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On Monday, BMO Capital Markets sustained their positive stance on Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) shares, maintaining an Outperform rating and a $900.00 price target. The pharmaceutical giant, with a market capitalization of $740 billion and impressive revenue growth of 32%, continues to demonstrate strong market performance. The endorsement follows the recent success of the ACHIEVE-1 study, which evaluated Orforglipron, a treatment for Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Analysts at BMO Capital took the opportunity to assess the potential manufacturing and launch strategies for the drug.
The ACHIEVE-1 study results, released last week, have put a spotlight on Lilly’s capabilities in bringing new treatments to market. With an industry-leading gross profit margin of 81.3% and an excellent financial health score according to InvestingPro, the company appears well-positioned for growth, though current valuations suggest the stock may be trading above its Fair Value. BMO analysts highlighted that with data from the ATTAIN-1/2 studies expected in the third quarter of 2024, and a potential filing for obesity treatment set for late 2025, Eli Lilly is well-placed for the Orforglipron launch anticipated in 2026.
The company’s preparation for the launch includes building a significant inventory, with around $500 million of capitalized inventory noted in Eli Lilly’s most recent 10-K filing. This figure is expected to have increased since the filing, indicating a strong commitment to ensuring sufficient supply for the launch.
Eli Lilly’s strategic positioning and the positive clinical study outcomes suggest that the company is gearing up for a successful introduction of Orforglipron into the global market. The maintained Outperform rating and price target reflect confidence in Eli Lilly’s prospects and the potential impact of Orforglipron on its growth trajectory.
In other recent news, Eli Lilly has reported several noteworthy developments. The company announced promising results from its ACHIEVE-1 Phase 3 trial for orforglipron, an oral diabetes treatment. The trial demonstrated significant reductions in A1C levels and weight among participants, with over 65% achieving an A1C level of 6.5% or lower. Eli Lilly plans to submit regulatory filings for orforglipron by the end of 2025, aiming for approval in 2026. Meanwhile, BMO Capital Markets adjusted its price target for Eli Lilly to $900, citing macroeconomic pressures, though maintaining an Outperform rating. The firm noted increased prescriptions for Eli Lilly’s drugs, Mounjaro and Zepbound, with substantial year-over-year growth. Additionally, Leerink Partners maintained an Outperform rating with a price target of $989, expressing confidence in the prospects of Eli Lilly’s shares. Bernstein analysts have also raised their price target to $1,100, highlighting Eli Lilly’s market share gains and consistent performance. These developments indicate a strong position for Eli Lilly in the pharmaceutical market.
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