Eli Lilly & Co.LLYSELLJun 27, 2024Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Jul 15, 2026. Market Open.
Broad pipeline, but its leadership in GLP-1 is what's really pushing the stock. New catalyst is approval for oral pill. Winning battle against NVO. Sees ~25% earnings growth rate over next several years.
Broken out to a new space on the charts. He looks to buy on dips if possible. Yield is 0.57%.
Different businesses. LLY is a big play in GLP-1 drugs. How will pills effect the injections business? LLY has done a good job of navigating these new pills. GS enjoys increased stock market and IPO businesses. He prefers LLY, which is tied to a secular growth trend, but GS' good times in capturing revenue in this cycle will end.
Clear leader in diabetes and weight loss. Other players are coming in, but this name is ahead of the curve. Very strong earnings growth over next few years (50% for 2026, 22% for 2027, 17% for 2028). Reliable aspects of a pharmaceutical healthcare name, plus very strong earnings growth.
RSI is 70, so wait for a bit of a pullback.
Largest pharma company in the US, and possibly the world. Breaking out to fresh all-time highs. Leading GLP-1 drugs. 150-year history of healthcare innovation.
Obesity + diabetes comprise ~55% of revenues, and growing fast. Also into oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and more. Well-insulated from patent cliffs. 80% of marketed drugs are "biologic", which stand up better to generic competition. Prolific FCF. M&A frenzy this year on top of pretty robust R&D. Yield is 0.61% (growing 15% compound pace over last 5 years, should continue).
Has owned a long time in the growth fund. It is a leader in GLP 1. Every year the weight loss drugs seem to be able to treat another condition so it is a bit of a miracle drug. Is still early for these drugs. It is expensive so if you want something else you could try Thermo Fisher for broad exposure. The health care sector still has an overhang from Covid and the US government has pulled back on spending.
Both are just too expensive. NVO is riding the wave of Ozempic, and already seeing a slew of competitive drugs to be released in next few years. LLY has been an incredibly well-run business. He could never buy something with a chart that looks like these, he just has to say he missed it and look for something that will generate returns for clients.
Tough thing with pharma is these drugs are massive successes, you get maybe 12 years of patent protection. Then your biggest success becomes your biggest concern as the patent wears off, and you struggle to find something else. It always happens.