For the quarter ended September 2024, Novartis (NVS Quick QuoteNVS - Free Report) reported revenue of $12.82 billion, up 8.8% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $2.06, compared to $1.74 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue represents a surprise of +1.63% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $12.62 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $1.94, the EPS surprise was +6.19%.

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

Here is how Novartis performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

• Revenues- Hematology- Tasigna- US: $226 million compared to the $218.15 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +2.3% year over year.
• Net sales- Cardiovascular, renal and metabolic- Leqvio- ROW: $97 million versus $99.48 million estimated by two analysts on average.
• Revenues- Hematology- Promacta/Revolade- US: $306 million versus $285.06 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a -2.6% change.
• Revenues- Immunology- Cosentyx- US: $993 million versus $819.09 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +38.5% change.
• Revenues- Solid Tumors- Tafinlar + Mekinist- Total: $534 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $523.88 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +10.8%.
• Revenues- Net sales to third parties: $12.82 billion versus $12.51 billion estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +12.1% change.
• Revenues- Solid Tumors- Kisqali- Total: $787 million compared to the $795.78 million average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of +40% year over year.
• Revenues- Neuroscience- Gilenya- Total: $130 million versus $130.29 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a -51.9% change.
• Revenues- Immunology- Cosentyx- Total: $1.69 billion compared to the $1.53 billion average estimate based on three analysts. The reported number represents a change of +27.4% year over year.
• Revenues- Cardiovascular- Entresto- Total: $1.87 billion versus $1.90 billion estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +25.6% change.
• Revenues- Established Brands- Galvus Group- Total: $159 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $143.56 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -12.2%.
• Revenues- Established Brands- Exforge Group- Total: $174 million versus $174.81 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a -7% change.

View all Key Company Metrics for Novartis here>>>

Shares of Novartis have returned +0.5% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.7% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), indicating that it could outperform the broader market in the near term.