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Lonza Group (CH:LONN)
:LONN
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Lonza Group Ltd (LONN) AI Stock Analysis

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CH:LONN

Lonza Group Ltd

(LONN)

Rating:66Neutral
Price Target:
CHF603.00
â–²(8.77% Upside)
Lonza's strong earnings call performance and upgraded outlook for its CDMO business are significant positives, reflecting robust sales growth and strategic transformation. However, the high P/E ratio suggests potential overvaluation, and technical indicators point to a bearish trend. Financial performance shows operational efficiency but highlights concerns with revenue decline and negative cash flows.
Positive Factors
Expansion
Leading biologics contract drug service provider expanding even more.
New Contracts
Lonza disclosed CHF10bn of contract signing during 2024, indicating strong business development and future revenue potential.
Negative Factors
Divisional Guidance
The company is also not going to disclose divisional guidance going forward, which may disappoint some.
Market Competition
Lonza is at risk of losing market share to players that have better growth potential.

Lonza Group Ltd (LONN) vs. iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF (EWL)

Lonza Group Ltd Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionLonza Group Ltd supplies products and services to the pharmaceutical, biotech, and nutrition markets in Switzerland and internationally. It operates through Biologics, Small Molecules, Cell and Gene, and Capsules and Health Ingredients divisions. The Biologics division engages in the contract development and manufacturing services for biopharmaceuticals. The Small Molecules division operates as an integrated development and manufacturing service provider for small molecule drug substances and their intermediates. The Cell and Gene division develops technologies and platforms that industrialize the manufacturing processes and production of cell and gene therapies. It also offers contract development and manufacturing services for a range of allogeneic and autologous cell therapies, and exosome-based therapies, as well as viral vector gene therapies. This segment provides specialty raw materials and enabling technology solutions in cell and gene therapy, injectable drugs, vaccines, and bio-manufacturing markets. The Capsules and Health Ingredients division offers capsules, dosage form solutions, and health ingredients for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical customers. Lonza Group Ltd was founded in 1897 and is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland.
How the Company Makes MoneyLonza Group Ltd generates revenue primarily through its contract development and manufacturing services (CDMO) for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. This includes the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and biologics, which are critical for drug development and production. The company also earns revenue from its Specialty Ingredients segment, which supplies ingredients for consumer products, agriculture, and industrial applications. Key revenue streams include long-term contracts with pharmaceutical companies, project-based agreements, and sales of specialty chemicals. Significant partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies enhance Lonza's market position and contribute to its earnings, as these collaborations often lead to large, ongoing contracts for manufacturing services.

Lonza Group Ltd Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 23, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: -0.11%|
Next Earnings Date:Jan 28, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflected a strong performance overall with significant growth in sales and margins in the CDMO business and successful integration of new business platforms. However, challenges in specialized modalities and currency headwinds were noted as areas of concern.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Half-Year Performance
Lonza reported CHF 3.6 billion in sales, translating to 19% CER sales growth compared to 2024, and a core EBITDA of CHF 1.1 billion, representing a margin growth of 0.4 percentage points to 29.6%.
CDMO Business Growth
Excluding CHI, the CDMO business saw 23.1% sales growth leading to a core EBITDA margin slightly above 30%. The company also upgraded its CDMO outlook for full year 2025 to 20% to 21% CER sales growth and a core EBITDA margin of 30% to 31%.
Integrated Biologics Platform Success
The Integrated Biologics platform reported almost 40% CER sales growth compared to H1 2024, supported by the Vacaville acquisition and high demand for assets, with a core EBITDA margin increase to 36%.
Advanced Synthesis Platform Growth
The platform reported strong CER sales growth of above 18% compared to H1 2024, driven by demand for complex small molecules, leading to a core EBITDA margin of 40.3%, an increase of 6.9 percentage points versus H1 2024.
Progress in New Operating Model
The new operating model successfully went live on April 1, 2025, perfectly in line with the original time line without any complications.
Negative Updates
Specialized Modalities Performance
Reported CR sales were down by 9.2% and a core EBITDA margin of 17.3%, a decrease of 6.1 percentage points versus H1 2024, due to pipeline variability and operational challenges.
Currency Headwinds
Group sales in H1 were affected by a negative 2% currency headwind as the Swiss franc appreciated materially over the course of H1 versus the U.S. dollar.
Challenges in Cell and Gene Therapy
Lower asset utilization and operational performance in cell and gene therapy due to pipeline variability and complex manufacturing processes.
Company Guidance
In the fiscal year 2025 second quarter conference call, Lonza provided an optimistic outlook for the year, projecting a CDMO business sales growth of 20% to 21% at constant exchange rates (CER) and a core EBITDA margin of 30% to 31%. In H1, the company reported CHF 3.6 billion in sales, indicating a robust 19% CER sales growth compared to 2024, and a core EBITDA of CHF 1.1 billion, representing a margin growth to 29.6%. The CDMO business, excluding Capsules and Health Ingredients (CHI), achieved 23.1% sales growth, with a core EBITDA margin slightly above 30%. The company also highlighted its CapEx spending, which reached 19% of sales, and announced plans for continued investment in growth projects across its CDMO platforms. The newly acquired Vacaville site contributed significantly to sales, with expectations for it to maintain a CHF 0.5 billion run rate over the next few years. Despite challenges in specialized modalities, Lonza remains confident in its ability to navigate the macroeconomic and geopolitical landscape, with strong customer interest across its facilities in the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

