Hims & Hers Health (HIMS) & Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO): Two Weight-Loss Pill Players Just Got Punished for Growing Fast

Hims & Hers Health (HIMS) and Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) stocks dropped despite both companies reporting robust financials for the second quarter. HIMS' shares fell 2% on Tuesday after the company announced a 38% revenue increase to $753.2 million, surpassing expectations of $699 million. Novo Nordisk's shares dropped about 6% following a 6% increase in annual guidance.

Both firms are competing in the rapidly expanding GLP-1 pill market, and investors penalized their stocks due to rising costs eating into profits that rapid growth was supposed to generate. HIMS' subscriber count grew by 19% to 2.89 million, and monthly revenue per subscriber increased by 21% to $92. The company raised its full-year revenue outlook to $3.1 billion to $3.3 billion and third-quarter guidance of $880 million to $900 million, which both exceed expectations.

Nonetheless, HIMS reported a significant net loss of $127.9 million, up from a $43.5 million profit a year prior, and its gross margin declined for the fourth consecutive quarter due to increased costs associated with branded GLP-1 drugs and international expansion. CFO Yemi Okupe stated that margins will likely stay below historical levels moving forward.

The company is also facing a potential FTC lawsuit over alleged misuse of user data, which it denies. Novo Nordisk's guidance update was technically an improvement, with adjusted sales and operating profit now expected to be down 6% to flat, compared to a prior range of down 4% to 12%. Wegovy pill sales reached 3.22 billion kroner, which is less than the 3.33 billion kroner analysts anticipated.

Novo Nordisk's guidance also highlighted a potential sales decline in its US business due to heightened competition and lower realized prices resulting from its pricing agreement with the Trump administration. Hedge funds hold a modest position in both HIMS and NVO stocks, with HIMS being favorably viewed more often.