They are dragging a ball and chain behind them now.
Wednesday's the teaser, Thursday's the Full Monty. We should get a look at their R&D (research and development) strategy, pipeline, commercial strategy and an update on cost-cutting.
The pressure on SmithKline is clearly greater and, indeed, their actions have to show that. I expect the market will still work on the assumption that SmithKline will do a deal in the not-too-distant future.
The top-line growth rate was generally slower than expected, but that doesn't appear to have held profits back.
The more fundamental strategic review -- in particular as to whether any businesses get sold or not -- probably will happen, but not in the very short term.
That is the top end of expectations.
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