Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Forecast for LLY Earnings

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) – Zacks Research raised their Q1 2027 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Eli Lilly and Company in a research note issued on Monday, December 22nd. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the company will earn $9.46 per share for the quarter, up from their previous 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 for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.42 by $0.60. The business had revenue of $17.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $16.09 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 30.99% and a return on equity of 109.52%. The company’s revenue was up 53.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.18 earnings per share. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 23.000-23.700 EPS.

Other research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Wolfe Research increased their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,050.00 to $1,250.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. BMO Capital Markets set a $1,200.00 target price on Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Daiwa America raised Eli Lilly and Company from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. Erste Group Bank raised Eli Lilly and Company from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Friday, December 19th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $1,155.36.

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Up 0.5%

Eli Lilly and Company stock opened at $1,077.06 on Tuesday. Eli Lilly and Company has a 52 week low of $623.78 and a 52 week high of $1,111.99. The stock has a market cap of $1.02 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 52.69, a PEG ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 0.37. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $976.10 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $837.36. The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71.

Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be paid a dividend of $1.73 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. This represents a $6.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. This is a boost from Eli Lilly and Company’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.50. Eli Lilly and Company’s dividend payout ratio is 29.35%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Eli Lilly and Company

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the first quarter worth approximately $27,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC grew its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 84.2% during the 3rd quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 35 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 16 shares in the last quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Steph & Co. raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 290.0% during the 3rd quarter. Steph & Co. now owns 39 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the period. 82.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Trending Headlines about Eli Lilly and Company

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

• Positive Sentiment: Positive clinical data and pipeline momentum: MarketBeat and other coverage highlight strong orforglipron (oral) maintenance data and very high-weight-loss results for retatrutide, supporting Lilly’s 2026 outlook and the potential for new, recurring revenue streams if approvals succeed. (Pipeline upside is a major growth driver.)
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts raising estimates: Zacks and other outlets have lifted near‑term EPS estimates for Lilly, indicating improving sell‑side expectations for upcoming quarters — a supportive signal for valuation and sentiment.
• Positive Sentiment: Breast‑cancer trial update adds diversification to growth story: Lilly announced updated meaningful data on a breast cancer treatment, which could broaden the company’s revenue base beyond GLP‑1s and reduce single‑product risk. Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) Announces Updated Meaningful Data on Breast Cancer Treatment
• Neutral Sentiment: Stock‑split speculation: Commentary that LLY is a top stock‑split candidate in 2026 may boost retail interest and liquidity if management acts, but it is not a fundamental earnings catalyst on its own. Eli Lilly (LLY) a Top Stock Split Candidate in 2026
• Neutral Sentiment: Technical/band commentary: Some technical analysts are flagging buy zones and short‑term ranges for LLY, which can influence short‑term trading flows but not fundamentals. Eli Lilly & Company (LLY): Buyers looking for rally between $1144.4 – $1196.17
• Neutral Sentiment: M&A interest in niche assets: Analysis suggesting Lilly might target small biotech assets (e.g., Abivax) is speculative — could be accretive but not immediate. Abivax: Here’s Why Eli Lilly Could Want Its Oral Ulcerative Colitis Therapy
• Negative Sentiment: Competitive pressure from Novo Nordisk’s newly FDA‑approved oral Wegovy pill: Novo’s approval and planned U.S. launch (early January) has pushed investors to re‑rate competitive dynamics in the obesity/GLP‑1 market — a near‑term headwind for Lilly’s market share and pricing expectations. Focus: Lilly, Novo lock horns in India’s obesity drug race
• Negative Sentiment: India and generics risk: Reports that Lilly and Novo are racing to capture India’s obesity market ahead of cheaper generics due in March raise margin and volume risks in a large market — increased competition can pressure growth forecasts. Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk Battle for India’s Fast‑Growing Obesity‑Drug Market
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst downgrade / cautionary market commentary: A recent Seeking Alpha piece downgraded the stock, reflecting concerns about valuation, tolerability issues for next‑gen drugs (discontinuation rates), and near‑term competitive threats — a sentiment headwind for momentum investors. Eli Lilly: Mr. Market Finally Woke Up, But I’m Not Out Yet (Rating Downgrade)

About Eli Lilly and Company

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.