Bank Of America: New Eli Lilly Data Is 'Game-Changing'


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  • Shares of Eli Lilly and Co (NYSE: LLY) surged on Thursday, touching a 52-week high of $89.52.
  • The move higher followed the release of positive data during the EASD conference.
  • Colin Bristow of Bank of America maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a price target boosted to $108 from a previous $101.
  • Eli Lilly and Co released data during the EASD conference showing that treatment with the company's SGLT2 inhibitor, Jardiance (empagliflozin), resulted in a 14 percent reduction in CV risk (3-point MACE; primary endpoint) in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial.

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    What The Results Indicate

    Commenting on the results, Colin Bristow of Bank of America noted that the magnitude of the benefit is above the 10 percent minimum KOLs believed to be necessary for clinical significance. The analyst added that "more importantly," the 14 percent CV risk reduction was driven by a "highly impressive" 38 percent reduction in CV death.

    Bristow continued that "equally as impressive" were the reductions in all-cause mortality and hospitalization due to heart failure, each of which KOLs viewed as paradigm changing.

    Bristow added that the data exceeded his already "bullish expectations" and should be considered as a "major positive" for the company. Moreover, the results are expected to result in a "meaningful" class growth, with Jardiance benefiting "significantly" compared to its peers given the next SGLT2 to show CV data will be Invokana in the first half of 2017.

    Updates

    Finally, Bristow is updating his peak Jardiance WW sales estimate given the "outstanding data" to $3.5 billion from a previous $950 million in 2020.

    Bottom line, Bristow reaffirmed Eli Lilly as his top-pick within the U.S. Major Pharma group given its "underappreciated" pipeline and "catalyst-rich" 12 months ahead.

    Shares remain Buy rated with a price target raised to $108 from a previous $101.

    Image Credit: Public Domain

    27% profit every 20 days?

    This is what Nic Chahine averages with his option buys. Not selling covered calls or spreads… BUYING options. Most traders don’t even have a winning percentage of 27% buying options. He has an 83% win rate. Here’s how he does it.


    Posted In: Analyst ColorBiotechLong IdeasHealth CareTop StoriesAnalyst RatingsTrading IdeasGeneralBank of AmericaColin BristowEASD ConferenceempagliflozinJardianceSGLT2 Inhibitor