Shire missed in two key areas, but overall Q4 results and guidance met or beat views. (Kris Tripplaar/Sipa USA/Newscom)

Despite drugmaker Shire's (SHPG) lagging sales in oncology and neuroscience, the company topped Wall Street's Q4 views and delivered in-line 2017 guidance prompting the stock to pop early Thursday to a six-week high.

In the stock market today, though, Shire stock rose 2.6% to 178.70, after earlier rising as much as 4.8% to touch a high achieved Jan. 5. Shares got support this week at their 50-day moving average but remain below their 200-day average.

For Q4, Shire reported $3.8 billion in sales, up 124% and topping the consensus for $3.7 billion. The company also posted $3.37 in earnings pershare minus items, beating analysts' model for $3.27, RBC analyst Douglas Miehm wrote in a research report.

But neuroscience sales of $589 million missed views for $641 million, and $55 million in oncology sales lagged by $8 million, Miehm said. He has an outperform rating on Shire stock.

Shire guided to $14.5 billion to $14.8 billion in total 2017 product sales and $600 million to $700 million in royalties and other revenues. That indicates $15.25 billion in total 2017 revenue, which would be in line with broader views for $15.24 billion.

For 2017, the company also sees $14.60-$15.20EPS minus items. Analysts had seen $15-$15.40, Miehm wrote.

IBD'S TAKE: Fourth-quarter earnings season is rapidly coming to an end. Head to IBD's Biotech & Pharma Stock News page for a rundown of winning and losing stocks this quarter.

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Shire and Allergan continue to battle for market share with their treatments for dry eye. (Kris Tripplaar/Sipa USA/Newscom)

12/02/2016 Thanksgiving week saw Shire's Xiidra lose some ground to rival Allergan in the dry-eye market, RBC says.

12/02/2016 Thanksgiving week saw Shire's Xiidra lose some ground to rival...

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