Analysis of Short-term (Operating) Activity Ratios
Quarterly Data
Activity ratios measure how efficiently a company performs day-to-day tasks, such us the collection of receivables and management of inventory.
Short-term Activity Ratios (Summary)
Eli Lilly & Co., short-term (operating) activity ratios (quarterly data)
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31).
The analysis of short-term operating activity indicates a significant lengthening of the operational cycle and a general decline in asset turnover efficiency over the period from March 2022 to March 2026. The most pronounced changes are observed in inventory management and payment strategies, which have collectively expanded the cash conversion cycle.
- Inventory Management Efficiency
- A consistent downward trend in inventory turnover is evident, decreasing from 1.93 in March 2022 to 0.85 by March 2026. Correspondingly, the average inventory processing period has expanded substantially, rising from 189 days to 428 days. This trajectory suggests a significant increase in the time required to move products through the supply chain or a strategic accumulation of inventory levels that exceeds the rate of sales growth.
- Receivables and Payables Dynamics
- Receivables turnover has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between a high of 4.64 and a low of 3.53, with the average receivable collection period generally staying within the 80 to 100-day range. In contrast, payables turnover has shown a steady decline from 5.24 to 2.47. This is reflected in the average payables payment period, which more than doubled from 70 days in March 2022 to 148 days by March 2026, indicating a strategic shift toward extending payment terms with suppliers to preserve liquidity.
- Working Capital and Cycle Analysis
- Working capital turnover exhibits high volatility, with significant peaks and troughs, suggesting inconsistent relationship between net working capital and revenue generation. The operating cycle has lengthened dramatically, growing from 268 days to 521 days, driven primarily by the slower inventory turnover. Consequently, the cash conversion cycle has increased from 198 days in March 2022 to 373 days in March 2026, signifying a slower recovery of cash outflows associated with operations.
In summary, the operational profile is characterized by a marked deceleration in inventory movement and a corresponding extension of credit terms granted to suppliers. While the stability in receivables collection indicates consistent credit management, the overall increase in the cash conversion cycle points to reduced short-term operational liquidity efficiency.
AI Ask an analyst for more
Turnover Ratios
Average No. Days
Inventory Turnover
Eli Lilly & Co., inventory turnover calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | Sep 30, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 3,577) | 3,372) | 3,008) | 2,448) | 2,224) | 2,404) | 2,171) | 2,170) | 1,674) | 1,788) | 1,860) | 1,807) | 1,627) | 1,548) | 1,579) | 1,431) | 2,072) | ||||||
| Inventories | 14,529) | 13,744) | 12,180) | 11,014) | 9,311) | 7,589) | 7,460) | 6,482) | 6,102) | 5,773) | 4,901) | 4,799) | 4,545) | 4,310) | 3,831) | 3,899) | 3,893) | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inventory turnover1 | 0.85 | 0.80 | 0.83 | 0.84 | 0.96 | 1.11 | 1.05 | 1.16 | 1.17 | 1.23 | 1.40 | 1.37 | 1.36 | 1.54 | 1.86 | 1.79 | 1.93 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inventory Turnover, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| AbbVie Inc. | 3.65 | 3.68 | 3.65 | 3.42 | 3.71 | 4.04 | 4.09 | 4.86 | 4.83 | 4.98 | 4.74 | 4.30 | 4.53 | 4.87 | 5.54 | 4.99 | 4.96 | ||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 1.91 | 1.93 | 1.92 | 1.88 | 1.88 | 1.84 | 1.75 | 1.42 | 1.14 | 0.89 | 1.41 | 1.38 | 1.31 | 1.30 | 1.34 | 1.40 | 1.48 | ||||||
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 5.20 | 5.18 | 5.31 | 5.18 | 5.28 | 5.46 | 3.57 | 3.72 | 3.70 | 4.02 | 4.33 | 4.39 | 3.93 | 4.33 | 4.77 | 4.59 | 4.55 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 3.90 | 4.04 | 3.67 | 3.60 | 3.79 | 4.15 | 3.60 | 3.59 | 3.73 | 3.80 | 3.53 | 3.58 | 3.50 | 4.03 | 3.80 | 3.71 | 3.87 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | 3.21 | 3.51 | 3.47 | 3.40 | 3.55 | 3.66 | 3.62 | 3.33 | 3.59 | 3.64 | 3.49 | 3.45 | 3.57 | 3.75 | 4.71 | 4.50 | 4.50 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 2.13 | 2.13 | 2.08 | 2.17 | 2.24 | 2.21 | 2.15 | 2.20 | 2.32 | 2.37 | 2.46 | 2.23 | 2.36 | 2.49 | 2.68 | 2.69 | 2.77 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 2.65 | 2.46 | 2.27 | 2.25 | 2.43 | 2.49 | 2.45 | 2.39 | 2.42 | 2.54 | 2.63 | 2.66 | 2.72 | 2.95 | 3.10 | 3.06 | 2.74 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 1.57 | 1.51 | 1.46 | 1.52 | 1.60 | 1.65 | 1.66 | 2.05 | 2.15 | 2.45 | 2.65 | 2.31 | 3.07 | 3.82 | 3.62 | 3.66 | 3.67 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 0.74 | 0.66 | 0.64 | 0.64 | 0.63 | 0.64 | 0.64 | 0.65 | 0.66 | 0.70 | 0.72 | 0.69 | 0.67 | 0.65 | 0.83 | 0.96 | 1.27 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 4.87 | 4.85 | 4.47 | 4.57 | 4.82 | 5.06 | 4.62 | 4.83 | 4.93 | 5.06 | 4.83 | 4.64 | 4.62 | 4.60 | 4.29 | 4.03 | 3.87 | ||||||
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 0.95 | 0.98 | 0.99 | 1.06 | 1.14 | 1.27 | 1.37 | 1.53 | 1.65 | 1.71 | 1.71 | 1.90 | 2.06 | 2.35 | 2.69 | 2.70 | 2.83 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31).
