Erste Group Bank Issues Optimistic Forecast for LLY Earnings

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) – Equities researchers at Erste Group Bank boosted their FY2026 EPS estimates for shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, March 24th. Erste Group Bank analyst H. Engel now anticipates that the company will earn $34.40 per share for the year, up from their prior estimate of $34.34. The consensus estimate for Eli Lilly and Company’s current full-year earnings is $23.48 per share.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The company reported $7.54 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $7.48 by $0.06. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 31.66% and a return on equity of 102.94%. The company had revenue of $19.29 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $17.85 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $5.32 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 42.6% on a year-over-year basis. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2026 guidance at 33.500-35.000 EPS.

Several other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Argus raised their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $930.00 to $1,200.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, February 9th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Eli Lilly and Company from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, March 21st. Leerink Partners upped their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,234.00 to $1,296.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Finally, Bank of America cut their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,286.00 to $1,268.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have issued a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $1,221.44.

Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:LLY opened at $898.68 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54. The company has a market cap of $849.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.16, a PEG ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 0.40. Eli Lilly and Company has a 52 week low of $623.78 and a 52 week high of $1,133.95. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $1,010.46 and a 200 day moving average price of $960.96.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Eli Lilly and Company

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Osbon Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the second quarter worth $27,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC raised its holdings 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 worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 16 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Evolution Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the second quarter valued at $29,000. 82.53% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Eli Lilly and Company News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 earnings and revenue momentum — Coverage highlights Eli Lilly’s strong Q4 results and robust GLP‑1 sales that are driving top‑line and margin strength, supporting the company’s growth story. Firing on All Cylinders: Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) Q4 Earnings Lead the Way
• Positive Sentiment: Bullish long‑term thesis on GLP‑1 leadership — Retail/bullish analysis argues that Lilly’s leadership in obesity/GLP‑1 drugs makes it a durable growth compounder, reinforcing investor enthusiasm. Could Buying Eli Lilly Today Set You Up for Life?
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst model tweak — Erste Group slightly raised FY‑2026 EPS expectations for LLY (minor lift to forecasts), which supports consensus that Lilly’s earnings power is rising. MarketBeat: Eli Lilly analyst note
• Neutral Sentiment: Media/celebrity endorsement and market performance — Jim Cramer and other outlets are naming Lilly among top healthcare picks, and recent trading showed short‑term outperformance, which can attract flows but also create volatility. Is Eli Lilly (LLY) The Best Healthcare Stock to Buy According to Jim Cramer?
• Neutral Sentiment: Industry comparisons and valuation debate — Analyst pieces compare LLY with peers (Novo Nordisk, ABBV), highlighting strong growth but also elevated multiples — important context for investors weighing upside vs. valuation risk. LLY or ABBV: Which Drugmaker is Likely to Offer Better Upside in 2026?
• Neutral Sentiment: Investor letters and fund commentary reiterate GLP‑1 as the growth engine, but also note concentration risk (revenue tied to a few franchises). Eli Lilly (LLY) Gained From Growth in its GLP-1 Franchises Drugs
• Negative Sentiment: Policy/reputation risk around GLP‑1s — Coverage raising the “societal obligation” and broader public debate about GLP‑1s can translate into regulatory scrutiny or reimbursement pressure, a potential near‑term headwind for sentiment. Eli Lilly and the ‘societal obligation’ of GLP-1s

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.