MFA Wealth Services Acquires Shares of Eli Lilly and Company

MFA Wealth Services recently reported that it has taken a new position in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) as indicated in its latest filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. During the fourth quarter, the fund acquired a total of 1,384 shares, with the investment valued at around $1,068,000.

In addition to MFA Wealth Services, several other institutional investors have adjusted their holdings in Eli Lilly. For instance, Beaird Harris Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings by 2.2% in the second quarter, bringing its total to 512 shares, valued at $464,000 after acquiring 11 additional shares. Summit Financial Strategies Inc. raised its stake by 0.5% in the third quarter, now owning 2,105 shares worth $1,865,000 after purchasing 11 extra shares.

Similarly, Prio Wealth Limited Partnership also grew its holdings by 0.5% during the third quarter and now controls 2,411 shares valued at $2,136,000. First Community Trust NA increased its stake by 4.9% in the same quarter and now has 257 shares valued at $228,000 after purchasing an additional 12 shares. Hummer Financial Advisory Services Inc. also boosted its holdings by 1.0%, reaching a total of 1,271 shares valued at $1,126,000 after buying an extra 12 shares. Overall, approximately 82.53% of Eli Lilly’s stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Research analysts have recently provided insights regarding Eli Lilly’s stock. Wolfe Research began coverage on the company with an "outperform" rating and set a target price of $1,000. Barclays also adjusted its price target from $1,025 to $975 while maintaining an "overweight" rating. Bank of America reiterated a "buy" rating with a price target of $997.

In addition, StockNews.com upgraded the rating from "hold" to "buy". Citigroup increased its price objective from $1,060 to $1,250, continuing its endorsement with a "buy" rating. In total, four analysts have rated the stock as a "hold" while eighteen have issued a "buy" rating, leading to an average rating of "Moderate Buy" with a price target of $1,002.22 according to MarketBeat.com.

Insider Transactions

In other developments, on November 8, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 900 shares of Eli Lilly for about $723,042, at an average price of $803.38. Following this transaction, he now owns 5,480 shares valued at approximately $4,402,522.40, reflecting a 14.11% decrease in his ownership. Company insiders currently own only 0.13% of the stock.

Company Performance and Metrics

The price of Eli Lilly stock opened at $784.78. The company maintains a fifty-day moving average price of $776.69 and a two-hundred day moving average of $849.41. The stock has fluctuated between a 1-year low of $624.68 and a high of $972.53. Eli Lilly currently has a market capitalization of $745.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 84.84, and a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.59. Other financial metrics include a current ratio of 1.27, a quick ratio of 0.97, and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.03.

Eli Lilly last announced its earnings results on October 30, reporting an EPS of $1.18 for the quarter, which fell short of analysts' expectations of $1.52. The company's revenue was $11.44 billion, below the consensus estimate of $12.09 billion. They achieved a net margin of 20.48% and a return on equity of 71.08%, reflecting a year-over-year revenue increase of 20.4%.

Dividend and Share Repurchase Program

The company has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.50, which will be payable on March 10 to investors on record as of February 14. This marks an increase from the previous dividend of $1.30, translating to an annualized dividend of $6.00 with a yield of 0.76%. The current dividend payout ratio sits at 56.22%.

Moreover, Eli Lilly's Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program on December 9 that allows for buying back up to $15 billion in shares, which may indicate that the board believes the stock is undervalued.

Company Overview

Eli Lilly and Company engages in discovering, developing, and marketing pharmaceuticals globally. Their product offerings include medications for diabetes and obesity, such as Basaglar, Humalog, and Trulicity.

Final Thoughts

As of now, Eli Lilly continues to attract significant attention from investors, with large institutional acquisitions and positive analyst ratings. Its ongoing financial maneuvers, including dividends and share buybacks, suggest a strong commitment to enhancing shareholder value.

MFA, Investment, EliLilly