ELI LILLY & CO (NYSE:LLY) reported second-quarter 2025 earnings that surpassed analyst expectations, yet the stock faced significant pre-market declines, suggesting a more complex market reaction.
Earnings and Revenue Beat Estimates
Revenue: $15.56 billion, up 38% year-over-year, exceeding the consensus estimate of $14.86 billion.
Earnings Per Share (EPS): $6.31, compared to the estimated $5.62.
The growth was primarily driven by strong demand for the company’s weight loss and diabetes drugs, Mounjaro and Zepbound, which continue to dominate the GLP-1 market.
Market Reaction: Pre-Market Drop Despite Strong Results
Despite the earnings beat, LLY shares fell ~13% in pre-market trading. This could reflect:
Profit-taking after a prolonged rally—LLY has been one of the best-performing large-cap pharma stocks in recent years.
Heightened expectations—investors may have priced in even stronger growth, given the blockbuster trajectory of Mounjaro and Zepbound.
Pipeline concerns—while the oral obesity drug orforglipron showed promising results (12%+ weight loss in trials), some may question its competitive edge against injectables.
Raised Full-Year Guidance
Lilly increased its 2025 revenue outlook, aligning with analyst expectations:
Analyst estimates for full-year 2025 revenue: $60.6 billion.
Q3 2025 revenue estimate: $15.68 billion.
The company’s confidence stems from robust demand for its key therapies and manufacturing expansions to meet supply constraints.
Key Takeaways from the Earnings Release
Cardiometabolic strength: Mounjaro demonstrated cardio-protective benefits in type 2 diabetes patients, reinforcing its long-term potential.
Obesity pipeline advances: Positive late-stage data for orforglipron positions Lilly to capture more of the oral GLP-1 market.
Oncology and immunology progress: The company highlighted advancements in radiopharmaceuticals and inflammatory disease treatments.