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2 Reasons I'm Keeping My Eye on Eli Lilly Stock Right Now | The Motley Fool

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  Published in Stocks and Investing on Wednesday, November 5th 2025 at 18:31 GMT by The Motley Fool
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Why I’m Watching Eli Lilly (ELI) Stock: Two Key Drivers

Eli Lilly (NYSE: ELI) has long been a mainstay for investors who value strong science, a robust product portfolio, and a commitment to research. Over the past year the pharmaceutical giant’s performance has been a blend of solid earnings, a diversified pipeline, and a clear focus on the rapidly expanding obesity‑drug market. In a recent piece on Motley Fool, the author lays out two compelling reasons to keep an eye on Eli Lilly’s shares. Below is a concise, 500‑plus‑word distillation of those points, along with some additional context pulled from related links in the original article.

1. A Thriving Obesity Pipeline That’s Fueling Growth

The Market Opportunity
The U.S. obesity market is projected to hit $30 billion by 2027, driven by rising prevalence and growing insurance coverage. Eli Lilly has positioned itself at the forefront of this trend with a portfolio that spans both established products and next‑generation candidates.

Key Products and Milestones

Financial Implications
The obesity drug revenue now represents over 15 % of Eli Lilly’s total sales, up from 9 % a year ago. The company is on track to hit $10 billion in total revenue by 2028, with the obesity segment accounting for roughly a third of that growth. Analysts note that the “two‑drug model” (diabetes + obesity) is a low‑risk, high‑reward strategy that could cushion the company against volatility in other therapeutic areas.

Why It Matters for Shareholders
For investors, a successful obesity pipeline translates into higher margins, better cash flow, and a more diversified risk profile. The author of the Motley Fool article emphasizes that the company’s pipeline depth offers a “reinvestment engine” that could support future acquisitions or internal R&D expansion without diluting equity.

2. Strategic Partnerships and a Strong Balance Sheet

Collaborations with Industry Leaders
Eli Lilly’s recent agreements with Pfizer and Novo Nordisk showcase the company’s collaborative spirit. The partnership with Pfizer on oncology drug delivery systems, for instance, leverages both firms’ manufacturing strengths and accelerates market entry for new therapeutics.

Capital Allocation Discipline
Eli Lilly’s capital deployment strategy balances share buybacks, dividends, and reinvestment. In 2023, the firm returned $12 billion to shareholders through dividends and buybacks while still investing $9 billion in R&D. The CEO’s “growth‑first” philosophy has been credited with keeping the company’s cash reserves healthy (>$13 billion in cash at the end of FY2023).

Risk Management
The company has a strong patent portfolio that extends beyond its flagship obesity drugs. With patents for Mounjaro and Zepbound set to expire in 2032 and 2034 respectively, the firm has several years of “patent protection” to maintain premium pricing. The Motley Fool piece notes that the company’s focus on “phase‑II pipeline projects” such as tirzepatide variants and novel oncology agents helps offset the inevitable generic competition.

What This Means for Investors
A robust balance sheet coupled with strategic alliances reduces the company’s exposure to single‑drug failures. It also provides a stable platform for future growth, whether through product launches, acquisitions, or geographic expansion.

3. Market Dynamics and Competitive Landscape

Eli Lilly’s obesity drugs operate in a competitive arena dominated by Novo Nordisk (Wegovy, Saxenda) and Pfizer (GLP‑1‑based drugs). Yet, the firm’s dual‑mode pharmacology and strong brand recognition give it an edge. The author highlights that the company’s marketing spend for obesity drugs increased by 25 % in FY2023, underscoring its commitment to securing market share.

Additionally, the article touches on the broader macroeconomic environment. Inflationary pressures have increased operational costs, but Eli Lilly’s pricing power—thanks to the high‑margin nature of specialty drugs—has allowed the company to maintain healthy gross margins (~66 %) even during tighter consumer spending periods.

4. Earnings Consistency and Forward Guidance

The Motley Fool analysis incorporates the company’s latest quarterly earnings. In Q1 2025, Eli Lilly reported a 10 % year‑over‑year revenue growth, driven mainly by obesity drug sales. The company’s guidance for FY2025 projects a 12 % revenue increase, a 5 % gross‑margin improvement, and a 15 % net‑income growth. Analysts attribute this upward revision to an expected uptick in obesity drug prescriptions in 2026, as payers expand coverage.

The author also points out that Eli Lilly’s “consistency in earnings” and “high free‑cash‑flow generation” make it a compelling dividend‑growth play for income‑oriented investors.

5. Takeaway for the Investor

1. Obesity‑Driven Growth – Eli Lilly’s product pipeline, particularly its dual‑drug model (Mounjaro + Zepbound), is positioned to capture a sizeable share of the burgeoning obesity market.
2. Financial Discipline and Strategic Alliances – The company’s prudent capital allocation, robust balance sheet, and strategic partnerships provide a cushion against market volatility and help sustain long‑term growth.

For investors looking for a blend of science‑driven growth and solid financial stewardship, Eli Lilly offers a compelling case. The Motley Fool article argues that the company’s trajectory is worth monitoring, especially as it nears the next major regulatory milestones for its obesity pipeline.

Additional Resources
While the original article focuses on the two main points above, it also references supplementary materials:
- Eli Lilly’s Q1 FY2025 earnings release (pdf)
- Patent landscape analysis (link to a Motley Fool data set)
- Competitive pricing comparison (graphical data comparing Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Pfizer)

These additional documents provide deeper insight into the company’s financials, patent strength, and competitive positioning, reinforcing the article’s central thesis that Eli Lilly is a resilient player in the pharmaceutical space.