Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) Releases FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) issued an update on its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Wednesday. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 35.500-36.500 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of 36.120. The company issued revenue guidance of $85.0 billion-$87.0 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $85.4 billion.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently commented on LLY. Truist Financial upped their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,281.00 to $1,370.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. UBS Group boosted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,250.00 to $1,425.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Bank of America upped their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,251.00 to $1,334.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, July 10th. Rothschild & Co Redburn increased their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $880.00 to $900.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 7th. Finally, Barclays lifted their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,350.00 to $1,400.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, May 4th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-four have issued a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $1,293.71.

Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

NYSE LLY traded up $22.01 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $1,191.87. The company had a trading volume of 2,129,864 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,136,302. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $1,156.45 and a 200-day moving average price of $1,045.49. The company has a market capitalization of $1.12 trillion, a PE ratio of 42.34, a P/E/G ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 0.51. The company has a current ratio of 1.50, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26. Eli Lilly and Company has a twelve month low of $623.78 and a twelve month high of $1,249.45.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 5th. The company reported $8.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.16 by $2.22. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 34.98% and a return on equity of 105.77%. The business had revenue of $22.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $20.69 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $6.31 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 47.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2026 guidance at 35.500-36.500 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 34.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 10th. Investors of record on Friday, August 14th will be paid a $1.73 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 14th. This represents a $6.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. Eli Lilly and Company’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 24.58%.

Key Eli Lilly and Company News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Strong Q2 results exceeded expectations. Revenue rose 48% year over year to approximately $23.0 billion, while non-GAAP EPS reached $8.38 versus the $6.16 consensus estimate. The results were driven primarily by volume growth for Mounjaro and Zepbound. Eli Lilly easily tops quarterly estimates and raises outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Management raised its 2026 outlook again. Lilly now expects full-year revenue of $85 billion to $87 billion, up from $82 billion to $85 billion previously, and provided EPS guidance of $35.50 to $36.50. The higher forecast reflects sustained demand for diabetes and obesity treatments. Eli Lilly raises annual revenue forecast
• Positive Sentiment: The weight-loss franchise continues to expand rapidly. Mounjaro sales increased 91%, while Mounjaro and Zepbound together generated nearly $15 billion in quarterly revenue and approximately two-thirds of total sales. Foundayo adoption is also gaining traction, with broader Medicare access supporting the addressable market. LLY Q2 earnings call raises outlook as Foundayo gains traction
• Positive Sentiment: Pipeline and distribution developments add to the growth story. Lilly is advancing retatrutide toward a potential 2027 filing and expanding early access for certain patients. A new CVS weight-management partnership could improve GLP-1 distribution and patient access. Cantor Fitzgerald also raised its LLY price target to $1,410 and maintained an Overweight rating. Eli Lilly raises 2026 outlook again
• Neutral Sentiment: Competitive sentiment has improved for Lilly. Novo Nordisk also beat estimates and raised guidance, but investors reacted more favorably to Lilly’s results, reinforcing perceptions that Lilly is widening its lead in the obesity-drug market. The divide between Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk is widening
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and concentration remain risks. LLY trades at a high earnings multiple after a substantial rally, and much of its growth is concentrated in GLP-1 products. Manufacturing capacity, future competition, pricing pressure and the need to sustain exceptional demand could limit additional upside.
• Neutral Sentiment: Amazon’s Medicare initiative may broaden access but increase competitive and pricing pressure. The program will offer Wegovy, Zepbound and Foundayo through Amazon Pharmacy for eligible patients, potentially supporting demand while intensifying price-based competition. Amazon is bringing the weight-loss drug race to Medicare

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Eli Lilly and Company

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter worth about $38,000. Gilpin Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter worth approximately $54,000. Turning Point Benefit Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $56,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC increased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 57.1% during the fourth quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 55 shares of the company’s stock worth $59,000 after buying an additional 20 shares during the period. Finally, Graney & King LLC raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 14.6% during the second quarter. Graney & King LLC now owns 181 shares of the company’s stock worth $141,000 after buying an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. 82.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.