ZNTL
Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$251M
5Y Perf.-92.2%
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Side-by-side financial analysisZNTL
LLY
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Stock Comparison
ZNTL vs LLY
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
LLY
Eli Lilly and Company
Drug Manufacturers - General
Market Cap$1.10T
5Y Perf.+590.1%
ZNTL vs LLY — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot |  ZNTL |  LLY |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Drug Manufacturers - General |
| Market Cap | $251M | $1.10T |
| Revenue (TTM) | $0.00 | $72.25B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-124M | $25.27B |
| Gross Margin | — | 83.5% |
| Operating Margin | — | 45.9% |
| Forward P/E | — | 31.7x |
| Total Debt | $40M | $42.50B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $36M | $7.16B |
ZNTL vs LLY — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
ZNTL
LLY
| Stock | Jun 20 | Jun 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zentalis Pharmaceut… (ZNTL) | 100 | 7.8 | -92.2% |
| Eli Lilly and Compa… (LLY) | 100 | 690.1 | +590.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ZNTL vs LLY
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: LLY leads in 4 of 5 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and capital preservation and lower volatility. Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
🥇LLY emerged as the overall leader. Track its performance:
ZNTL
Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
The Defensive Pick
ZNTL is the clearest fit if your priority is sleep-well-at-night.
- Lower volatility, beta 2.41, Low D/E 18.3%, current ratio 6.93x
- +137.8% vs LLY's +44.4%
Best for: sleep-well-at-night
LLY
Eli Lilly and Company
The Income Pick
LLY carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 11 yrs, beta 0.53, yield 0.5%
- Rev growth 44.7%, EPS growth 96.0%, 3Y rev CAGR 31.7%
- 15.2% 10Y total return vs ZNTL's -84.8%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth |  LLY | 44.7% revenue growth vs ZNTL's -100.0% |
| Stability / Safety | LLY | Beta 0.53 vs ZNTL's 2.41 |
| Dividends | LLY | 0.5% yield; 11-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) |  ZNTL | +137.8% vs LLY's +44.4% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | LLY | 22.7% ROA vs ZNTL's -40.7%, ROIC 41.8% vs -40.5% |
ZNTL vs LLY — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2024
FY 2025
ZNTL vs LLY — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLLLYLAGGINGZNTL
ZNTLZentalis Pharmaceutic…
1leads
LLYEli Lilly and Company
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs ZNTLMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
LLY1/1
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
ZNTL2/2
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
LLY5/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
LLY4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
LLY2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
LLY leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
LLY and ZNTL operate at a comparable scale, with $72.2B and $0 in trailing revenue.
| Metric | ZNTLZentalis Pharmace… | LLYEli Lilly and Com… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $0 | $72.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$144M | $34.7B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$124M | $25.3B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$126M | $13.6B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | — | +83.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | — | +45.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | — | +35.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | — | +18.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | +55.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +25.4% | +169.9% |
LLY leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Valuation Metrics
ZNTL leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ZNTLZentalis Pharmace… | LLYEli Lilly and Com… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $251M | $1.10T |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $254M | $1.13T |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -1.84x | 50.59x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 31.74x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.76x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 36.22x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | — | 16.83x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.17x | 39.29x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 122.26x |
ZNTL leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
LLY leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
LLY delivers a 101.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $101 in annual profit, vs $-54 for ZNTL. ZNTL carries lower financial leverage with a 0.18x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to LLY's 1.60x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), LLY scores 8/9 vs ZNTL's 1/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ZNTLZentalis Pharmace… | LLYEli Lilly and Com… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -53.6% | +101.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -40.7% | +22.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -40.5% | +41.8% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -48.5% | +46.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 1 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.18x | 1.60x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $4M | $35.3B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $36M | $7.2B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $40M | $42.5B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 35.68x |
LLY leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
LLY leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in LLY five years ago would be worth $52,914 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $627 for ZNTL. Over the past 12 months, ZNTL leads with a +137.8% total return vs LLY's +44.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors LLY at 38.3% vs ZNTL's -47.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ZNTLZentalis Pharmace… | LLYEli Lilly and Com… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +156.9% | +7.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +137.8% | +44.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -85.4% | +164.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -93.7% | +429.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -84.8% | +1522.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -47.4% | +38.3% |
LLY leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
LLY leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
LLY is the less volatile stock with a 0.53 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ZNTL's 2.41 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. LLY currently trades 98.2% from its 52-week high vs ZNTL's 50.6% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ZNTLZentalis Pharmace… | LLYEli Lilly and Com… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.41x | 0.53x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $6.95 | $1182.73 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $1.13 | $623.78 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +50.6% | +98.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 42.4 | 66.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.3M | 2.6M |
LLY leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates ZNTL as "Buy" and LLY as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 184.1% upside for ZNTL (target: $10) vs 9.1% for LLY (target: $1266). LLY is the only dividend payer here at 0.52% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ZNTLZentalis Pharmace… | LLYEli Lilly and Com… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $10.00 | $1266.17 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 12 | 45 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 11 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $6.00 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +0.4% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
LLY leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). ZNTL leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics).
Best OverallEli Lilly and Company (LLY)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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ZNTL vs LLY: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ZNTL or LLY a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) is the stronger pick with 44.
7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -100. 0% for Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ZNTL). Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) offers the better valuation at 50. 6x trailing P/E (31. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ZNTL) a "Buy" — based on 12 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which is the better long-term investment — ZNTL or LLY?
Over the past 5 years, Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) delivered a total return of +429.
1%, compared to -93. 7% for Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ZNTL). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: LLY returned +1522% versus ZNTL's -84. 8%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — ZNTL or LLY?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
53β versus Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 's 2. 41β — meaning ZNTL is approximately 351% more volatile than LLY relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ZNTL) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 18% versus 160% for Eli Lilly and Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — ZNTL or LLY?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) is pulling ahead at 44.
7% versus -100. 0% for Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ZNTL). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Eli Lilly and Company grew EPS 96. 0% year-over-year, compared to 18. 0% for Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
05Which has better profit margins — ZNTL or LLY?
Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) is the more profitable company, earning 31.
7% net margin versus 0. 0% for Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. — meaning it keeps 31. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: LLY leads at 45. 6% versus 0. 0% for ZNTL. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — LLY leads at 83. 8%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Is ZNTL or LLY more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ZNTL: 184.
1% to $10. 00.
07Which pays a better dividend — ZNTL or LLY?
In this comparison, LLY (0.
5% yield) pays a dividend. ZNTL does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
08Is ZNTL or LLY better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
53), 0. 5% yield, +1522% 10Y return). Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ZNTL) carries a higher beta of 2. 41 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (LLY: +1522%, ZNTL: -84. 8%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
09What are the main differences between ZNTL and LLY?
Both stocks operate in the Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: ZNTL is a small-cap quality compounder stock; LLY is a mega-cap high-growth stock. LLY pays a dividend while ZNTL does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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