6.30–$6.40 .
- Near‑term pressure concentrated in U.S. companion animal: Softer therapeutic visits and promotional intensity weighed on derm and OA; management expects promotions to be transient and OA to stabilize into 2026 .
- Structural growth drivers remain intact: International strength, robust Simparica growth ex‑U.S., and durable livestock performance support multi‑year growth .
- Pipeline/regulatory momentum: Lenivia (canine OA, q3‑month) and Portela (feline OA, q3‑month) approvals position ZTS for 2026 protruding launches in 2026, expanding the OA market and improving compliance .
- Execution levers: U.S. field realignment and diagnostics expansion (AI‑enabled Vetscan Opticell) provide incremental growth and efficiency vectors .
- Trading setup: Stock reaction likely balances an EPS beat and pipeline wins against a revenue trim and U.S. macro/competitive headwinds; watch Dec 2 innovation webcast and any data on OA stabilization/derm competitive intensity as near‑term catalysts .
Appendices
Additional Relevant Press Releases (Q3 2025 timeframe)
- Health Canada approval of Lenivia (izenivetmab): first long‑acting (3‑month) canine OA mAb; launch expected 2026 in Canada .
- EU marketing authorization for Portela (relfovetmab): first 3‑month feline OA mAb; EU commercial availability anticipated in 2026 .
- U.S. conditional approval for Dectomax‑CA1 injectable for New World screwworm in cattle .
- Q4 2025 dividend declared at $0.50 per share .
Primary Source Documents
- Q3 2025 8‑K and Exhibit 99.1: revenue, EPS, segment tables, and guidance .
- Q3 2025 press release: headline metrics, segment details, and guidance tables .
- Q3 2025 earnings call transcript: margin/opex commentary, franchise KPIs, macro/competition, and Q&A .
- Prior quarters: Q2 2025 press (raised guidance; revenue/EPS) ; Q1 2025 press (9% organic revenue growth; initial guidance updates) .