1 Q1 2026 Calculation
Inventory turnover
= (Cost of salesQ1 2026
+ Cost of salesQ4 2025
+ Cost of salesQ3 2025
+ Cost of salesQ2 2025)
÷ Inventories
= (3,577 + 3,372 + 3,008 + 2,448)
÷ 14,529 = 0.85
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
An analysis of the operational activity indicates a significant decline in inventory management efficiency over the period from March 31, 2022, to March 31, 2026. While both the cost of sales and total inventory levels increased, the rate of inventory accumulation substantially outpaced the growth in costs of sales, leading to a sustained reduction in the inventory turnover ratio.
- Inventory Accumulation
- A consistent and aggressive increase in inventory levels is observed. Inventories grew from 3,893 million USD in March 2022 to 14,529 million USD by March 2026. This represents a nearly four-fold increase in held stock, with the most rapid acceleration occurring between December 2023 and March 2026, where balances rose from 5,773 million USD to over 14,000 million USD.
- Cost of Sales Dynamics
- The cost of sales exhibits a general upward trend, although it is characterized by more fluctuation than inventory levels. After an initial period of volatility in 2022, the cost of sales began a steady climb from 1,627 million USD in March 2023 to a peak of 3,577 million USD in March 2026. Despite this growth in volume, the increase was insufficient to offset the massive expansion of the inventory base.
- Inventory Turnover Trend
- The inventory turnover ratio demonstrates a clear and persistent downward trajectory. Starting at 1.93 in March 2022, the ratio declined steadily, breaking the 1.0 threshold in early 2025 and reaching 0.85 by March 2026. This trend indicates that inventory is remaining in the system for longer durations, signaling a reduction in the speed at which stock is converted into sales.
The divergence between the growth of inventory assets and the growth of the cost of sales suggests a strategic shift toward higher stockpiling or a potential misalignment between production levels and market demand. The compression of the turnover ratio below 1.0 in the final quarters of the analyzed period highlights a marked decrease in short-term operational liquidity related to inventory.
AI Ask an analyst for more
Receivables Turnover
Eli Lilly & Co., receivables turnover calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | Sep 30, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | 19,799) | 19,292) | 17,601) | 15,558) | 12,729) | 13,533) | 11,439) | 11,303) | 8,768) | 9,353) | 9,499) | 8,312) | 6,960) | 7,302) | 6,942) | 6,488) | 7,810) | ||||||
| Accounts receivable | 18,429) | 17,760) | 16,107) | 14,170) | 12,037) | 11,006) | 10,295) | 11,028) | 7,886) | 9,091) | 8,167) | 7,516) | 7,526) | 6,896) | 6,715) | 6,365) | 6,323) | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receivables turnover1 | 3.92 | 3.67 | 3.69 | 3.76 | 4.07 | 4.09 | 3.97 | 3.53 | 4.56 | 3.75 | 3.93 | 3.93 | 3.68 | 4.14 | 4.35 | 4.57 | 4.64 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receivables Turnover, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| AbbVie Inc. | 5.03 | 4.86 | 4.67 | 4.62 | 4.60 | 5.16 | 4.84 | 4.69 | 4.55 | 4.87 | 4.83 | 4.88 | 4.95 | 5.16 | 5.38 | 5.10 | 5.29 | ||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 3.88 | 3.67 | 4.06 | 3.85 | 4.03 | 4.72 | 4.26 | 4.26 | 4.16 | 3.70 | 4.17 | 4.34 | 4.34 | 4.46 | 4.60 | 4.62 | 4.81 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 6.49 | 6.28 | 6.46 | 6.74 | 6.79 | 6.75 | 6.77 | 7.15 | 7.02 | 6.09 | 6.15 | 6.64 | 6.89 | 6.40 | 7.09 | 6.81 | 6.87 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | 6.17 | 5.89 | 5.60 | 6.01 | 6.51 | 6.47 | 6.14 | 5.92 | 5.84 | 5.78 | 5.68 | 6.43 | 6.43 | 5.65 | 6.16 | 6.60 | 7.18 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 5.44 | 5.48 | 5.23 | 5.08 | 5.58 | 5.98 | 5.42 | 5.48 | 5.73 | 5.73 | 5.91 | 5.36 | 5.65 | 5.88 | 6.04 | 5.92 | 6.08 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 5.39 | 5.52 | 5.30 | 5.37 | 5.92 | 6.24 | 5.55 | 5.37 | 5.40 | 5.81 | 5.71 | 5.29 | 5.56 | 6.27 | 6.22 | 5.93 | 5.49 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 5.03 | 5.27 | 4.40 | 5.29 | 5.27 | 5.55 | 4.18 | 4.93 | 5.09 | 5.33 | 6.25 | 7.66 | 7.57 | 9.16 | 6.21 | 6.68 | 6.99 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 2.60 | 2.50 | 2.51 | 2.53 | 2.53 | 2.29 | 2.27 | 2.36 | 2.51 | 2.31 | 2.35 | 2.47 | 2.42 | 2.28 | 2.47 | 2.76 | 3.41 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 4.91 | 5.01 | 4.91 | 5.03 | 5.07 | 5.23 | 5.13 | 5.33 | 5.36 | 5.21 | 5.19 | 5.43 | 5.53 | 5.53 | 5.76 | 5.53 | 5.21 | ||||||
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 6.12 | 5.85 | 6.02 | 6.03 | 6.15 | 6.85 | 6.07 | 6.24 | 5.68 | 6.31 | 6.27 | 6.11 | 5.95 | 6.19 | 6.28 | 6.26 | 6.15 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31).
