While multinational pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) represents one of the top drugmakers in the world, that status alone hasn't exempted its equity from underperformance. In the past 52 weeks, LLY stock finds itself down almost 16%. Since the beginning of this year, LLY has barely poked its head above parity. Nevertheless, the statistical winds may point to an eventual recovery which options traders could potentially exploit.
Fundamentally, in the post-pandemic era, sentiment toward Eli Lilly skyrocketed thanks to its weight-loss drug. In 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Zepbound (tirzepatide), the first prescription medication for treating moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity. An injectable prescription medication that helps adults with other weight-related problems, Zepbound's clinical trials showed promising results.
