Mercks Third-Quarter Earnings Beat Estimates

The company experienced a 4% decline in third-quarter sales, missing analyst estimates and prompting a reduction in its full-year revenue forecast. Despite this, earnings per share exceeded expectations, leading to an increased EPS forecast. Financial strategies, including cost-cutting, have helped maintain profitability even as revenue struggles.

What is the overall impact of financial engineering and cost-cutting measures on the company's performance?

What factors have been helping to support the bottom line despite struggling revenue?