When in search of funding inspiration, it is an important concept to think about what a few of the world’s most profitable traders are doing. Every one among their strikes is probably not proper to your explicit funding technique, however you could discover sure ones that supply simply what you are in search of. If you are in search of a low-risk progress inventory that additionally occurs to be outperforming the S&P 500 (^GSPC -0.33%) to this point this 12 months, it is time to contemplate a current transfer made by three billionaires.
Stanley Druckenmiller of the Duquesne Household Workplace, Chase Coleman of Tiger International Administration, and Stephen Mandel Jr. of Lone Pine Capital every purchased shares of a inventory that operates in an trade recognized for regular efficiency, whatever the market surroundings. It is within the prescribed drugs sector however sells a product that is producing outsized income progress. This inventory could possibly be notably fascinating throughout instances of financial uncertainty — like right this moment — due to this stable mixture of security and progress.

Picture supply: Getty Photos.
Producing blockbuster income
What inventory am I speaking about? An organization that is been round for greater than 145 years however has soared to the forefront in current instances, because of its star product, weight reduction medicine. I am speaking about Eli Lilly (LLY -0.50%), the maker of tirzepatide.
This compound is offered below the identify Mounjaro for sort 2 diabetes and Zepbound for weight reduction, however docs have prescribed them to sufferers searching for to drop kilos. Each merchandise have been producing blockbuster income and are serving to the corporate’s complete income to climb within the double digits.
I will speak extra about that in a minute, however first, here is a take a look at the strikes the billionaires made within the fourth quarter of final 12 months. (Traders learn about these purchases as a result of managers of greater than $100 million in securities should declare their newest buys and sells on kind 13F to the Securities and Change Fee on a quarterly foundation.)
Within the current quarter, Druckenmiller opened a brand new place in Lilly, shopping for 62,190 shares, and it now makes up about 1.3% of his portfolio. Mandel additionally opened a place within the inventory, buying 782,860 shares, which represents 4.4% of his complete holdings. Lastly, Coleman elevated his Lilly holding by 35% and now owns 1,309,960 shares, which represents 3.8% of Tiger International’s portfolio.
Favoring progress shares
Every of those billionaires is thought for investing in progress shares. For instance, Druckenmiller held shares of Nvidia for a variety of years earlier than promoting them final 12 months and locking in good points. Mandel and Coleman clearly agree on the potential of Meta Platforms. It is the most important holding in each of their portfolios, with an 8.8% weighting in Mandel’s and a 16% weighting in Coleman’s.
As talked about, pharma shares supply traders security as a result of, no matter what’s taking place on the earth, individuals want their medical remedies. This ensures a sure degree of stability in product income.
Traders profit from this when investing in Lilly. Nevertheless, because of the corporate’s dominance within the weight reduction drug market, additionally they are having access to progress. That could be why Lilly attracted the eye of those growth-oriented billionaires.
Final 12 months, Mounjaro’s income soared 124% to greater than $11 billion. Zepbound gained approval in late 2023 and would not have a year-earlier comparability interval, however the drug delivered greater than $4 billion in income in 2024.
Development is more likely to proceed, contemplating the excessive demand for these merchandise. Till only in the near past, demand surpassed provide, and regulators had positioned tirzepatide on its drug scarcity record.
A market which will attain $100 billion
Lilly’s funding in manufacturing has helped improve provide, making the drug extra available for sufferers in current months. Nonetheless, demand is not more likely to let up, and analysts predict the burden loss drug market will grow to be a greater than $100 billion one by the top of the last decade.
All of this has translated into stable inventory efficiency for Lilly, with good points of greater than 180% over the previous three years. This 12 months, it is demonstrated its skill to handle a turbulent market — Lilly has climbed 7%, outpacing the S&P 500.
Should you’re in search of the protection of a pharma inventory together with progress that you simply typically may even see in different industries — corresponding to know-how, for instance — Lilly suits the invoice. That makes it an important billionaire-approved inventory to purchase right this moment and maintain for the long run.
Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market growth and spokeswoman for Fb and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Idiot’s board of administrators. Adria Cimino has no place in any of the shares talked about. The Motley Idiot has positions in and recommends Meta Platforms and Nvidia. The Motley Idiot has a disclosure coverage.