1 Q1 2026 Calculation
Receivables turnover
= (RevenueQ1 2026
+ RevenueQ4 2025
+ RevenueQ3 2025
+ RevenueQ2 2025)
÷ Accounts receivable
= (19,799 + 19,292 + 17,601 + 15,558)
÷ 18,429 = 3.92
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
Revenue exhibits a sustained and aggressive upward trajectory, increasing from 7,810 million USD in March 2022 to 19,799 million USD by March 2026. This expansion is accompanied by a significant rise in accounts receivable, which climbed from 6,323 million USD to 18,429 million USD over the same period, indicating a substantial increase in the volume of credit sales.
- Receivables Turnover Trend
- The receivables turnover ratio experienced an initial decline from 4.64 in March 2022 to a low of 3.68 in March 2023. Although a sharp recovery to 4.56 was observed in March 2024, the ratio subsequently entered a period of relative stability, fluctuating between 3.53 and 4.09 through March 2026. The final reported value of 3.92 suggests a stabilization of the collection cycle after the volatility seen in the prior three years.
- Revenue and Receivable Scaling
- Between March 2022 and March 2026, revenue increased by approximately 153%, while accounts receivable grew by approximately 191%. The fact that receivables grew at a faster rate than revenue accounts for the general compression of the turnover ratio over the long term. This pattern suggests that as the scale of operations expanded, the average time to collect payments increased slightly compared to the early 2022 baseline.
- Operational Efficiency Insights
- The volatility observed in 2023 and 2024, specifically the dip to 3.53 in June 2024 followed by a rise to 4.09 in December 2024, indicates periodic fluctuations in collection efficiency. However, the ability to maintain a turnover ratio near 4.0 despite the massive surge in quarterly revenue during 2025 and 2026 suggests that the company successfully scaled its credit management processes to keep pace with rapid growth.
AI Ask an analyst for more
Payables Turnover
Eli Lilly & Co., payables turnover calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | Sep 30, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 3,577) | 3,372) | 3,008) | 2,448) | 2,224) | 2,404) | 2,171) | 2,170) | 1,674) | 1,788) | 1,860) | 1,807) | 1,627) | 1,548) | 1,579) | 1,431) | 2,072) | ||||||
| Accounts payable | 5,029) | 5,379) | 4,262) | 4,076) | 3,442) | 3,229) | 2,887) | 2,925) | 2,474) | 2,599) | 2,435) | 2,474) | 2,016) | 1,931) | 1,683) | 1,659) | 1,433) | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payables turnover1 | 2.47 | 2.05 | 2.37 | 2.27 | 2.61 | 2.61 | 2.70 | 2.56 | 2.88 | 2.73 | 2.81 | 2.65 | 3.07 | 3.43 | 4.24 | 4.21 | 5.24 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payables Turnover, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 4.02 | 5.09 | 4.29 | 4.12 | 5.25 | 6.74 | 5.99 | 5.01 | 6.10 | 5.32 | 5.22 | 5.67 | 4.97 | 4.08 | 5.30 | 5.09 | 4.65 | ||||||
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 3.38 | 3.90 | 3.42 | 2.61 | 3.52 | 3.88 | 3.43 | 3.05 | 3.12 | 3.28 | 3.75 | 3.38 | 3.20 | 3.33 | 3.82 | 3.41 | 3.25 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 5.68 | 5.45 | 5.78 | 5.62 | 5.57 | 5.52 | 6.04 | 5.84 | 5.88 | 5.58 | 5.63 | 5.82 | 5.68 | 5.45 | 5.61 | 5.00 | 5.04 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | 9.52 | 8.72 | 7.66 | 10.65 | 8.47 | 7.50 | 7.49 | 12.57 | 10.69 | 11.81 | 9.90 | 9.06 | 8.99 | 6.25 | 11.22 | 11.89 | 11.43 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 2.96 | 2.52 | 3.06 | 3.07 | 2.97 | 2.66 | 3.03 | 3.03 | 3.23 | 2.76 | 3.29 | 2.75 | 3.05 | 2.66 | 3.08 | 3.15 | 3.26 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 4.44 | 3.72 | 3.53 | 3.82 | 3.98 | 3.72 | 4.26 | 4.39 | 4.48 | 4.11 | 4.59 | 4.58 | 4.34 | 4.08 | 5.16 | 4.86 | 4.25 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 3.72 | 3.07 | 3.32 | 3.44 | 3.30 | 3.17 | 3.67 | 4.60 | 4.19 | 3.72 | 5.07 | 3.92 | 4.78 | 5.04 | 5.49 | 6.17 | 6.66 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 2.24 | 2.24 | 2.30 | 2.83 | 2.84 | 2.50 | 3.87 | 3.32 | 2.67 | 2.99 | 3.43 | 3.14 | 2.69 | 2.65 | 3.74 | 4.00 | 5.39 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 8.00 | 7.27 | 8.23 | 8.53 | 8.25 | 8.18 | 9.63 | 9.85 | 9.91 | 8.97 | 10.41 | 10.82 | 9.35 | 7.67 | 9.93 | 8.84 | 7.96 | ||||||
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 3.44 | 3.58 | 3.83 | 3.59 | 3.49 | 3.71 | 3.73 | 4.27 | 3.81 | 3.46 | 3.13 | 3.16 | 3.41 | 3.55 | 8.23 | 5.01 | 5.52 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31).
