Life Sciences Stocks’ Q1 Results Diverge as PacBio (PACB) Slumps, West Pharmaceutical (WST) Jumps

A mixed bag of first-quarter 2026 earnings from life sciences tools and services companies sent shares in opposite directions, with Pacific Biosciences (NASDAQ:PACB) falling sharply after missing estimates and West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE:WST) surging on a beat. PacBio reported revenue of $37.18 million, unchanged from a year earlier and 7.1% below consensus, as instrument sales fell short. Shares dropped 6.4% since the report. West Pharmaceutical, by contrast, posted an 8.4% revenue beat with sales of $844.9 million, up 21% year-over-year, lifting its stock 18%. For the 21-stock sector cohort, aggregate revenue exceeded forecasts by 1.2%, though forward guidance was only in line. The group’s shares have averaged a 10.2% gain since results, despite diverging fortunes.