PomegraEli Lilly Stock Jumps 4% Premarket After Earnings Beat
Why is Eli Lilly stock up today?
Eli Lilly (LLY) stock rose about 4% to $1,344 in premarket trading on Thursday after the drugmaker beat third-quarter forecasts with $24.4 billion in sales and a higher revenue outlook.
Key numbers
| Lilly Q3 revenue | $24.4B+39% YoY; ~$22.6B expected [5] |
|---|---|
| Mounjaro sales | $10.7B+65% YoY |
| Lilly 2026 revenue forecast | $91-92Bup from $85-87B |
| Merck Q3 revenue | $18.1Bvs $17.3B expected |
| Keytruda sales | $8.6B+6% YoY |
| Merck adjusted EPS | $2.49vs $2.09 expected |
What happened
Eli Lilly (LLY) stock rose about 4% to $1,344 in premarket trading on Thursday after the drugmaker beat third-quarter forecasts with $24.4 billion in sales and a higher revenue outlook. Sales grew 39% from a year ago, led by the diabetes and weight-loss drugs Mounjaro ($10.7 billion) and Zepbound ($5.4 billion). Analysts had expected about $22.6 billion. Merck also reported this morning: sales of $18.1 billion beat forecasts, its cancer drug Keytruda grew 6% to $8.6 billion, and its shares rose about 3% premarket. Analysts had expected Merck's profit per share to fall 19% to $2.09; it came in at $2.49.
Why it matters
Eli Lilly's results show that demand for weight-loss and diabetes drugs is still growing fast, and the company raised its 2026 sales forecast by about $5.5 billion at the midpoint. Merck's report eased worries that Keytruda, its biggest drug, is already fading, although the eventual loss of its patent protection still looms. Both are among the largest healthcare companies, so their results can move the wider sector and the many funds that own them.
Who this affects
- MarketbullishMedium impact
- Healthcare investors gain as Lilly and Merck shares both rise.
- CompanybullishHigh impact
- Lilly shareholders gain from the sales beat and higher revenue forecast.
- CompetitorsbearishMedium impact
- Novo Nordisk and others face a stronger weight-loss rival.
- IndustrybullishMedium impact
- Strong obesity-drug demand is good for drugmakers.
Eli Lilly vs Merck, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer
How we got here
Merck reports Q2 results and a 2026 sales forecast of $66.3-67.3B.
Analysts expect Lilly Q3 revenue near $22.6B and a 19% Merck profit drop.
Lilly reports $24.4B revenue and lifts 2026 sales forecast to $91-92B.
Merck reports $18.1B revenue, raises profit outlook; shares rise about 3% premarket.
What to watch
- Lilly trimmed its 2026 profit forecast to $35-36 a share on deal charges despite higher sales.Q4 2026
- Whether Lilly's new obesity pill Foundayo keeps growing after its global launches.Q4 2026
- Whether Merck's Keytruda QLEX shot ($830M this quarter) offsets pressure as Keytruda patent protection nears its end.Q4 2026
Educational content only. Not investment advice.
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