IFM Investors Pty Ltd Lowers Position in Eli Lilly and Company $LLY

IFM Investors Pty Ltd lessened its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) by 0.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 157,572 shares of the company’s stock after selling 700 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company comprises 1.0% of IFM Investors Pty Ltd’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 12th largest position. IFM Investors Pty Ltd’s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $114,167,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.5% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 80,407,430 shares of the company’s stock valued at $62,680,004,000 after purchasing an additional 1,183,038 shares during the last quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 78,621.2% during the 2nd 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 in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter worth $8,827,714,000. Jennison Associates LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 4.3% during the 2nd quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 5,447,636 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,246,596,000 after acquiring an additional 226,620 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. grew its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 7.9% in the first quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 5,443,919 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,496,187,000 after acquiring an additional 397,696 shares in the last quarter. 82.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on LLY shares. Leerink Partnrs upgraded Eli Lilly and Company from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Friday, December 19th. Truist Financial boosted their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,038.00 to $1,182.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Monday, December 1st. Finally, CICC Research lifted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $801.00 to $1,060.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Eli Lilly and Company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $1,155.36.

Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

Shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock opened at $1,077.06 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 1.24. Eli Lilly and Company has a one year low of $623.78 and a one year high of $1,111.99. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $976.10 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $837.36. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.02 trillion, a P/E ratio of 52.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 0.37.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) last released 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. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 109.52% and a net margin of 30.99%.The firm had revenue of $17.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.09 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.18 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue 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. Analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 EPS for the current year.

Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend

The company 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. This represents a $6.92 annualized dividend 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 of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. Eli Lilly and Company’s payout ratio is currently 29.35%.

Key Stores Impacting 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)

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.