Eli Lilly (LLY, Financial) just pre-announced a $1.57 billion pre-tax charge related to acquired in-process R&D, which is expected to weigh down Q1 2025 earnings by $1.57 per share. The Indiana-based drugmaker hasn't finalized its numbers for the quarter ended March 31, but it's already signaling that this one-time expense will make a noticeable dent in both GAAP and non-GAAP results. What's driving this move? A bigger bet on future drug development—doubling down on pipeline innovation, even if it means taking short-term pain.
And yet, Wall Street isn't flinching. Analysts are still projecting earnings of $4.70 per share on $12.8 billion in revenue. The consensus rating remains a solid Buy, with many seeing this R&D investment as a long-term positive. The only outlier? Seeking Alpha's Quant System, which has downgraded the stock to Hold—possibly reflecting near-term valuation pressure more than a true shift in fundamentals.
Big picture: Lilly's pushing chips forward. The $1.57B charge isn't just an accounting line—it's a statement of intent. With obesity and Alzheimer's franchises gaining traction and a robust pipeline in play, investors willing to zoom out beyond this quarter may find this dip worth leaning into.
