Latest news with #Walmsley
Reuters
5 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
Breakingviews - GSK revenue hole raises chances of risky M&A move
DUBLIN, July 25 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Emma Walmsley, the boss of 57-billion-pound ($77 billion) GSK (GSK.L), opens new tab, has a conspicuously large financial target: generating over 40 billion pounds of revenue by 2031, opens new tab. Right now, she's well behind pace. Given the drugmaker's track record of buying growth, M&A seems like a likely option to make up for lost time. Shareholders will have to be on the lookout for GSK potentially overpaying. Since Walmsley took the helm of the maker of vaccines and HIV treatments in 2017, opens new tab, the company's forward earnings multiple has collapsed from over 12 to less than eight. Spinning off consumer-focused unit Haleon (HLN.L), opens new tab in 2022, opens new tab has only shone a light on the core pharmaceutical group's problems. Analysts currently reckon GSK will rake in just 34 billion pounds of revenue in 2031, according to forecasts gathered by Visible Alpha, which is 15% less than Walmsley's minimum ambition. One reason is that vaccines, which made up nearly a third of sales in 2024, are potentially under threat from U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime sceptic of immunisations. Another concern is that Dolutegravir, GSK's star HIV treatment which produced nearly 20% of the company's 31 billion pounds of revenue last year, will lose some patent protection from 2028 in the key U.S. market. Walmsley has claimed that she can replenish the shortfall with future sales from many of the company's 14, opens new tab promising drugs under development. But despite GSK delivering 13 positive late-stage drug trials last year, investors seem more focused on the disappointments. Last week, the group's shares fell nearly 5% after its blood cancer medication Blenrep faced a regulatory setback on safety concerns in the U.S. That all explains the appeal of M&A. Since spinning off Haleon, Walmsley has committed over 6 billion pounds to companies that specialise in everything from vaccines to treatments for cancer, lung and liver disorders. She has more firepower. The company will end 2025 with 12.9 billion pounds of net debt, analysts reckon, which is not much more than the average forecast for 11 billion pounds of EBITDA this year, based on estimates collated by Visible Alpha. One common rule of thumb is that public-market investors only start getting antsy when leverage approaches 3 times EBITDA, implying that Walmsley has 20 billion pounds of headroom for M&A. There are several possible targets. GSK could buy out the 89% of $1.3-billion Wave Life Sciences (WVE.O), opens new tab that it doesn't already own. Another option might be $4 billion obesity drug-focused biotech Viking Therapeutics (VKTX.O), opens new tab, which could bring a foothold in a red-hot market. The risk, however, is that any sellers see GSK as a desperate bidder, leading to a higher asking price. Paying over the odds simply to fill a revenue hole would destroy shareholder value, but it wouldn't be unprecedented in the pharma sector. In GSK's case, it would make an already unhealthy valuation even sicklier. Walmsley's investors will be on high alert. Follow Aimee Donnellan on LinkedIn, opens new tab.
BBC News
20 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Late Lino drop goal sees Wakefield beat rivals Leeds
Betfred Super LeagueWakefield (8) 15Tries: Walmsley, Storton Goals: Jowitt (3), LinoLeeds (8) 14Tries: Lisone, O'Connor Goals: Connor (2), Sinfield Mason Lino's dramatic last-play drop goal saw Wakefield boost their Super League play-off chances as they narrowly beat Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos by a single point at a sold-out Belle looked set for victory on a tense evening after Jarrod O'Connor's late try, but Matty Storton ran over to level the scores with minutes the game seemingly heading for a golden point period, Brodie Clark narrowly missed a drop goal attempt for Leeds, before Lino, superb all evening, kicked from distance to snatch victory for result takes Daryll Powell's side into the top six, while Leeds missed out on a chance to move level on points with second-placed to follow. Wakefield: Jowitt, Walmsley, Hall, Pratt, Myers, Trueman, Lino, McMeeken, Smith, Faatili, Griffin, Scott, PittsInterchanges: Nikotemo, Atoni, Storton, RourkeLeeds: Miller, Hall, Handley, Newman, Edgell, Croft, Connor, Palasia, O'Connor, Jenkins, McDonnell, Bentley, WatkinsInterchanges: Sinfield, Lisone, Cassell, LittlewoodReferee: Chris Kendall
Scoop
5 days ago
- Sport
- Scoop
Defensive Effort Earns Tactix Elimination Final Victory
Press Release – ANZ Premiership A storming fourth quarter has propelled the VIP Frames and Trusses Tactix into their third ANZ Premiership Grand Final as they came from behind to beat Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse in the Elimination Final. The Tactix kept their clean sheet at Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch for the season with a 57-52 win over the Pulse on Sunday night, sending them into the Grand Final where they will meet the Mystics in Auckland in seven days. They needed to rally a huge defensive effort in the last super shot period of play as the Pulse, renowned for their accuracy with two-pointers, netted four super shots in an attempt to steal back the lead. But backed by their home crowd and some key gains from goal defence Karin Burger, the Tactix held their composure to push them through to the Grand Final – a first for new coach Donna Wilkins. It was a mix of the collective defensive pressure through the court and the growing confidence to let the ball go into Ellie Bird, over the top of the long reach of Kelly Jackson, ignited the Tactix late in the third spell and the momentum carried through to the deciding quarter as the hosts started to take control of the match. In