Novartis AG NVS reported second-quarter 2017 core earnings of $1.22 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.16 but the recorded figure was a penny lower than the year-ago figure of $1.23.

Revenues declined 2% to $12.2 billion as volume growth was offset by the negative impact of generic competition and pricing but beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $12.1 billion

A look at Novartis’ share price movement in the last three months shows that the stock outperformed the Zacks classified Large Cap Pharma industry. Its shares have rallied 14.5% compared with the 7.2% gain recorded by the industry.

All growth rates mentioned below are on a year-over-year basis and at constant exchange rates.

The Quarter in Detail

Novartis operates under three segments: Innovative Medicines (Pharmaceuticals), Alcon (Ophthalmology unit) and Sandoz (Generics).

The Innovative Medicines division recorded sales of $8.3 billion, up 1%. Generic competition and pricing pressure impacted sales at the segment, primarily due to the entry of generics for Gleevec in the U.S and Europe. Nevertheless, growth products – Cosentyx, Entresto, Promacta/Revolade, Jakavi, Tafinlar + Mekinist and Gilenya boosted sales.

Psoriasis Cosentyx sales surged 90% on the back of strong growth in its three approved indications while Entresto too had solid quarter as sales benefited from continued access improvements, expansion of sales force in the U.S and reimbursement in Europe. Oncology franchise grew 9% driven mainly by Promacta/Revolade, Jakavi, Tafinlar + Mekinist.

Sales at the Sandoz division were $2.5 billion, down 4% as volume growth was offset by price erosion mainly in the U.S. Sales in the U.S. declined 15% due to pricing pressure in retail generics and prior year launch timing. Biopharmaceuticals sales grew 6% to $260 million mainly driven by Zarxio in the U.S.

Sales at the Alcon division were $1.5 billion, up 3%. Surgical sales increased 3% driven by growth in cataract consumables and vitreoretinal, intraocular lenses returning to growth globally. Vision Care sales were up 2% fuelled by the continued double-digit growth of Dailies Total1.

2017 Outlook Reiterated

Novartis expects net sales to be broadly in line with the 2016 levels after including the impact of continued genericization of Gleevec/Glivec in the U.S. and Europe. Management had earlier estimated the impact of generic competition on sales to be approximately $2.5 billion in 2017.

Pipeline Update

Novartis’ pipeline candidates’ progress has been encouraging. The oncology portfolio continues to gain traction. Breast cancer drug Kisqali received a positive CHMP opinion as a first-line option for HR+/HER2- advanced or metastatic breast cancer in combination with any aromatase inhibitor in Europe. The drug is already approved in the U.S. The company also received FDA approval of Rydapt for the treatment of newly diagnosed FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and three types of systemic mastocytosis. In addition, Zykadia received FDA and EMA approval for first line use in ALK-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) while Tafinlar + Mekinist received FDA approval for treatment of BRAF V600E mutant metastatic NSCLC.