Thermo Fisher shares jumped after earnings beat and raised outlook

Thermo Fisher Scientific shares finished 8.7% higher after the company reported second-quarter results that exceeded Wall Street forecasts and raised its full-year earnings outlook.

The life-sciences company posted revenue of $11.99 billion and adjusted earnings of $6.03 per share. The stronger-than-expected performance and improved outlook made Thermo Fisher one of the largest gainers in the S&P 500 during the session.

The report matters beyond the company because it offered a strong signal of improving customer activity across life-sciences markets. That can shape investor expectations for other companies serving research, laboratory and related life-sciences customers.

The quarterly revenue, adjusted earnings, outlook increase and share-price reaction are confirmed. What remains uncertain is whether the improvement in customer activity will persist and whether Thermo Fisher will achieve its raised full-year outlook.