Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) Shares Up 4.1% – Here’s Why

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY)’s share price traded up 4.1% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $1,117.66 and last traded at $1,107.54. 4,646,275 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 34% from the average session volume of 3,471,991 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1,064.04.

Trending Headlines about Eli Lilly and Company

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

• Positive Sentiment: Lilly is reported to be in advanced talks to acquire Ventyx Biosciences for more than $1 billion (roughly $14/share in the WSJ report). The potential deal would add an oral therapeutic program to Lilly’s pipeline and explains the sharp move in both LLY and VTYX shares. Eli Lilly is in advanced talks to acquire Ventyx Biosciences (WSJ)
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst optimism is lifting sentiment — Citigroup put a large upside on LLY (saying ~50% upside) and multiple analysts issued upgrades/notes today, citing underappreciated pipeline value and continued GLP‑1 market strength. That supportive research is helping push the stock higher. Eli Lilly Stock Has 50% Upside, Says Citigroup (TipRanks)
• Positive Sentiment: Lilly expanded its obesity pipeline via a multiyear, roughly $1.3 billion collaboration with Nimbus Therapeutics to develop oral obesity treatments — a strategic move that supports long‑term growth beyond injectable GLP‑1s. Boston biotech Nimbus to partner with Eli Lilly on weight-loss pill in $1.3 billion deal
• Positive Sentiment: Lilly announced a new Phase 3 obesity trial, which signals long‑term upside in the weight‑loss market and reinforces revenue growth expectations for future years. Lilly’s New Phase 3 Obesity Trial (TipRanks)
• Neutral Sentiment: Positive media/analyst coverage (Zacks, Seeking Alpha, Motley Fool pieces) highlight momentum and valuation narratives; useful for sentiment but not new company-specific facts. Are You Looking for a Top Momentum Pick? (Zacks)
• Negative Sentiment: Regulatory/legal risk: the Indiana Attorney General sued Lilly alleging inflated insulin prices. This lawsuit keeps political and regulatory pressure on pricing, a headline risk that could weigh on sentiment if it escalates. Indiana attorney general sues Eli Lilly over insulin pricing (Yahoo)

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Monday, December 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $951.00 to $1,145.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, December 15th. Wolfe Research increased their price objective on 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 price target on Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have given a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $1,169.00.

Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

The company has a 50-day moving average of $1,022.32 and a 200-day moving average of $855.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a current ratio of 1.55. The stock has a market cap of $1.05 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 54.18, a PEG ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 0.35.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.09 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.18 earnings per share. The company’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. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current year.

Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared 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. This represents a $6.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. This is a positive change from Eli Lilly and Company’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.50. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 13th. Eli Lilly and Company’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.35%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Eli Lilly and Company

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Miller Global Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the fourth quarter valued at $33,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 84.2% in the third quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 35 shares of the company’s stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 16 shares during the period. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the second quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, Steph & Co. boosted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 290.0% during the third quarter. Steph & Co. now owns 39 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.53% of the company’s stock.

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.