Eli Lilly (LLY) vs. Microsoft (MSFT)
This page compares Eli Lilly (LLY) with Microsoft (MSFT) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.
Company Profile
Eli Lilly (LLY) is classified in the Health Care sector (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences), whereas Microsoft (MSFT) belongs to Information Technology (Software & Services) — their GICS classifications point to very different parts of the market.
| Symbol | LLY | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Eli Lilly and Company | Microsoft Corp. |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry Group | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | Software & Services |
| GICS Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Software |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Systems Software |
| Market Capitalization | 1,020.76 billion USD | 2,996.70 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | June 1, 1972 | March 13, 1986 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
Both Eli Lilly (LLY) at 40.65 and Microsoft (MSFT) at 24.01 post Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on trailing earnings multiple.
LLY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
40.65
- Max
- 86.12
- Q3
- 44.09
- Median
- 25.14
- Q1
- 14.77
- Min
- 1.59
MSFT
Software & Services industry group
24.01
- Max
- 108.25
- Q3
- 55.55
- Median
- 31.70
- Q1
- 15.92
- Min
- 0.36
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
Eli Lilly (LLY) at 14.13 is priced about in line with its industry on Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM), while Microsoft (MSFT) at 9.42 sits in the pricier quartile — MSFT costs more per dollar of sales.
LLY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
14.13
- Max
- 41.86
- Q3
- 22.86
- Median
- 6.80
- Q1
- 3.35
- Min
- 0.01
MSFT
Software & Services industry group
9.42
- Max
- 18.52
- Q3
- 9.02
- Median
- 4.01
- Q1
- 2.11
- Min
- 0.02
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
Microsoft (MSFT) at 7.23 sits near its industry’s typical Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ), while Eli Lilly (LLY) at 32.78 prices above its benchmark range — LLY looks rich relative to book.
LLY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
32.78
- Max
- 12.97
- Q3
- 6.18
- Median
- 3.45
- Q1
- 1.62
- Min
- -4.60
MSFT
Software & Services industry group
7.23
- Max
- 17.39
- Q3
- 8.16
- Median
- 4.00
- Q1
- 1.95
- Min
- -6.56
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | LLY | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 40.65 | 24.01 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 14.13 | 9.42 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 32.78 | 7.23 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield | 0.90% | 1.24% |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Eli Lilly (LLY) leads with Return on Equity (TTM) of 107.46%, above its industry benchmark range, while Microsoft (MSFT) at 34.01% also ranks strongly in the top quartile.
LLY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
107.46%
- Max
- 100.65%
- Q3
- 3.39%
- Median
- -31.16%
- Q1
- -61.60%
- Min
- -158.89%
MSFT
Software & Services industry group
34.01%
- Max
- 58.77%
- Q3
- 16.77%
- Median
- 5.20%
- Q1
- -16.00%
- Min
- -63.05%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
Eli Lilly (LLY) at 34.99% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s Net Profit Margin (TTM) range — and Microsoft (MSFT) at 39.34% also retains a top-quartile share.
LLY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
34.99%
- Max
- 13.81%
- Q3
- 4.07%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -3.07%
- Min
- -13.58%
MSFT
Software & Services industry group
39.34%
- Max
- 44.20%
- Q3
- 15.06%
- Median
- 3.32%
- Q1
- -6.49%
- Min
- -34.99%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Both Eli Lilly (LLY) at 49.39% and Microsoft (MSFT) at 46.33% squeeze more operating profit from each sales dollar than most peers, ranking in the top Operating Profit Margin (TTM) quartile of their industries.
LLY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
49.39%
- Max
- 100.30%
- Q3
- 4.94%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -133.46%
- Min
- -337.81%
MSFT
Software & Services industry group
46.33%
- Max
- 60.45%
- Q3
- 16.49%
- Median
- 4.46%
- Q1
- -12.92%
- Min
- -54.21%
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | LLY | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 107.46% | 34.01% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 20.74% | 14.81% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 34.99% | 39.34% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 49.39% | 46.33% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 82.83% | 68.31% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | LLY | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Revenue Growth | 44.70% | 14.93% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 31.69% | 12.42% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | LLY | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year EPS Growth | 95.99% | 15.59% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 51.71% | 12.23% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Microsoft (MSFT) at 1.28 keeps Current Ratio (MRQ) within its industry mid-range, while Eli Lilly (LLY) at 1.50 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for LLY.
LLY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.50
- Max
- 24.81
- Q3
- 11.75
- Median
- 5.47
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- 0.23
MSFT
Software & Services industry group
1.28
- Max
- 5.55
- Q3
- 2.88
- Median
- 1.73
- Q1
- 1.07
- Min
- 0.03
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
Microsoft (MSFT) at 0.30 carries Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) around its industry mid-range, while Eli Lilly (LLY) at 1.39 sits in the higher-leverage quartile.
LLY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.39
- Max
- 1.60
- Q3
- 0.69
- Median
- 0.16
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
MSFT
Software & Services industry group
0.30
- Max
- 2.31
- Q3
- 1.06
- Median
- 0.32
- Q1
- 0.06
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | LLY | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.50 | 1.28 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.39 | 0.30 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.05 | 0.26 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both Eli Lilly (LLY) at 0.60% and Microsoft (MSFT) at 0.90% report Dividend Yield (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on cash yield relative to share price.
LLY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.60%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MSFT
Software & Services industry group
0.90%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both Eli Lilly (LLY) at 22.13% and Microsoft (MSFT) at 20.73% post Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) outside their industries’ typical mid-range — either leaning toward more retention or more distribution than the industry median.
LLY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
22.13%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MSFT
Software & Services industry group
20.73%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividends at a Glance
| Symbol | LLY | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.60% | 0.90% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 22.13% | 20.73% |
Performance & Risk
Performance & Risk at a Glance
| Symbol | LLY | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Return | 50.32% | -11.77% |
| 1-Year Volatility | 38.24% | 25.35% |
| Beta | 0.51 | 1.12 |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.15M | 34.45M |