Is Eli Lilly Stock a Portfolio Must-Have Pre-Q2 Earnings?

Core Viewpoint - Eli Lilly and Company is set to report its first-quarter earnings on May 1, with sales and earnings estimates at $12.62 billion and $3.52 per share respectively, while earnings estimates for 2025 have seen a decline from $23.53 to $22.43 per share over the past month [1][4]. Earnings Performance - The company has exceeded earnings expectations in three of the last four quarters, with an average earnings surprise of 8.47% [2][3]. - The last reported quarter showed an earnings surprise of 5.77% [2]. Earnings Estimates and Trends - Current earnings estimates for Q1, Q2, 2025, and 2026 are $3.52, $5.58, $22.43, and $31.15 respectively, with a notable decline in Q1 estimates from $4.64 to $3.52 over the past 30 days, reflecting a -22.30% revision [1][4]. Factors Influencing Upcoming Results - Top-line growth in Q1 is expected to be driven by demand for FDA-approved tirzepatide medicines, specifically diabetes drug Mounjaro and weight loss medicine Zepbound [5]. - Sales of Mounjaro and Zepbound were below expectations in the latter half of 2024, attributed to slower growth and unfavorable channel dynamics [5][6]. - The FDA's approval of Zepbound for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea is anticipated to contribute positively to sales [7]. Sales Estimates for Key Products - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mounjaro and Zepbound is $3.75 billion and $2.27 billion respectively, while internal estimates are $3.82 billion and $2.19 billion [8]. - Sales estimates for other drugs include Trulicity at $1.11 billion, Taltz at $663 million, Verzenio at $1.25 billion, Jardiance at $675 million, Olumiant at $228 million, and Emgality at $220 million [10]. Competitive Landscape - Lilly faces competition in the diabetes and obesity market, particularly from Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, with several companies developing GLP-1-based candidates that could threaten market dominance [22][23]. - Despite competition, Lilly is investing in obesity treatments and has new molecules in clinical development, including a promising oral GLP-1 agonist [24]. Stock Performance and Valuation - Lilly's stock has increased by 14.8% this year, outperforming the industry average of 1.5% [13]. - The stock is currently trading at a premium compared to the industry [16]. Investment Outlook - Despite challenges, Lilly is viewed as a strong investment due to its robust growth prospects and position as a leading drugmaker [25].