Zacks Research Has Optimistic Outlook of LLY Q1 Earnings

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) – Stock analysts at Zacks Research lifted their Q1 2027 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Eli Lilly and Company in a report issued on Monday, December 22nd. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the company will post earnings of $9.46 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $9.35. The consensus estimate for Eli Lilly and Company’s current full-year earnings is $23.48 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Eli Lilly and Company’s Q2 2027 earnings at $9.91 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $11.13 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $41.37 EPS.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.42 by $0.60. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 109.52% and a net margin of 30.99%.The business had revenue of $17.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.09 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.18 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 53.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 23.000-23.700 EPS.

Several other equities analysts have also recently commented on LLY. Loop Capital set a $950.00 target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Monday, November 10th. CICC Research lifted their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $801.00 to $1,060.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Wolfe Research increased their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,050.00 to $1,250.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. UBS Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Thursday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,000.00 to $1,200.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $1,155.36.

Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 0.5%

NYSE:LLY opened at $1,076.38 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $1.02 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 52.66, a PEG ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 0.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a current ratio of 1.55. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1 year low of $623.78 and a 1 year high of $1,111.99. The business has a fifty day moving average of $965.92 and a 200-day moving average of $833.56.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Eli Lilly and Company

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LLY. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 0.7% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 80,959,089 shares of the company’s stock valued at $61,771,785,000 after acquiring an additional 551,659 shares during the period. State Street Corp grew its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 34,726,558 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,496,364,000 after purchasing an additional 219,590 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors increased its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 20.9% during the 3rd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 25,088,371 shares of the company’s stock worth $19,141,787,000 after purchasing an additional 4,332,008 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 4.1% during the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 14,563,780 shares of the company’s stock valued at $11,112,164,000 after buying an additional 574,229 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 78,621.2% in the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 11,552,336 shares of the company’s stock valued at $9,005,392,000 after buying an additional 11,537,661 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 82.53% of the company’s stock.

Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be given a dividend of $1.73 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. This is a positive change from Eli Lilly and Company’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.50. This represents a $6.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. Eli Lilly and Company’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 29.35%.

Trending Headlines about Eli Lilly and Company

Here are the key news stories impacting Eli Lilly and Company this week:

• Positive Sentiment: High-profile endorsement and media buzz around Lilly’s own GLP‑1 pill and obesity franchise — Jim Cramer called Lilly’s GLP‑1 pill “going to revolutionize everything,” keeping investor enthusiasm for Lilly’s market potential. Jim Cramer Says Eli Lilly’s GLP-1 Pill Is “Going to Revolutionize Everything”
• Positive Sentiment: Speculation of strategic M&A: reports that Lilly met French officials regarding Abivax and market reaction (Abivax shares jumped) raise the possibility Lilly could buy an oral ulcerative colitis asset to broaden its GI franchise. M&A talk can boost takeover premium expectations. Abivax soars on report of Eli Lilly meeting French officials over possible deal
• Positive Sentiment: Clinical progress: Lilly released updated Phase 3 EMBER‑3 results for imlunestrant (inluriyo) and updated breast cancer data — positive trial updates support longer‑term pipeline value beyond obesity. Updated Results from Phase 3 EMBER-3 Study
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst positioning: Banks remain bullish overall (BofA, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan commentary) and some have lifted targets, but price targets and timing differ — supporting sentiment but leaving valuation/earnings timing questions. BofA Maintains Buy on Eli Lilly
• Neutral Sentiment: Technical momentum: shares are near 52‑week highs and attracting attention — this can amplify moves but also raises sensitivity to news flow and catalysts. Momentum Near 52-Week High
• Negative Sentiment: Regulatory setback vs. timing: U.S. approval of Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill gives Novo a first‑mover advantage in oral obesity therapy — immediate competitive pressure on Lilly’s oral candidate (orforglipron) and likely near‑term market share impact. Eli Lilly Stock Falls. Novo Nordisk Got a Wegovy Weight-Loss Pill Approved in U.S.
• Negative Sentiment: Competitive dynamics reinforced by multiple outlets: the FT and Financial Post note Lilly’s oral GLP‑1 is close but behind — the approval crystallizes competitive risk and could delay expected revenue ramp if Lilly can’t match launch timing or positioning. Novo Nordisk weight-loss drug wins US approval as a daily pill

Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) is a global pharmaceutical company founded in 1876 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes a broad range of medicines and therapies for patients worldwide. Eli Lilly maintains operations and commercial presence across North America, Europe, Asia and other regions, serving both developed and emerging markets. The company has been led in recent years by President and Chief Executive Officer David A.