1 Q1 2026 Calculation
Payables turnover
= (Cost of salesQ1 2026
+ Cost of salesQ4 2025
+ Cost of salesQ3 2025
+ Cost of salesQ2 2025)
÷ Accounts payable
= (3,577 + 3,372 + 3,008 + 2,448)
÷ 5,029 = 2.47
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
A sustained decline in the payables turnover ratio is observed from March 2022 through March 2026, indicating a lengthening of the payment cycle to suppliers.
- Cost of Sales Trends
- Cost of sales exhibited a general upward trajectory, increasing from 2,072 million USD in March 2022 to 3,577 million USD by March 2026. While there were intermittent fluctuations, a more pronounced acceleration in expenditure is evident from June 2024 onward, with values consistently exceeding 2,100 million USD per quarter in the latter half of the period.
- Accounts Payable Growth
- Accounts payable grew significantly and more consistently than the cost of sales, rising from 1,433 million USD in March 2022 to 5,029 million USD by March 2026. The growth in liabilities remained aggressive throughout the observed timeframe, with a notable peak reaching 5,379 million USD in December 2025.
- Payables Turnover Analysis
- The payables turnover ratio decreased from 5.24 in March 2022 to 2.47 in March 2026. The most rapid decline occurred during 2022, where the ratio dropped from 5.24 to 3.43. Throughout 2023 and 2024, the ratio stabilized between 2.56 and 3.07 before reaching a period low of 2.05 in December 2025. This downward trend confirms that the company is taking longer to settle its obligations to suppliers.
The divergence between the growth rate of accounts payable and the growth rate of the cost of sales suggests a strategic utilization of trade credit to finance operations. By extending the time taken to pay suppliers, the company has increased its current liabilities relative to its operating expenses, thereby preserving more internal liquidity.
AI Ask an analyst for more
Working Capital Turnover
Eli Lilly & Co., working capital turnover calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | Sep 30, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current assets | 54,835) | 55,629) | 62,071) | 49,854) | 41,261) | 32,740) | 31,415) | 30,204) | 25,189) | 25,727) | 23,007) | 21,332) | 20,811) | 18,035) | 17,640) | 17,115) | 16,965) | ||||||
| Less: Current liabilities | 36,634) | 35,228) | 40,141) | 39,020) | 30,068) | 28,377) | 24,674) | 27,121) | 18,598) | 27,293) | 21,998) | 18,915) | 16,010) | 17,138) | 15,653) | 15,621) | 13,386) | ||||||
| Working capital | 18,201) | 20,401) | 21,930) | 10,834) | 11,193) | 4,363) | 6,741) | 3,083) | 6,591) | (1,566) | 1,009) | 2,417) | 4,801) | 896) | 1,987) | 1,495) | 3,579) | ||||||
| Revenue | 19,799) | 19,292) | 17,601) | 15,558) | 12,729) | 13,533) | 11,439) | 11,303) | 8,768) | 9,353) | 9,499) | 8,312) | 6,960) | 7,302) | 6,942) | 6,488) | 7,810) | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Working capital turnover1 | 3.97 | 3.19 | 2.71 | 4.92 | 4.38 | 10.32 | 6.06 | 12.62 | 5.45 | — | 31.79 | 12.21 | 5.77 | 31.84 | 14.71 | 19.45 | 8.19 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Working Capital Turnover, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| AbbVie Inc. | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 5.44 | 9.85 | 5.66 | 5.35 | 8.36 | 5.40 | 4.83 | 5.19 | 3.39 | 2.25 | 0.81 | 0.84 | 0.82 | 3.82 | 2.52 | 3.67 | 4.34 | ||||||
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 5.84 | 7.83 | 6.20 | 8.09 | 6.87 | 7.79 | 8.49 | 12.50 | 15.56 | 4.60 | 10.47 | 5.53 | 5.55 | 8.30 | 5.75 | 4.92 | 6.24 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 3.83 | 4.13 | 7.39 | 5.71 | 8.27 | 8.85 | 8.73 | 8.10 | 3.60 | 4.22 | 2.18 | 3.08 | 3.81 | 4.20 | 5.00 | 5.43 | 5.91 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | 3.19 | 4.43 | 5.12 | 8.14 | 6.27 | 3.99 | 9.22 | 17.98 | 26.58 | 5.61 | 6.74 | 84.15 | 9.14 | 8.42 | 8.56 | 6.87 | 6.68 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 66.14 | 62.88 | 24.63 | 284.99 | 6.10 | 15.94 | 58.86 | 22.29 | 10.35 | 11.81 | 9.37 | 14.06 | 23.02 | — | 4.88 | 5.02 | 5.57 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 8.15 | 4.28 | 3.39 | 5.77 | 6.19 | 6.19 | 5.86 | 5.14 | 9.68 | 9.29 | 6.69 | 8.86 | 5.63 | 5.16 | 5.58 | 6.39 | 6.09 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 7.47 | 10.58 | 6.08 | 10.68 | 6.64 | 8.64 | 5,036.00 | — | 29.17 | — | 1.62 | 2.03 | 6.89 | 11.00 | 3.83 | 5.05 | 6.10 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 1.14 | 1.05 | 1.05 | 1.08 | 1.01 | 0.97 | 0.88 | 0.87 | 0.86 | 0.82 | 0.87 | 0.92 | 0.90 | 0.96 | 1.09 | 1.14 | 1.46 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 5.87 | 3.30 | 5.90 | 3.64 | 4.20 | 4.87 | 4.61 | 3.96 | 4.38 | 4.05 | 4.86 | 7.40 | 10.13 | 5.46 | 5.40 | 6.03 | 6.13 | ||||||
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 1.56 | 1.64 | 1.92 | 1.82 | 1.78 | 1.83 | 1.82 | 1.92 | 1.07 | 0.93 | 0.87 | 0.90 | 0.93 | 0.85 | 0.90 | 0.93 | 0.97 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31).
