Cramer's Lightning Round: Eli Lilly is a Buy

Eli GrantMonday, Nov 18, 2024 7:26 pm ET
4min read
Jim Cramer, the renowned investor and host of CNBC's "Mad Money," recently shared his insights on Eli Lilly (LLY) in his Lightning Round segment, advising investors to buy the stock. Cramer's bullish stance on Eli Lilly is supported by the company's strong financial performance, innovative pipeline, and robust analyst ratings.

Eli Lilly's recent financial performance has been impressive. In 2023, the company's revenue surged 19.56% to $34.12 billion, while earnings increased 129.60% to $13.32 per share. Analysts forecast a 32.30% increase in the stock price to $962.05 within the next 12 months, reflecting strong confidence in the company's growth prospects.

Eli Lilly's innovative pipeline and successful products are key drivers behind analysts' positive outlook. The company's diabetes portfolio, including Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity, has shown strong growth. Additionally, its oncology offerings, such as Alimta, Cyramza, Erbitux, Jaypirca, Retevmo, Tyvyt, and Verzenio, have contributed to its success. Furthermore, Lilly's experimental pill muvalaplin, which lowered lipoprotein(a) levels by up to 85% in a Phase 2 study, and tirzepatide's positive results in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and obesity, have bolstered analysts' confidence in the company's future prospects.



Analysts' price targets for Eli Lilly (LLY) vary from $610 to $1,250, with an average of $962.05, suggesting a 32.30% increase from the current stock price of $727.20. The average analyst rating is a "Strong Buy," indicating a positive outlook on the company's future performance. Historically, LLY's revenue has grown at an average rate of 15.40% over the past five years, while EPS growth has averaged 12.75%. Despite a slight decline in earnings in 2023, analysts expect EPS to grow by 129.60% in 2024, followed by 73.94% in 2025. This positive outlook, coupled with the company's strong historical performance and analyst ratings, supports the notion that Eli Lilly is a compelling investment opportunity.

In conclusion, Cramer's bullish stance on Eli Lilly is well-supported by the company's robust financial performance, innovative pipeline, and strong analyst ratings. Despite potential risks and challenges, Eli Lilly's diversified product portfolio and strategic investments in emerging therapies position the company for long-term growth and success. Investors should consider Eli Lilly as a promising addition to their portfolios, given its strong fundamentals and positive outlook.