Eli Lilly (LLY): Leveraging the Next GLP-1 Data Wave—A Tactical Swing Trade Into Late June 2025

Quick price snapshot
Why LLY Remains the Street’s Favourite Growth Pharma
Lilly’s Q1 2025 revenue surged 45 % y/y to $12.73 bn, powered by diabetes blockbuster Mounjaro and weight-loss juggernaut Zepbound. Management’s new 2025 sales guide—$58–61 bn, up 32 % at the midpoint—outpaces every megacap peer.
But the next leg is not just about existing GLP-1s; Lilly is about to broaden the franchise with oral and triple-agonist candidates that could dwarf injectable sales.
Catalyst Map: June Is Data-Heavy
- 22 June – Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) CV-Outcomes Readout. If the study confirms cardiovascular-mortality reduction, payors have a green light to expand coverage—unlocking a vast new addressable market.
- Mid-June – Orforglipron Phase III Top-Line. An oral GLP-1 removes the injection hurdle, potentially widening adoption dramatically.
- M&A kicker – SiteOne Therapeutics buyout. Bolt-on deals in pain and oncology create option value and keep the pipeline fresh.
These three catalysts fall within a 15-day window—ideal for a catalyst-driven swing.
Sentiment & Positioning
- Options skew: June monthly calls at $850 carry 10-point implied vol premium over puts, flagging bullish demand for upside exposure.
- Short interest: A negligible 0.7 % float short; rallies rarely face violent covering pressure, but dips quickly find buyers.
In sum, positioning is complacently long yet far from euphoric—plenty of room for a sentiment spike if data cooperates.
Technical Setup: Coil at All-Time Highs
Price printed a new ATH at $820.60 on 12 June before fading to $808. Daily ranges compressed into a narrow pennant since late May, bounded by $790 support (21-EMA + prior pivot) and $825 resistance. OBV rests near highs, suggesting no meaningful distribution.
Actionable Trade Levels
Parameter | Level | Rationale |
Entry zone | $800–810 intraday—the pennant’s lower half or a daily close above $820 | Captures relative value or confirmation breakout. |
Stop loss | $775 (below 50-SMA and April gap) | Protects capital if data disappoints. |
Target 1 | $870 | 1.0 × pennant pole ($820–$770) added to breakout point. |
Target 2 | $905 | 1.382 Fibonacci extension of the same pole; coincides with Street’s top price targets. |
Timeframe | 3–5 weeks | Aligns with data releases and expected post-readout re-rating. |
Risk-reward ≈ 1:2.4 to T1, 1:3.8 to T2—suitable for swing sizing.
Event-Driven Exit Strategy
Scenario | Action |
Positive CV-outcomes + Orforglipron efficacy | Trail stop to break-even once $845 prints; scale out 50 % at $870, let rest ride. |
Mixed data | Tighten stop to $790 and watch options IV crush; exit by end-June if momentum stalls. |
Negative safety signal | Hard exit at stop; do not average down—GLP-1 sentiment can flip fast. |
Risk Factors to Monitor
- Capacity constraints. Lilly has begun global contract-manufacturing expansions, but any new bottleneck headline could cap near-term upside.
- Insurance backlash. If major payors delay coverage despite positive data, revenue-run-rate models will reset lower.
- Macro rotation. A sharp defensive-to-cyclical sector rotation would drain flows from large-cap “safety growth” names like LLY.
Stay alert: while GLP-1 demand feels bulletproof, these stocks have zero room for execution error at 14× forward sales.
Final Take
Eli Lilly offers a high-conviction catalyst cluster inside a textbook high-tight pennant. Buying the $800–810 pocket or the first daily close above $820 sets up an asymmetric shot at $870–905 by mid-summer—a potential 8–12 % swing while risking roughly 3 %. Keep stops honest, respect the data calendar, and let the market’s love affair with GLP-1 innovation pay the rest.
Disclaimer: Information provided is not investment advice. Perform your own due diligence and manage risk accordingly.