Starter Stock Portfolio: 12 Safe Stocks to Buy

8. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY)

No. of Hedge Fund Holders: 115

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) is a global pharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and marketing human pharmaceuticals. The company offers a wide range of treatments across several therapeutic areas, with a portfolio that includes various insulin formulations under the Humalog and Humulin brands, as well as newer medications like Jardiance, Mounjaro, Trulicity, and Zepbound for obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) actively collaborates with other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including Incyte, Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, and others, to advance its research and development efforts across its diverse therapeutic pipeline. The company markets its products in the United States, Europe, China, Japan, and other international markets.

Eli Lilly and Company’s (NYSE:LLY) Q4 2024 earnings report revealed a topline of $13.53 billion, an EPS of $5.32, and an operating income of $5.6 billion. The pharmaceutical giant continues to deliver high-quality medicine to patients globally despite fears of supply chain constraints. Chairman & CEO David Ricks highlighted the company’s stellar 2024 performance during the most recent earnings call by stating:

“2024 was a productive year for Lilly. We grew our top line, advanced our pipeline, and invested in our supply chain to meet the increasing demand for our medicines. Most importantly, we delivered for patients by bringing life-changing medicines to more people around the world. In 2024, full year revenue grew 32% compared to 2023, exceeding our first time guidance by $4 billion. Revenue grew 45% in the most recent quarter.”

This shows that the company has proactively invested in its operations to improve supply chain hurdles. On top of that, Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) has made eight acquisitions and signed three agreements over the past 27 months, as per the company’s press releases. These begin from DICE Therapeutics in June of 2023 to the most recent, Scorpion Therapeutics, in January 2025. Analysts have a consensus on Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) twelve-month trading price of $1,010.47, which shows an upside of 35.64%. It is among the best beginner stocks to invest in.