bioMérieux (BIM) Q1 2026 TU earnings summary

Executive summary

• Q1 2026 sales declined 3.9% organically, mainly due to weak respiratory epidemiology, a mild respiratory season, and challenging geopolitical and macroeconomic conditions impacting customer demand and investment decisions.

• Total reported sales were €984 million, down 10.4% year-over-year, with a significant negative currency impact of €73 million.

• GO28/GO28 growth driver reagent sales grew 6.5%, with SPOTFIRE reagents up 31% and industrial application reagents up 8%.

• Innovation continued with CE marking of SPOTFIRE R Panel Mini, Mycoplasma on SPOTFIRE, HsTnI filing for Speed Chip, and the Accellix acquisition.

• Guidance for 2026 revised down to 3%-5% sales growth at constant exchange rates and 0%-10% profitability improvement.

Financial highlights

• Q1 sales reached €984 million, with organic sales down 3.9%–4% and total sales down 10%–10.4% due to a €73 million negative FX impact.

• Respiratory panel sales dropped 23% year-over-year, and instrument sales declined 18%.

• BIOFIRE non-respiratory panels grew 4%, while blood culture panels saw double-digit growth.

• SPOTFIRE reagent sales rose 31% organically; instrument installations totaled 450, with the install base exceeding 6,800 units.

• Microbiology reagents grew 2% overall, with China down 7% but in line with expectations.

• Industrial applications grew 5% organically, with reagents up 8%.

• Immunoassay segment performed negatively, consistent with guidance.

• North America sales dropped 7%, EMEA down 1%, Asia Pacific down 8%, while Latin America grew 16%.

Outlook and guidance

• 2026 sales growth expected at 3%-5% at constant exchange rates, with EBIT/CEBIT improvement of 0%-10%.

• Microbiology and industrial applications guidance unchanged at 3%-5% and 7%-9% growth, respectively.

• Immunoassays expected between -5% and 0%; respiratory-related BIOFIRE now guided at -8% to 3%, SPOTFIRE at +40%.

• Non-respiratory panel growth revised to 8% from 10%.

• Guidance incorporates risk adjustments for ongoing volatility and market uncertainty.

• Currency headwind for the year expected at €50–60 million.