1 Q1 2026 Calculation
Working capital turnover
= (RevenueQ1 2026
+ RevenueQ4 2025
+ RevenueQ3 2025
+ RevenueQ2 2025)
÷ Working capital
= (19,799 + 19,292 + 17,601 + 15,558)
÷ 18,201 = 3.97
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The financial trajectory from March 2022 through March 2026 is characterized by a substantial expansion in revenue coupled with an aggressive increase in working capital, resulting in a marked compression of the working capital turnover ratio.
- Revenue Growth Trends
- Revenue demonstrates a consistent long-term upward trend, increasing from 7,810 million USD in March 2022 to 19,799 million USD by March 2026. This represents a significant expansion in the scale of operational output over the analyzed period.
- Working Capital Volatility and Expansion
- Working capital exhibits extreme volatility during the 2022-2023 period, including a descent into negative territory, reaching -1,566 million USD by December 2023. Following this trough, a period of rapid capital accumulation occurred throughout 2024 and 2025. Working capital surged from 6,591 million USD in March 2024 to a peak of 21,930 million USD in September 2025, before settling at 18,201 million USD by March 2026.
- Working Capital Turnover Interpretation
- The turnover ratio was highly volatile in the early stages of the analysis, with peaks as high as 31.84 occurring when working capital was minimal. However, as working capital expanded more rapidly than revenue during 2024 and 2025, the turnover ratio entered a sustained decline. The ratio fell from 12.62 in June 2024 to 3.97 by March 2026, indicating a decrease in the efficiency of working capital utilization to generate sales.
AI Ask an analyst for more
Average Inventory Processing Period
Eli Lilly & Co., average inventory processing period calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | Sep 30, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inventory turnover | 0.85 | 0.80 | 0.83 | 0.84 | 0.96 | 1.11 | 1.05 | 1.16 | 1.17 | 1.23 | 1.40 | 1.37 | 1.36 | 1.54 | 1.86 | 1.79 | 1.93 | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio (no. days) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average inventory processing period1 | 428 | 454 | 441 | 435 | 379 | 329 | 349 | 316 | 312 | 298 | 261 | 267 | 268 | 237 | 196 | 204 | 189 | ||||||
| Benchmarks (no. days) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Inventory Processing Period, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| AbbVie Inc. | 100 | 99 | 100 | 107 | 98 | 90 | 89 | 75 | 75 | 73 | 77 | 85 | 81 | 75 | 66 | 73 | 74 | ||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 191 | 189 | 190 | 194 | 195 | 199 | 209 | 257 | 321 | 411 | 259 | 265 | 279 | 281 | 272 | 260 | 247 | ||||||
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 70 | 70 | 69 | 70 | 69 | 67 | 102 | 98 | 99 | 91 | 84 | 83 | 93 | 84 | 76 | 79 | 80 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 94 | 90 | 99 | 101 | 96 | 88 | 101 | 102 | 98 | 96 | 104 | 102 | 104 | 91 | 96 | 98 | 94 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | 114 | 104 | 105 | 108 | 103 | 100 | 101 | 110 | 102 | 100 | 105 | 106 | 102 | 97 | 78 | 81 | 81 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 172 | 171 | 176 | 168 | 163 | 165 | 169 | 166 | 158 | 154 | 149 | 164 | 155 | 147 | 136 | 136 | 132 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 138 | 148 | 160 | 162 | 150 | 147 | 149 | 153 | 151 | 144 | 139 | 137 | 134 | 124 | 118 | 119 | 133 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 232 | 242 | 251 | 239 | 229 | 222 | 219 | 178 | 170 | 149 | 138 | 158 | 119 | 95 | 101 | 100 | 99 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 491 | 556 | 571 | 570 | 582 | 572 | 573 | 562 | 553 | 519 | 508 | 532 | 549 | 562 | 440 | 379 | 287 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 75 | 75 | 82 | 80 | 76 | 72 | 79 | 76 | 74 | 72 | 76 | 79 | 79 | 79 | 85 | 91 | 94 | ||||||
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 384 | 373 | 369 | 345 | 320 | 287 | 267 | 238 | 222 | 214 | 213 | 192 | 177 | 156 | 136 | 135 | 129 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31).
1 Q1 2026 Calculation
Average inventory processing period = 365 ÷ Inventory turnover
= 365 ÷ 0.85 = 428
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The analysis reveals a sustained decline in inventory efficiency over the observed period. There is a clear inverse correlation between the inventory turnover ratio and the average inventory processing period, indicating a systemic slowing in the rate at which inventory is converted into sales.
- Inventory Turnover Trends
- A consistent downward trajectory is observed in the inventory turnover ratio, which decreased from 1.93 in March 2022 to a low of 0.80 by December 2025. While a slight recovery to 0.85 occurred in March 2026, the overall trend reflects a significant reduction in the frequency of inventory replacement.
- Average Inventory Processing Period
- The number of days required to process inventory has increased substantially, rising from 189 days in March 2022 to a peak of 454 days in December 2025. This indicates that the time inventory remains on hand before being sold has more than doubled over the analyzed timeframe.
