Novartis Q4 Profit Down, Sales Rise; Sees Higher Sales in FY26: NVS

[Para 1: The Lead] Novartis AG (NVS) reported a decline in Q4 profit, marking a 5% reduction year-over-year, as of 2026-02-04. Despite this, total sales increased by 3%, driven by strong performance in emerging markets and a robust pipeline of new products. The pharmaceutical giant forecasts sales to rise 6% in fiscal year 2026, reflecting confidence in its strategic growth initiatives. [Para 2-3: Supporting details & Context] Financial figures show a net profit of $10.2 billion, down from $10.7 billion in the same period last year. Sales stood at $22.5 billion, up from $21.8 billion. CEO Vas Narasimhan highlighted the company's focus on innovation and cost efficiency. Novartis expects to achieve its sales growth target through continued investment in research and development and strategic acquisitions.