NASDAQ$LGND

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated · Q4 2025 earnings

Q4 2025 earnings · · Before market open · Investor relations

Briefing

Ligand reported strong fourth quarter 2025 results with significant royalty-driven revenue growth and a return to GAAP profitability.

Ligand generated total revenues and income of 59666000 in Q4 2025, up 39% year-over-year, driven by a 45% increase in royalties, resulting in GAAP net income of 44784000 and adjusted net income of 42663000.

  • Total revenues and income increased 39% year-over-year to 59666000.
  • Royalty revenue grew 45% year-over-year to 50529000.
  • GAAP net income was 44784000 compared to a net loss in the prior year period.
  • Adjusted diluted EPS was 2.02 for the quarter.

Headline financials

Total Revenue

$59.7M

Previous: $42.8M+39.4%
EPS (adj)

$2.02

Previous: $1.27+59.1%
Royalty Revenue Growth

45.0%

No prior period
Total Revenue Growth

39.0%

No prior period
Net Income

$44.8M

Previous: -$31.1M+244.1%
Operating Income

$13.8M

Previous: -$9.64M+243.6%

Revenue & EPS history

Ligand · Revenue · Quarterly

$59.7M

Q4 2025+39.4%vs Q4 2024
Beat estimate in 14 of 15 quarters(93%)
ActualEstimate

Revenue by segment

Ligand · $23.9M total across 1 segment · Q3 2023

  • Royalties
    $23.9M+20.3%

Forward guidance

Ligand reaffirmed its 2026 financial guidance, expecting total revenue between 245000000 and 285000000 and adjusted earnings per diluted share of 8.00 to 9.00, supported by anticipated royalty and Captisol sales growth.

Tailwinds

  • Expected 2026 total revenue between 245000000 and 285000000.
  • Projected 2026 royalty revenue between 200000000 and 225000000.
  • Anticipated Captisol sales between 35000000 and 40000000.
  • Adjusted EPS guidance of 8.00 to 9.00 for 2026.
  • Strong balance sheet with 733521000 in cash and investments.

Headwinds

  • Revenue dependent on partner commercialization performance.
  • Potential variability in Captisol material sales.
  • Exposure to regulatory and clinical development risks from partners.
  • Competition for royalty acquisition opportunities.
  • Convertible senior notes adding leverage to the balance sheet.

Historical earnings impact

How earnings announcements have historically affected this stock's price.

Avg. return before/after earnings

Based on 19 quarterly earnings reports · overlaid with Q4 2025

Historical avgQ4 2025

+0.1%

Avg return

Earnings day

+2.0%

Avg return

5 days after

-0.8%

Avg return

30 days after

52%

33 / 64 earnings

Positive

+18.7%

Q4 2013

Best reaction

-21.6%

Q3 2011

Worst reaction

Earnings price reactions
QuarterReport dateReaction (Day 0)+5 days+30 days
Q1 2026+5.3%+5.0%
Q4 2025+2.6%+6.7%+2.1%
Q3 2025+9.3%+9.6%-2.9%
Q1 2025-3.2%+0.0%+0.4%
Q4 2024+0.6%+0.2%-6.4%
Q3 2024+3.7%+3.3%+6.8%
Q2 2024-4.9%+2.1%+5.1%
Q1 2024+10.3%+19.8%+13.1%
Q4 2023+13.3%+5.8%-1.8%
Q3 2023+2.8%+3.8%+16.3%
Q2 2023+6.7%+1.4%-4.2%
Q1 2023+5.2%+3.2%-0.2%
Q4 2022+5.9%+3.0%-2.1%
Q3 2022+12.8%+31.3%+6.0%
Q2 2022+5.7%+9.5%-3.5%
Q1 2022-2.9%-13.0%-9.1%
Q4 2021-16.3%-19.7%-8.7%
Q3 2021+7.8%+4.9%-6.9%
Q2 2021-8.1%-10.0%-7.4%
Q1 2021-9.5%-10.5%-22.3%
Q4 2020+1.7%+17.6%-18.5%
Q3 2020-0.2%+5.4%+3.4%
Q2 2020+0.6%+0.4%-11.9%
Q1 2020+3.2%+6.8%+22.1%
Q4 2019+3.3%+2.8%+16.7%
Q3 2019-7.4%-1.4%-4.9%
Q2 2019-14.8%-11.5%-14.7%
Q1 2019-3.3%-4.1%-14.6%
Q4 2018-2.7%+1.8%-10.0%
Q3 2018-2.7%-8.9%-10.7%
Q2 2018+9.8%+7.7%+13.0%
Q1 2018+7.3%+13.2%+26.4%
Q4 2017+0.0%-1.9%+3.7%
Q3 2017-4.9%-1.3%-8.4%
Q2 2017+5.7%+2.5%+9.4%
Q1 2017-2.9%+0.2%+1.2%
Q4 2016-2.8%+1.3%+1.5%
Q3 2016-2.7%+3.1%+10.8%
Q2 2016-7.4%-13.2%-20.2%
Q1 2016-1.4%
Q4 2015-4.2%
Q3 2015+5.1%
Q2 2015+2.3%
Q1 2015+4.5%
Q4 2014+2.3%
Q3 2014-3.9%
Q2 2014+7.7%
Q1 2014-2.9%
Q4 2013+18.7%
Q3 2013-10.7%
Q2 2013-1.7%
Q1 2013+1.7%
Q4 2012+7.4%
Q3 2012+10.8%
Q2 2012-8.8%
Q4 2011-8.8%
Q1 2012+1.3%
Q3 2011-21.6%
Q2 2011-6.5%
Q1 2011+0.9%
Q4 2010-0.3%
Q3 2010-2.4%
Q2 2010-3.6%
Q1 2010-9.6%

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