- Operational Cycle Analysis
- The processing period exhibited a steady climb throughout 2023 and 2024, with a more pronounced acceleration observed between March 2024 (312 days) and December 2025 (454 days). The marginal decrease to 428 days in March 2026 suggests a slight stabilization, though the processing period remains significantly elevated compared to the 2022 baseline.
AI Ask an analyst for more
Average Receivable Collection Period
Eli Lilly & Co., average receivable collection period calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | Sep 30, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receivables turnover | 3.92 | 3.67 | 3.69 | 3.76 | 4.07 | 4.09 | 3.97 | 3.53 | 4.56 | 3.75 | 3.93 | 3.93 | 3.68 | 4.14 | 4.35 | 4.57 | 4.64 | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio (no. days) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average receivable collection period1 | 93 | 99 | 99 | 97 | 90 | 89 | 92 | 103 | 80 | 97 | 93 | 93 | 99 | 88 | 84 | 80 | 79 | ||||||
| Benchmarks (no. days) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Receivable Collection Period, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| AbbVie Inc. | 73 | 75 | 78 | 79 | 79 | 71 | 75 | 78 | 80 | 75 | 76 | 75 | 74 | 71 | 68 | 72 | 69 | ||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 94 | 99 | 90 | 95 | 91 | 77 | 86 | 86 | 88 | 99 | 88 | 84 | 84 | 82 | 79 | 79 | 76 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 56 | 58 | 56 | 54 | 54 | 54 | 54 | 51 | 52 | 60 | 59 | 55 | 53 | 57 | 51 | 54 | 53 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | 59 | 62 | 65 | 61 | 56 | 56 | 59 | 62 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 57 | 57 | 65 | 59 | 55 | 51 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 67 | 67 | 70 | 72 | 65 | 61 | 67 | 67 | 64 | 64 | 62 | 68 | 65 | 62 | 60 | 62 | 60 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 68 | 66 | 69 | 68 | 62 | 58 | 66 | 68 | 68 | 63 | 64 | 69 | 66 | 58 | 59 | 62 | 66 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 73 | 69 | 83 | 69 | 69 | 66 | 87 | 74 | 72 | 69 | 58 | 48 | 48 | 40 | 59 | 55 | 52 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 140 | 146 | 146 | 144 | 144 | 160 | 161 | 155 | 146 | 158 | 156 | 148 | 151 | 160 | 148 | 132 | 107 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 74 | 73 | 74 | 73 | 72 | 70 | 71 | 68 | 68 | 70 | 70 | 67 | 66 | 66 | 63 | 66 | 70 | ||||||
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 60 | 62 | 61 | 61 | 59 | 53 | 60 | 58 | 64 | 58 | 58 | 60 | 61 | 59 | 58 | 58 | 59 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31).
1 Q1 2026 Calculation
Average receivable collection period = 365 ÷ Receivables turnover
= 365 ÷ 3.92 = 93
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The analysis of short-term operating activity indicates a general lengthening of the average receivable collection period between March 2022 and March 2026. While the period began at 79 days, it fluctuated significantly over the observed timeframe, ultimately settling at 93 days by the end of the period. This trend suggests a moderate decline in the efficiency of converting credit sales into cash.
- Average Receivable Collection Period Trends
- A progressive increase in collection time was observed throughout 2022, rising from 79 days in March to 88 days by December. This upward trend intensified in the first quarter of 2023, peaking at 99 days. A period of significant volatility occurred in 2024, characterized by a sharp contraction to 80 days in March, followed immediately by a peak of 103 days in June—the highest duration recorded in the analyzed period. In 2025, the collection period remained elevated, fluctuating between 90 and 99 days, before concluding at 93 days in March 2026.
- Receivables Turnover Correlation
- The receivables turnover ratio exhibits an inverse relationship with the collection period. A downward trend is observed from March 2022 (4.64) through March 2023 (3.68), reflecting the slowing pace of collections. The ratio experienced notable instability in 2024, spiking to 4.56 in March before dropping to its lowest point of 3.53 in June. Throughout 2025, the turnover ratio remained relatively depressed, oscillating between 3.67 and 3.76, indicating that the company operated with lower collection efficiency compared to the early 2022 baseline.
- Overall Operational Insight
- The data reveals a shift in the operational baseline for receivable management. The transition from a sub-80-day collection cycle in early 2022 to a cycle that frequently exceeds 90 days suggests either a change in credit terms offered to customers or a decrease in the effectiveness of collection efforts. The volatility observed in 2024 suggests intermittent fluctuations in billing cycles or specific large-scale payment timing that deviated from standard operational patterns.
