Eli Lilly financials in line with expectations

US pharma major Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) reported financial results, showing that fourth-quarter 2015 revenue rose 5% to $5.38 billion from $5.12 billion, boosted by increased sales of its diabetes drugs and just beating analysts’ average expectations of $5.32 billion.

Net income rose to $478.4 million, or $0.45 per share, from $428.5 million, or $0.40 per share, a year earlier. Excluding special items, earnings per share were $0.78 cents, in line with the average analyst expectation, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. The company’s shares were barely changed following market opening.

For the full-year 2015, revenues were up 2% at $19.96 billion, with net income rising 1% to $2.41 billion and earnings per share up 1% to $2.26, or $3.43 excluding items, a rise of 13%.