Eli Lilly issues upbeat guidance for 2026 amid solid demand for weight-loss drugs

(Sharecast News) - Eli Lilly shares surged in pre-market trade on Wednesday after the US pharmaceutical firm struck an upbeat tone on the outlook for 2026, amid growing demand for its weight loss drugs. The company said fourth-quarter revenue rose 43% to $19.3bn, driven by volume growth from both Mounjaro and Zepbound.

Earnings per share were 51% higher at $7.39 on a reported basis, and 42% higher at $7.54 on a non-GAAP basis.

In Q4, worldwide Mounjaro revenue grew 110% to $7.4bn, while US revenue was 57% higher at $4.1bn. As far as Zepbound is concerned, US revenue jumped 122% to $4.2bn.

Lilly also issued guidance for 2026 on Wednesday. It expects revenue of between $80bn and $83bn and non-GAAP EPS of $33.50 to $35.00.

Chair and chief executive David A. Ricks said: "2025 was an important year for Lilly. We reached millions more patients - launching Inluriyo, expanding Mounjaro and Kisunla globally, and submitting orforglipron for approval. We expanded our manufacturing capacity, and through our US government agreement, opened new access to obesity medicines.

"Entering our 150th year with a deep pipeline and platforms like LillyDirect, we're positioned to reach more patients than ever and expand our global health impact."