AI Ask an analyst for more
Operating Cycle
Eli Lilly & Co., operating cycle calculation (quarterly data)
No. days
| Mar 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | Sep 30, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average inventory processing period | 428 | 454 | 441 | 435 | 379 | 329 | 349 | 316 | 312 | 298 | 261 | 267 | 268 | 237 | 196 | 204 | 189 | ||||||
| Average receivable collection period | 93 | 99 | 99 | 97 | 90 | 89 | 92 | 103 | 80 | 97 | 93 | 93 | 99 | 88 | 84 | 80 | 79 | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating cycle1 | 521 | 553 | 540 | 532 | 469 | 418 | 441 | 419 | 392 | 395 | 354 | 360 | 367 | 325 | 280 | 284 | 268 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Cycle, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| AbbVie Inc. | 173 | 174 | 178 | 186 | 177 | 161 | 164 | 153 | 155 | 148 | 153 | 160 | 155 | 146 | 134 | 145 | 143 | ||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 285 | 288 | 280 | 289 | 286 | 276 | 295 | 343 | 409 | 510 | 347 | 349 | 363 | 363 | 351 | 339 | 323 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 150 | 148 | 155 | 155 | 150 | 142 | 155 | 153 | 150 | 156 | 163 | 157 | 157 | 148 | 147 | 152 | 147 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | 173 | 166 | 170 | 169 | 159 | 156 | 160 | 172 | 164 | 163 | 169 | 163 | 159 | 162 | 137 | 136 | 132 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 239 | 238 | 246 | 240 | 228 | 226 | 236 | 233 | 222 | 218 | 211 | 232 | 220 | 209 | 196 | 198 | 192 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 206 | 214 | 229 | 230 | 212 | 205 | 215 | 221 | 219 | 207 | 203 | 206 | 200 | 182 | 177 | 181 | 199 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 305 | 311 | 334 | 308 | 298 | 288 | 306 | 252 | 242 | 218 | 196 | 206 | 167 | 135 | 160 | 155 | 151 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 631 | 702 | 717 | 714 | 726 | 732 | 734 | 717 | 699 | 677 | 664 | 680 | 700 | 722 | 588 | 511 | 394 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 149 | 148 | 156 | 153 | 148 | 142 | 150 | 144 | 142 | 142 | 146 | 146 | 145 | 145 | 148 | 157 | 164 | ||||||
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 444 | 435 | 430 | 406 | 379 | 340 | 327 | 296 | 286 | 272 | 271 | 252 | 238 | 215 | 194 | 193 | 188 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31).
1 Q1 2026 Calculation
Operating cycle = Average inventory processing period + Average receivable collection period
= 428 + 93 = 521
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The operating cycle exhibits a significant and sustained expansion over the period from March 31, 2022, to March 31, 2026. The total duration required to convert inventory into cash increased from 268 days to a peak of 553 days in December 2025, before moderating to 521 days by the end of the analyzed period. This trend indicates a substantial slowdown in the company's short-term asset turnover efficiency.
- Average Inventory Processing Period
- A pronounced upward trajectory is observed in the inventory processing period, which serves as the primary driver for the overall extension of the operating cycle. The period grew from 189 days in March 2022 to 454 days in December 2025. While growth was steady throughout 2022 and 2023, a more aggressive acceleration occurred between March 2024 (312 days) and December 2025. A slight reduction to 428 days was recorded in the final quarter, though the level remains significantly higher than the baseline.
- Average Receivable Collection Period
- The collection period remained relatively stable in comparison to inventory metrics, although a gradual increase is evident. Starting at 79 days in March 2022, the period fluctuated within a range of 79 to 103 days, ending at 93 days in March 2026. The volatility in this metric is minimal, suggesting that the company's credit and collection policies remained consistent despite the broader changes in the operating cycle.
- Operating Cycle Correlation
- The correlation between the operating cycle and the inventory processing period is nearly absolute. Because the receivable collection period remained comparatively flat, the expansion of the operating cycle from 268 to 521 days is almost entirely attributable to the increasing time required to move inventory through the production and sales pipeline. The peak of the cycle in December 2025 aligns precisely with the peak in inventory processing time.
AI Ask an analyst for more
Average Payables Payment Period
Eli Lilly & Co., average payables payment period calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | Sep 30, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payables turnover | 2.47 | 2.05 | 2.37 | 2.27 | 2.61 | 2.61 | 2.70 | 2.56 | 2.88 | 2.73 | 2.81 | 2.65 | 3.07 | 3.43 | 4.24 | 4.21 | 5.24 | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio (no. days) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average payables payment period1 | 148 | 178 | 154 | 161 | 140 | 140 | 135 | 142 | 127 | 134 | 130 | 138 | 119 | 106 | 86 | 87 | 70 | ||||||
| Benchmarks (no. days) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Payables Payment Period, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 91 | 72 | 85 | 89 | 70 | 54 | 61 | 73 | 60 | 69 | 70 | 64 | 73 | 90 | 69 | 72 | 78 | ||||||
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 108 | 94 | 107 | 140 | 104 | 94 | 106 | 120 | 117 | 111 | 97 | 108 | 114 | 109 | 96 | 107 | 112 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 64 | 67 | 63 | 65 | 66 | 66 | 60 | 63 | 62 | 65 | 65 | 63 | 64 | 67 | 65 | 73 | 72 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | 38 | 42 | 48 | 34 | 43 | 49 | 49 | 29 | 34 | 31 | 37 | 40 | 41 | 58 | 33 | 31 | 32 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 123 | 145 | 119 | 119 | 123 | 137 | 120 | 121 | 113 | 132 | 111 | 133 | 120 | 137 | 118 | 116 | 112 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 82 | 98 | 103 | 95 | 92 | 98 | 86 | 83 | 81 | 89 | 80 | 80 | 84 | 89 | 71 | 75 | 86 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 98 | 119 | 110 | 106 | 110 | 115 | 99 | 79 | 87 | 98 | 72 | 93 | 76 | 72 | 66 | 59 | 55 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 163 | 163 | 158 | 129 | 129 | 146 | 94 | 110 | 137 | 122 | 106 | 116 | 136 | 138 | 98 | 91 | 68 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 46 | 50 | 44 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 38 | 37 | 37 | 41 | 35 | 34 | 39 | 48 | 37 | 41 | 46 | ||||||
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 106 | 102 | 95 | 102 | 105 | 98 | 98 | 85 | 96 | 106 | 117 | 115 | 107 | 103 | 44 | 73 | 66 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31).
1 Q1 2026 Calculation
Average payables payment period = 365 ÷ Payables turnover
= 365 ÷ 2.47 = 148
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The analysis of the operating activity ratios reveals a consistent expansion in the duration of supplier payments and a corresponding decline in the efficiency of payables turnover from March 2022 through March 2026.
