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GSK vs. LLY: GSK vs. Eli Lilly Stock Comparison

How do GSK (GSK) 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

GSK (GSK) and Eli Lilly (LLY) are both classified in the Pharmaceuticals sub-industry within the broader Pharmaceuticals industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

Eli Lilly (LLY) trades as ordinary local shares, while GSK (GSK) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.

Company profile comparison for GSK (GSK) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
Profile ItemGSKLLY
NameGSK plc ADREli Lilly and Company
Country/RegionUnited KingdomUnited States
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life SciencesPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryPharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals
GICS Sub-IndustryPharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization100.88 billion USD1,206.07 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateMarch 28, 1980June 1, 1972
Security TypeADRCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

GSK
LLY
GSPC
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GSK (GSK) 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 GSK (GSK) and Eli Lilly (LLY). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for GSK (GSK) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
MetricGSKLLY
Total Return (1Y)13.73%52.36%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)18.65%34.18%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)7.97%41.08%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

GSK
LLY
GSPC
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GSK (GSK) 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 GSK (GSK) and Eli Lilly (LLY). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for GSK (GSK) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
MetricGSKLLY
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)26.25%35.34%
Beta (5Y)0.310.40
Max Drawdown (5Y)-37.63%-34.48%
Avg. Volume (3M)4.05M2.52M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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GSK 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 GSK (GSK) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
MetricGSKLLY
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.361.36
Sortino Ratio (1Y)0.562.29

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both GSK (GSK) at 28.27% and Eli Lilly (LLY) at 86.02% sit in the top peer quartile for ROE, suggesting each generates more profit from shareholders’ equity than typical industry peers.

GSK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

28.27%

Max
109.18%
GSK
28.27%
Q3
6.23%
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%
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GSK (GSK) 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 GSK (GSK) at 12.97% also retains a top-quartile share.

GSK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

12.97%

Max
18.05%
GSK
12.97%
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%
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GSK (GSK) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both GSK (GSK) at 32.14% and Eli Lilly (LLY) at 53.66% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.

GSK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

32.14%

Max
83.12%
GSK
32.14%
Q3
14.77%
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%
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GSK (GSK) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for GSK (GSK) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
MetricGSKLLY
ROE (TTM)28.27%86.02%
ROA (TTM)9.24%21.06%
Net Margin (TTM)12.97%31.90%
Operating Margin (TTM)32.14%53.66%
Gross Margin (TTM)73.79%83.63%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both GSK (GSK) at 4.11% and Eli Lilly (LLY) at 44.70% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

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

EPS Growth

Both GSK (GSK) at 123.15% and Eli Lilly (LLY) at 95.99% sit in the top peer quartile for EPS growth, so each is compounding per-share earnings faster than typical industry peers.

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

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for GSK (GSK) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
MetricGSKLLY
Revenue Growth (YoY)4.11%44.70%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)3.66%31.69%
EPS Growth (YoY)123.15%95.99%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)-27.63%51.71%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both GSK (GSK) at 0.86 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.

GSK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.86

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
Q1
2.47
GSK
0.86
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
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GSK (GSK) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both GSK (GSK) at 1.30 and Eli Lilly (LLY) at 1.23 lean more heavily on debt funding than most peers, landing in the higher-leverage quartile of their industries.

GSK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.30

Max
1.42
GSK
1.30
Q3
0.65
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
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GSK (GSK) 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 GSK (GSK) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
MetricGSKLLY
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.861.39
Debt / Equity (MRQ)1.301.23
Net Debt / EBITDA1.880.96

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both GSK (GSK) at 1.57% and Eli Lilly (LLY) at 0.49% yield above their industries’ entire benchmark ranges — high enough that dividend safety, not income, becomes the first question.

GSK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.57%

GSK
1.57%
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%
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GSK (GSK) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Both GSK (GSK) at 63.33% and Eli Lilly (LLY) at 21.71% pay out more of their earnings than any of their industry peers — the thinnest cover in their groups, so dividend headroom deserves attention.

GSK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

63.33%

GSK
63.33%
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%
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GSK (GSK) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for GSK (GSK) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
MetricGSKLLY
Dividend Yield (TTM)1.57%0.49%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)63.33%21.71%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

GSK (GSK) at 17.54 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.

GSK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

17.54

Max
85.34
Q3
43.46
Median
26.69
GSK
17.54
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
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GSK (GSK) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

GSK (GSK) at 3.01 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Eli Lilly (LLY) at 13.95 prices around its industry’s middle — GSK costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

GSK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

3.01

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
Median
7.30
Q1
3.01
GSK
3.01
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
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GSK (GSK) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

GSK (GSK) at 4.02 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.

GSK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

4.02

Max
13.53
Q3
6.54
GSK
4.02
Median
3.25
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
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GSK (GSK) 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 GSK (GSK) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
MetricGSKLLY
P/E Ratio (TTM)17.5443.95
P/S Ratio (TTM)3.0113.95
P/B Ratio (MRQ)4.0229.96
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)5.28%0.77%