contrast, the easy ball that had earlier gone into Pulse shooter Amelia Walmsley dried up for the visitors who found themselves facing a nine-goal deficit midway through the last spell. The Tactix had earlier sprung a surprise in their starting line-up with Burger moving out to the wing and Paris Lokotui taking her spot alongside Jane Watson in the defensive circle. But it was the familiar frontline of Holly Mather, Erikana Pedersen – playing her 100th match for the Tactix – and Te Paea Selby-Rickit at goal attack while Bird got the nod ahead of Martina Salmon at goal shooter. Missing three of their regular starters, including Parris Mason (injury), Whitney Souness and Fa'amu Ioane on the bench, the Pulse went with the experience of Gabi Simpson at centre, Maddy Gordon on the wing and Ainsleyana Puleiata at wing defence while Laura Balmer again teamed with Kelly Jackson in the defensive circle with Amelia Walmsley and Tiana Metuarau pairing up in the shooting circle. With their seasons on the line, each side kept their nerves buried scoring from their centre passes and turnovers from either side kept the scoreline even early in the stanza. Finding the tall timber at either end of the court was aim of both teams – the Tactix moving the ball quickly around the circle while the Pulse looked for the high ball into Walmsley – success coming from the two camps with the scores locked at 5-5. The Tactix' defensive unit attempted to attack the ball outside of the circle, shutting down options into Walmsley, but the quick release from Tiana Metuarau into her shooter gave the visitors the edge in a frenetic first quarter. Souness and Ioane were injected into the match, heading into the super shot period, and another gain to the Pulse gave them a 14-10 advantage at the break. Metuarau attempted her first goal of the game, and landed it, to keep her side ahead on the resumption of play but the Tactix returned to the court with intent, looking to close the four-goal buffer. The struggles up front however returned to the Tactix play, with no easy entry into the shooting circle and an intercept from Jackson gave the visitors a six-goal lead midway through the second quarter. Gordon dictated the tempo up front for the Pulse, hitting the circle edge and firing ball into Walmsley prompting a time-out from the Tactix to switch the defensive line with Burger moving to goal defence and Lokotui to the wing. Five goals remained the difference heading into the second super shot period as the Pulse brought two-point specialist Amorangi Malesala into the match, but it was the Tactix who netted the first long bomb of the game with Selby-Rickit helping to close the gap to 26-30 on the buzzer for halftime. Four quick goals to the Pulse at the start of the second half changed momentum and every goal the hosts were able to net was hard earned as the intensity increased. The midcourt defensive efforts from the Tactix brought them back into the match with two turnovers allowing the hosts to cut the deficit to just two, warming up the red-and-black fans in the stands. Patience with ball in hand was needed and the deflections started to mount for the Tactix as they levelled the scores with two minutes left in the spell, going into the turn with a 41-40 lead. The ANZ Premiership Grand Final between the defending champion Mystics and Tactix will be played at The Trusts Arena in Auckland on 27 July, starting at 4pm.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Sport
- Scoop
Defensive Effort Earns Tactix Elimination Final Victory
A storming fourth quarter has propelled the VIP Frames and Trusses Tactix into their third ANZ Premiership Grand Final as they came from behind to beat Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse in the Elimination Final. The Tactix kept their clean sheet at Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch for the season with a 57-52 win over the Pulse on Sunday night, sending them into the Grand Final where they will meet the Mystics in Auckland in seven days. They needed to rally a huge defensive effort in the last super shot period of play as the Pulse, renowned for their accuracy with two-pointers, netted four super shots in an attempt to steal back the lead. But backed by their home crowd and some key gains from goal defence Karin Burger, the Tactix held their composure to push them through to the Grand Final – a first for new coach Donna Wilkins. It was a mix of the collective defensive pressure through the court and the growing confidence to let the ball go into Ellie Bird, over the top of the long reach of Kelly Jackson, ignited the Tactix late in the third spell and the momentum carried through to the deciding quarter as the hosts started to take control of the match. In contrast, the easy ball that had earlier gone into Pulse shooter Amelia Walmsley dried up for the visitors who found themselves facing a nine-goal deficit midway through the last spell. The Tactix had earlier sprung a surprise in their starting line-up with Burger moving out to the wing and Paris Lokotui taking her spot alongside Jane Watson in the defensive circle. But it was the familiar frontline of Holly Mather, Erikana Pedersen – playing her 100th match for the Tactix – and Te Paea Selby-Rickit at goal attack while Bird got the nod ahead of Martina Salmon at goal shooter. Missing three of their regular starters, including Parris Mason (injury), Whitney Souness and Fa'amu Ioane on the bench, the Pulse went with the experience of Gabi Simpson at centre, Maddy Gordon on the wing and Ainsleyana Puleiata at wing defence while Laura Balmer again teamed with Kelly Jackson in the defensive circle with Amelia Walmsley and Tiana Metuarau pairing up in the shooting circle. With their seasons on the line, each side kept their nerves buried scoring from their centre passes and turnovers from either side kept the scoreline even early in the stanza. Finding the tall timber at either end of the court was aim of both teams – the Tactix moving the ball quickly around the circle while the Pulse looked for the high ball into Walmsley – success coming from the two camps with the scores locked at 5-5. The Tactix' defensive unit attempted to attack the ball outside of the circle, shutting down options into Walmsley, but the quick release from Tiana Metuarau into her shooter gave the visitors the edge in a frenetic first quarter. Souness and Ioane were injected into the match, heading into the super shot period, and another gain to the Pulse gave them a 14-10 advantage at the break. Metuarau attempted her first goal of the game, and landed it, to keep her side ahead on the resumption of play but the Tactix returned to the court with intent, looking to close the four-goal buffer. The struggles up front however returned to the Tactix play, with no easy entry into the shooting circle and an intercept from Jackson gave the visitors a six-goal lead midway through the second quarter. Gordon dictated the tempo up front for the Pulse, hitting the circle edge and firing ball into Walmsley prompting a time-out from the Tactix to switch the defensive line with Burger moving to goal defence and Lokotui to the wing. Five goals remained the difference heading into the second super shot period as the Pulse brought two-point specialist Amorangi Malesala into the match, but it was the Tactix who netted the first long bomb of the game with Selby-Rickit helping to close the gap to 26-30 on the buzzer for halftime. Four quick goals to the Pulse at the start of the second half changed momentum and every goal the hosts were able to net was hard earned as the intensity increased. The midcourt defensive efforts from the Tactix brought them back into the match with two turnovers allowing the hosts to cut the deficit to just two, warming up the red-and-black fans in the stands. Patience with ball in hand was needed and the deflections started to mount for the Tactix as they levelled the scores with two minutes left in the spell, going into the turn with a 41-40 lead. The ANZ Premiership Grand Final between the defending champion Mystics and Tactix will be played at The Trusts Arena in Auckland on 27 July, starting at 4pm.
Scoop
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Pulse Seal Third Spot With Last-Gasp Win
12 July Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse confirmed their spot in next weekend's Elimination Final after nailing a last-gasp super shot and with it a 56-54 win over AVIS Magic in Tauranga on Saturday. With 48 seconds left on the clock and trailing by one, Pulse captain Kelly Jackson snared a vital intercept, helping the visitors to level the scores while also enjoying the next centre pass. Getting the ball forward and into Amorangi Malesala's hands, the super shot specialist made no mistake when slotting the all-important winner with three seconds remaining. With nothing riding on the match for the Magic, playing for pride and to honour Georgia Tong's last professional match, the home side delivered a memorable second half to keep the Pulse's Finals Series involvement on tenterhooks. Coming into the last 15 minutes with the scores level, the Magic had their noses in front for much of that time as the thrilling contest kept everyone of the edge of their seats but ultimately had the match stolen from them in the dying seconds. The Magic left their best until last in a disappointing season while the Pulse live to fight another day. Respective shooters, Saviour Tui with 38 from 38 and Amelia Walmsley 43/43 were standout performers in a tense and pressure-stacked outing. The opening stanza produced the tightest of contests in a goal-for-goal stand-off. The Magic employing a shorter style of game where they impressed with their ball retention while the Pulse found success when looking for the long-range option on attack. Both sets of shooters returned impressive figures as possession was evenly-matched, the lead changing hands a couple of times before two Ameliaranne Ekenasio super shots gave the home side a 17-15 lead at the end of a high-scoring first quarter. Coinciding with the injection of Whitney Souness, at centre, and Fa'amu Ioane, wing defence, both missing the previous two matches through concussion and illness, respectively, the Pulse clicked up a gear. With Tiana Metuarau, Maddy Gordon and Souness providing seamless service to Walmsley while lifting their efforts on defence, the visitors bustled the Magic into error. Jackson and jack-of-all trades Gabi Simpson, at goal defence, also did a fine job of restricting the Magic's strong shooting duo. An 8-3 run by the Pulse prompted a tactical timeout for the home side who produced a fleeting response during which Tong produced several of her trademark athletic endeavours in getting hand to ball while Claire O'Brien was a busy contributor in the midcourt. The Magic couldn't get their two-shot working in this phase, the Pulse picking up the crumbs, building their defensive pressure and nailing their opportunities with Walmsley slotting 31 from 31 for the half to give the visitors a handy 32-27 lead at the main break. The Magic ensured the contest would remain on a knife-edge when delivering a resurgent and thrilling third stanza. Tension levels rose dramatically in the heat of battle as the home side fought every inch of the way. The connection between shooters Tui and Ekenasio provided the sparkle and motivation under the hoop with their movement and accuracy. Defensively, the home side added the squeeze at the Pulse's attacking end with Erana Mikaere prominent as errors crept in for the visitors. The feeling from both sides was evident, a sell-out home crowd urging the Magic all the way as they hit the lead with five minutes of the quarter remaining. A Malesala two-pointer gave the lead back to the Pulse by a tenuous single goal, a furious goal-for-goal exchange in the closing minutes leaving the game wide open when the scores were locked 43-all at the last turn.