- Payables Turnover Trends
- A sustained downward trend is observed in the payables turnover ratio, which decreased from 5.24 in March 2022 to a low of 2.05 by December 2025. The most significant contraction occurred between March 2022 and June 2023, after which the ratio stabilized within a range of 2.05 to 2.88. This decline indicates a reduction in the frequency with which the company settles its short-term obligations to suppliers.
- Average Payables Payment Period Expansion
- The average time taken to settle accounts payable grew substantially over the analyzed period. Starting at 70 days in March 2022, the payment period increased to 106 days by December 2022 and peaked at 178 days in December 2025. While there was a correction to 148 days by March 2026, the overall trajectory demonstrates a significant shift toward extended payment terms.
- Operating Liquidity and Cash Management
- The inverse correlation between the decreasing turnover ratio and the increasing payment period suggests a strategic movement to defer cash outflows. By extending the payment cycle—specifically moving from a 70-day cycle to a peak of 178 days—the company has effectively increased its available working capital and improved its short-term liquidity position through the utilization of supplier credit.
AI Ask an analyst for more
Cash Conversion Cycle
Eli Lilly & Co., cash conversion cycle calculation (quarterly data)
No. days
| Mar 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | Sep 30, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average inventory processing period | 428 | 454 | 441 | 435 | 379 | 329 | 349 | 316 | 312 | 298 | 261 | 267 | 268 | 237 | 196 | 204 | 189 | ||||||
| Average receivable collection period | 93 | 99 | 99 | 97 | 90 | 89 | 92 | 103 | 80 | 97 | 93 | 93 | 99 | 88 | 84 | 80 | 79 | ||||||
| Average payables payment period | 148 | 178 | 154 | 161 | 140 | 140 | 135 | 142 | 127 | 134 | 130 | 138 | 119 | 106 | 86 | 87 | 70 | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash conversion cycle1 | 373 | 375 | 386 | 371 | 329 | 278 | 306 | 277 | 265 | 261 | 224 | 222 | 248 | 219 | 194 | 197 | 198 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash Conversion Cycle, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 194 | 216 | 195 | 200 | 216 | 222 | 234 | 270 | 349 | 441 | 277 | 285 | 290 | 273 | 282 | 267 | 245 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 86 | 81 | 92 | 90 | 84 | 76 | 95 | 90 | 88 | 91 | 98 | 94 | 93 | 81 | 82 | 79 | 75 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | 135 | 124 | 122 | 135 | 116 | 107 | 111 | 143 | 130 | 132 | 132 | 123 | 118 | 104 | 104 | 105 | 100 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 116 | 93 | 127 | 121 | 105 | 89 | 116 | 112 | 109 | 86 | 100 | 99 | 100 | 72 | 78 | 82 | 80 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 124 | 116 | 126 | 135 | 120 | 107 | 129 | 138 | 138 | 118 | 123 | 126 | 116 | 93 | 106 | 106 | 113 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 207 | 192 | 224 | 202 | 188 | 173 | 207 | 173 | 155 | 120 | 124 | 113 | 91 | 63 | 94 | 96 | 96 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 468 | 539 | 559 | 585 | 597 | 586 | 640 | 607 | 562 | 555 | 558 | 564 | 564 | 584 | 490 | 420 | 326 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 103 | 98 | 112 | 110 | 104 | 97 | 112 | 107 | 105 | 101 | 111 | 112 | 106 | 97 | 111 | 116 | 118 | ||||||
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 338 | 333 | 335 | 304 | 274 | 242 | 229 | 211 | 190 | 166 | 154 | 137 | 131 | 112 | 150 | 120 | 122 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31).
1 Q1 2026 Calculation
Cash conversion cycle = Average inventory processing period + Average receivable collection period – Average payables payment period
= 428 + 93 – 148 = 373
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The cash conversion cycle exhibits a sustained expansion over the analyzed period, increasing from 198 days in March 2022 to 373 days by March 2026. This trend indicates a significant lengthening of the time required to convert resource inputs into cash flows from sales, suggesting a substantial shift in working capital dynamics.
- Average Inventory Processing Period
- A substantial and consistent increase is observed in the time required to move inventory. The period rose from 189 days in March 2022 to a peak of 454 days in September 2025, eventually settling at 428 days in March 2026. The most aggressive acceleration occurred between December 2023 and June 2025, where the period climbed from 298 to 435 days, representing the primary driver of the overall cash conversion cycle expansion.
- Average Receivable Collection Period
- This metric remained the most stable component of the operating cycle. Although it fluctuated between a low of 79 days in March 2022 and a peak of 103 days in June 2024, it ended the period at 93 days in March 2026. The relatively narrow range of fluctuation suggests that credit and collection policies have remained consistent despite changes in other operational areas.
- Average Payables Payment Period
- An upward trend is evident in the time taken to settle obligations with suppliers. The payment period expanded from 70 days in March 2022 to 148 days in March 2026, reaching a maximum of 178 days in December 2025. This extension indicates an increased reliance on trade credit to finance operations, which serves as a partial offset to the cash tied up in inventory.
- Cash Conversion Cycle Synthesis
- The overall expansion of the cash conversion cycle is overwhelmingly attributed to the surge in the inventory processing period. While the increase in the payables payment period provided some mitigation, it was insufficient to counteract the slowing inventory turnover. The cycle's progression from approximately 200 days to over 370 days reflects a significant increase in the company's working capital investment requirements over the four-year period.
AI Ask an analyst for more