Vanguard Group Inc. Increases Stake in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY)

Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) by 0.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 74,248,997 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 475,530 shares during the period. Eli Lilly and Company makes up approximately 1.0% of Vanguard Group Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 12th largest position. Vanguard Group Inc. owned 7.82% of Eli Lilly and Company worth $57,320,226,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of LLY. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 5.3% during the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 1,208,545 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,070,698,000 after buying an additional 60,306 shares in the last quarter. Thompson Siegel & Walmsley LLC grew its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 18.8% during the 3rd quarter. Thompson Siegel & Walmsley LLC now owns 2,549 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,258,000 after acquiring an additional 403 shares in the last quarter. Eagle Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 33.8% during the 3rd quarter. Eagle Asset Management Inc. now owns 29,394 shares of the company’s stock worth $24,443,000 after purchasing an additional 7,425 shares during the last quarter. Stonebrook Private Inc. lifted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 6.0% during the 3rd quarter. Stonebrook Private Inc. now owns 2,808 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,488,000 after buying an additional 158 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 18.4% in the 3rd quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd now owns 84,800 shares of the company’s stock valued at $75,128,000 after acquiring an additional 13,200 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.53% of the company’s stock.

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance

NYSE:LLY opened at $839.44 on Friday. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $835.99 and its 200-day simple moving average is $839.05. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.00. The stock has a market cap of $795.93 billion, a PE ratio of 71.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.34. Eli Lilly and Company has a fifty-two week low of $711.40 and a fifty-two week high of $972.53.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $5.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.45 by ($0.13). Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 23.51% and a return on equity of 85.24%. Analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Eli Lilly and Company declared that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Monday, December 9th that allows the company to buyback $15.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to repurchase up to 2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are generally a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

LLY has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Truist Financial upped their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,029.00 to $1,038.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $970.00 to $1,100.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,250.00 to $1,190.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 28th. Leerink Partners set a $950.00 price objective on Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Friday, January 17th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Eli Lilly and Company from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $1,009.72.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 1,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $818.24, for a total value of $818,240.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,840 shares in the company, valued at $4,778,521.60. This trade represents a 14.62 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.