GSK plc (NYSE:GSK) reported Q2 FY23 sales of £7.18 billion ($8.97 billion), up 4% Y/Y on the actual and constant exchange rates, in line with the consensus of $8.97 billion.

The results come ahead of the much-anticipated U.S. launch in the autumn of the company's inoculation against the respiratory syncytial virus. The FDA approved the vaccine in May, followed by the European approval last month.

Adjusted EPS of 38.8p ($0.97) increased 12% on AER and 16% on CER, beating the Wall Street estimate of $0.87.

Turnover excluding COVID-19 solutions reached £7.14 billion, up 10% Y/Y (11% at CER).

Vaccines sales increased 18% to £2.02 billion (+15% ex COVID), with Shingrix sales up 20% to £880 million.

Specialty Medicines sales declined 7% to £2.5 billion (+13% ex COVID), with HIV sales up 13% and respiratory/immunology revenues up 16%.

Adjusted operating profit increased 8% (11% at CER) to £2.17 billion.

CEO Emma Walmsley said, "The approval of Arexvy, the world's first RSV vaccine, was an important milestone for us and is at the forefront of a next wave in vaccine innovation for GSK. Completion of the Bellus Health acquisition also strengthened our late-stage respiratory pipeline. Our momentum supports the upgrade we have made to our financial guidance for 2023 and further increases our confidence in delivering longer-term profitable growth for shareholders."

Guidance: GSK expects FY23 turnover to rise by 8%-10%, up from previous guidance for growth of 6% to 8%. 

Meanwhile, adjusted operating profit is expected to increase 11%-13%, from previous guidance of 10%-12%.

GSK expects adjusted earnings per share growth of between 14%-17% versus previous guidance of 12%-15%.

Price Action: GSK shares are down 0.31% at $35.59 on the last check Wednesday.