Street View: Eli Lilly stays solid while weight-loss drug stirs debate

Eli Lilly LLY.N on Thursday raised its full-year profit and sales forecast, betting on surging demand for blockbuster weight-loss drug Zepbound, as it targets new markets and looks to grab more share from Novo Nordisk's NOVOb.CO Wegovy

LLY's experimental weight-loss pill helped patients lose 12.4% of body weight in late-stage trial, but fell short of Novo's Wegovy

Stock rated "buy" on average; median PT is $951 - data compiled by LSEG

MEANINGFUL MOVES IN MEASURED DOSES

J.P.Morgan ("overweight," PT: $1,100) says LLY is set for further upside, driven by strong demand for Zepbound and Mounjaro, its injectable treatments for obesity and diabetes, and progress on orforglipron, its experimental oral weight-loss pill, adds another potential boost to the story

Jefferies ("buy," PT: $905) says the bullish outlook for oral obesity drugs is fading and orforglipron shows promise, but safety concerns and side effects raise doubts about its fit for primary care

Citigroup ("buy," PT: $1,190) sees orforglipron as a strong, approvable product that could boost Lilly's growth. Despite broader biopharma concerns, Lilly stands out for its fundamentals and momentum

Wells Fargo ("overweight," PT: $1,100) says orforglipron came in softer than expected, but its weight-loss results and safety profile still make it a viable oral option, especially in international markets where pricing can be more flexible