Eli Lilly (LLY) vs Pfizer (PFE)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Eli Lilly (LLY) has outperformed Pfizer (PFE) over the past year, gaining 38.3% versus a gain of 8.3%. Over five years, LLY leads with a +391.7% price change compared with -32.9% for PFE. Eli Lilly is the larger company by market cap ($1.04 trillion vs $158.56 billion), about 6.6 times the size.
On valuation, Pfizer trades at a lower forward P/E (9.6x vs 24.6x for Eli Lilly). Pfizer offers the higher dividend yield (6.18% vs 0.55%). Eli Lilly converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 31.7% versus 12.4%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | LLY | PFE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $1,169.60 | $27.82 |
| Market cap | $1.04T | $158.56B |
| 1-day change | -1.61% | -0.64% |
| YTD return | +8.83% | +11.73% |
| 1-year return | +38.30% | +8.33% |
| 5-year return | +391.68% | -32.95% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 39.26 | 36.61 |
| Forward P/E | 24.58 | 9.60 |
| EPS (TTM) | $29.79 | $0.76 |
| Dividend yield | 0.55% | 6.18% |
| Annual dividend | $6.46 | $1.72 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $65.18B | $62.58B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +44.70% | -1.65% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $20.64B | $7.77B |
| Gross margin | 83.04% | 74.33% |
| Net margin | 31.67% | 12.42% |
| 52-week high | $1,292.65 | $29.21 |
| 52-week low | $783.85 | $23.62 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.52% | -4.76% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +13.65% | +3.92% |
| Average volume | 2.47M | 35.94M |
| Shares outstanding | 891.74M | 5.70B |
| Employees | 50,000 | 75,000 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations | Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Eli Lilly is about 6.6 times larger than Pfizer by market value ($1.04T vs $158.56B).
- LLY has outperformed PFE by 30.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Pfizer offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (6.18% vs 0.55%).
- Eli Lilly is more profitable, keeping 31.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 12.4 cents for Pfizer.
- Eli Lilly grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+44.70% vs -1.65%).
About Eli Lilly
LLY stock →Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets human pharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, China, Japan, and internationally. The company offers cardiometabolic health products, including 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, Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 50,000 employees
About Pfizer
PFE stock →Pfizer Inc. discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States and internationally.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 75,000 employees
LLY vs PFE FAQ
Which is bigger, Eli Lilly or Pfizer?
Eli Lilly (LLY) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.04T compared with $158.56B for Pfizer (PFE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, LLY or PFE?
LLY returned +38.30% over the past 12 months, compared with +8.33% for PFE (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, LLY or PFE?
PFE has the lower trailing P/E at 36.6, versus 39.3 for LLY. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Eli Lilly or Pfizer?
Pfizer has the higher yield at 6.18%, compared with 0.55% for Eli Lilly.
Are Eli Lilly and Pfizer in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.