Howard Capital Management Inc. Has $5.81 Million Stock Holdings in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY)

Howard Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) by 5.5% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 7,530 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 392 shares during the period. Howard Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $5,813,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Wealthspire Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 23.8% during the fourth quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC now owns 8,709 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,724,000 after purchasing an additional 1,672 shares in the last quarter. Cohen Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 8.7% during the 4th quarter. Cohen Capital Management Inc. now owns 338 shares of the company’s stock worth $261,000 after buying an additional 27 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter worth about $2,516,000. LWM Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 2.4% during the 4th quarter. LWM Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,844 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,424,000 after buying an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Finally, TCW Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 8.7% during the 4th quarter. TCW Group Inc. now owns 12,589 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,719,000 after purchasing an additional 1,011 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.53% of the company’s stock.

Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:LLY opened at $874.12 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $828.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 74.65, a PEG ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.00, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 0.97. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $801.33 and a 200 day simple moving average of $847.13. Eli Lilly and Company has a one year low of $711.40 and a one year high of $972.53.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $5.32 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $5.45 by ($0.13). Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 23.51% and a return on equity of 85.24%. Research analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Eli Lilly and Company declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback plan on Monday, December 9th that allows the company to repurchase $15.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to purchase up to 2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often an indication that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 14th will be given a $1.50 dividend. This is a boost from Eli Lilly and Company’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.30. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.69%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 14th. Eli Lilly and Company’s dividend payout ratio is 51.24%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Citigroup lowered their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,250.00 to $1,190.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 28th. Leerink Partners set a $950.00 price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Friday, January 17th. Bank of America reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $997.00 price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Berenberg Bank set a $970.00 price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Eli Lilly and Company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $1,000.28.

Eli Lilly and Company Profile

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.