AVTR vs. LLY: Avantor vs. Eli Lilly Stock Comparison

November 11, 2026

How do Avantor (AVTR) and Eli Lilly (LLY) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Avantor (AVTR) and Eli Lilly (LLY) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but AVTR is classified in Life Sciences Tools & Services while LLY is classified in Pharmaceuticals.

Company profile comparison for Avantor (AVTR) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
Profile Item	AVTR	LLY
Name	Avantor, Inc.	Eli Lilly and Company
Country/Region	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Health Care	Health Care
GICS Industry Group	Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences	Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS Industry	Life Sciences Tools & Services	Pharmaceuticals
GICS Sub-Industry	Life Sciences Tools & Services	Pharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization	10.48 billion USD	1,206.07 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	May 17, 2019	June 1, 1972
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

AVTR

LLY

GSPC

Avantor (AVTR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Avantor (AVTR) and Eli Lilly (LLY). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Avantor (AVTR) and Eli Lilly (LLY). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Avantor (AVTR) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
Metric	AVTR	LLY
Total Return (1Y)	36.41%	52.36%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	-5.02%	34.18%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	-16.62%	41.08%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

AVTR

LLY

GSPC

Avantor (AVTR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Avantor (AVTR) and Eli Lilly (LLY). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Avantor (AVTR) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
Metric	AVTR	LLY
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	43.39%	35.34%
Beta (5Y)	0.94	0.40
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-82.42%	-34.48%
Avg. Volume (3M)	8.56M	2.52M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

AVTR and LLY are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Avantor (AVTR) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
Metric	AVTR	LLY
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	0.74	1.36
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	1.17	2.29

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Eli Lilly (LLY) at 86.02% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Avantor (AVTR) at 5.91% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for LLY.

AVTR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

5.91%

Max: 109.18%
Q3: 6.23%
AVTR: 5.91%
Median: -26.66%
Q1: -64.05%
Min: -167.77%

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

86.02%

Max: 109.18%
LLY: 86.02%
Q3: 6.23%
Median: -26.66%
Q1: -64.05%
Min: -167.77%

Avantor (AVTR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Eli Lilly (LLY) at 31.90% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s net margin range — and Avantor (AVTR) at 5.08% also retains a top-quartile share.

AVTR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

5.08%

Max: 18.05%
AVTR: 5.08%
Q3: 4.78%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -4.14%
Min: -17.05%

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

31.90%

LLY: 31.90%
Max: 18.05%
Q3: 4.78%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -4.14%
Min: -17.05%

Avantor (AVTR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Eli Lilly (LLY) at 53.66% operates in the top operating margin quartile, ahead of Avantor (AVTR) at 8.19%, which runs around its industry’s norm.

AVTR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

8.19%

Max: 83.12%
Q3: 14.77%
AVTR: 8.19%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -78.82%
Min: -207.40%

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

53.66%

Max: 83.12%
LLY: 53.66%
Q3: 14.77%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -78.82%
Min: -207.40%

Avantor (AVTR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Avantor (AVTR) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
Metric	AVTR	LLY
ROE (TTM)	5.91%	86.02%
ROA (TTM)	2.83%	21.06%
Net Margin (TTM)	5.08%	31.90%
Operating Margin (TTM)	8.19%	53.66%
Gross Margin (TTM)	31.59%	83.63%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Eli Lilly (LLY) at 44.70% is around its peer norm for revenue growth, while Avantor (AVTR) at -3.41% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker demand or pricing momentum.

Avantor (AVTR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Eli Lilly (LLY) at 95.99% sits in the top EPS growth quartile, while Avantor (AVTR) at -175.00% is in the bottom quartile, showing a clear gap in earnings momentum.

Avantor (AVTR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Avantor (AVTR) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
Metric	AVTR	LLY
Revenue Growth (YoY)	-3.41%	44.70%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	-4.46%	31.69%
EPS Growth (YoY)	-175.00%	95.99%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	--	51.71%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Avantor (AVTR) at 1.89 and Eli Lilly (LLY) at 1.39 run current ratio in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.

AVTR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.89

Max: 25.13
Q3: 12.13
Median: 5.52
Q1: 2.47
AVTR: 1.89
Min: 0.10

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.39

Max: 25.13
Q3: 12.13
Median: 5.52
Q1: 2.47
LLY: 1.39
Min: 0.10

Avantor (AVTR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Avantor (AVTR) at 0.63 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Eli Lilly (LLY) at 1.23 uses more debt funding than most peers.

AVTR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.63

Max: 1.42
Q3: 0.65
AVTR: 0.63
Median: 0.15
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.23

Max: 1.42
LLY: 1.23
Q3: 0.65
Median: 0.15
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00

Avantor (AVTR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Avantor (AVTR) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
Metric	AVTR	LLY
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.89	1.39
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	0.63	1.23
Net Debt / EBITDA	3.40	0.96

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Avantor (AVTR) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Eli Lilly (LLY) reports a yield of 0.49%, ranking against industry peers normally.

AVTR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

AVTR: 0.00%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.49%

LLY: 0.49%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Avantor (AVTR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Avantor (AVTR) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Eli Lilly (LLY) reports a payout of 21.71%, ranking against industry peers normally.

AVTR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

AVTR: 0.00%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

21.71%

LLY: 21.71%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Avantor (AVTR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Avantor (AVTR) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
Metric	AVTR	LLY
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	0.49%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	21.71%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Avantor (AVTR) at 30.94 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Eli Lilly (LLY) at 43.95 sits in the richer quartile — LLY needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.

AVTR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

30.94

Max: 85.34
Q3: 43.46
AVTR: 30.94
Median: 26.69
Q1: 13.30
Min: 0.07

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

43.95

Max: 85.34
LLY: 43.95
Q3: 43.46
Median: 26.69
Q1: 13.30
Min: 0.07

Avantor (AVTR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Avantor (AVTR) at 1.58 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Eli Lilly (LLY) at 13.95 prices around its industry’s middle — AVTR costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

AVTR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.58

Max: 58.18
Q3: 25.77
Median: 7.30
Q1: 3.01
AVTR: 1.58
Min: 0.01

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

13.95

Max: 58.18
Q3: 25.77
LLY: 13.95
Median: 7.30
Q1: 3.01
Min: 0.01

Avantor (AVTR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Avantor (AVTR) at 1.80 sits near its industry’s typical P/B ratio, while Eli Lilly (LLY) at 29.96 prices above its benchmark range — LLY looks rich relative to book.

AVTR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.80

Max: 13.53
Q3: 6.54
Median: 3.25
AVTR: 1.80
Q1: 1.69
Min: -5.59

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

29.96

LLY: 29.96
Max: 13.53
Q3: 6.54
Median: 3.25
Q1: 1.69
Min: -5.59

Avantor (AVTR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Avantor (AVTR) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
Metric	AVTR	LLY
P/E Ratio (TTM)	30.94	43.95
P/S Ratio (TTM)	1.58	13.95
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	1.80	29.96
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	4.21%	0.77%