Lonza Group Ltd Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Lonza Group demonstrates strong operational efficiency and a solid equity base. However, declining revenues and negative free cash flows present significant challenges. Despite a respectable EBIT margin, strategic actions are needed for revenue growth and cash flow improvement.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Lonza Group has shown a mixed performance in its income statement. The gross profit margin for the latest year stands at 32.8%, reflecting solid profitability. However, the net profit margin decreased to 9.7% from the previous year's 9.7%, indicating some pressure on net profitability. Revenue growth has been inconsistent, with a recent decline of 2.1% in total revenue. Despite these challenges, the company maintains a respectable EBIT margin of 14.7% and EBITDA margin of 15.7%, highlighting operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
80
Positive
The balance sheet of Lonza Group reveals a strong equity base, with an equity ratio of 47.3%, providing financial stability. The debt-to-equity ratio has increased to 0.50, suggesting moderate use of leverage. Return on equity is moderate at 6.8%, indicating efficient use of equity capital. Overall, the balance sheet reflects a stable financial position, supported by a strong equity foundation.
Cash Flow
65
Positive
Cash flow analysis shows challenges, with a negative free cash flow of -143 million CHF, although an improvement from the previous year's -263 million CHF. The operating cash flow to net income ratio stands at 2.0, indicating strong cash generation relative to earnings. However, the free cash flow to net income ratio remains negative, highlighting ongoing capital expenditure demands.
BreakdownDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue6.57B6.72B6.22B5.41B4.51B
Gross Profit2.16B1.95B2.30B1.97B1.71B
EBITDA1.54B1.53B2.12B1.38B1.39B
Net Income636.00M654.00M1.22B2.94B869.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets19.73B16.85B17.56B16.69B14.63B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.71B1.67B2.22B3.18B495.00M
Total Debt5.12B3.13B2.59B2.75B3.81B
Total Liabilities10.35B7.34B6.89B6.87B7.74B
Stockholders Equity9.33B9.45B10.60B9.75B6.82B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-143.00M-263.00M-833.00M-126.00M163.00M
Operating Cash Flow1.27B1.39B1.04B1.22B1.14B
Investing Cash Flow-2.92B-1.10B-991.00M1.02B-1.09B
Financing Cash Flow1.28B-152.00M-286.00M-1.28B93.00M

Lonza Group Ltd Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price554.40
Price Trends
50DMA
562.86
Negative
100DMA
559.49
Negative
200DMA
555.34
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-4.29
Positive
RSI
46.99
Neutral
STOCH
41.48
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CH:LONN, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 554.4 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 559.44, below the 50-day MA of 562.86, and below the 200-day MA of 555.34, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -4.29 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 46.99 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 41.48 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for CH:LONN.

Lonza Group Ltd Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (60)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
81
Outperform
CHF189.35B16.64
3.49%9.36%-14.82%
80
Outperform
CHF5.17B38.5310.07%1.23%17.34%18.15%
74
Outperform
$35.25B35.135.23%0.39%3.90%6.76%
74
Outperform
$3.94B23.5618.36%4.78%1.82%39.11%
66
Neutral
CHF37.88B52.32
0.72%5.93%29.83%
60
Neutral
HK$19.37B4.62-4.00%3.28%11.14%-17.52%
* Healthcare Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CH:LONN
Lonza Group Ltd
555.80
-0.51
-0.09%
CH:NOVN
Novartis AG
100.22
3.29
3.39%
CH:ALC
Alcon
71.52
-10.89
-13.21%
CH:BANB
Bachem Holding AG
67.80
-13.38
-16.48%
CH:SFZN
Siegfried Holding AG
87.90
-11.37
-11.46%

Lonza Group Ltd Corporate Events

Lonza Group Reports Strong H1 2025 Results, Raises CDMO Forecast
Jul 23, 2025

Lonza Group Ltd reported strong financial results for the first half of 2025, with sales reaching CHF 3.6 billion and a core EBITDA of CHF 1.1 billion. The company raised its revenue and margin forecasts for the CDMO business for the full year, expecting sales growth of 20-21% and a core EBITDA margin of 30-31%. The positive performance was driven by high utilization of facilities, ongoing commercial momentum, and successful integration of the Vacaville site. Lonza’s Capsules & Health Ingredients business also showed improvement, with a stable sales outlook and an improved core EBITDA margin. The company continues to monitor geopolitical and macroeconomic conditions, with no significant financial impact expected from US trade policy. Lonza’s new production facilities in Visp and Stein are progressing as planned, and the company remains focused on expanding its market position through its One Lonza strategy.

The most recent analyst rating on (CH:LONN) stock is a Buy with a CHF645.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Lonza Group Ltd stock, see the CH:LONN Stock Forecast page.

Lonza Unveils 2024 Financials Under New Organizational Structure
May 27, 2025

Lonza Group Ltd has announced its 2024 comparative financials under the new One Lonza organizational structure, effective from April 2025. This structure includes three CDMO Business Platforms: Integrated Biologics, Advanced Synthesis, and Specialized Modalities, while the Capsules & Health Ingredients business remains unchanged. The updated financials aim to provide investors with comparable figures ahead of the Half-Year 2025 results, reflecting the company’s strategic focus on its core business areas.

The most recent analyst rating on (CH:LONN) stock is a Buy with a CHF645.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Lonza Group Ltd stock, see the CH:LONN Stock Forecast page.

Lonza Appoints Andreas Bohrer as Chief Legal & Corporate Affairs Officer
May 15, 2025

Lonza Group Ltd has appointed Andreas Bohrer as the Chief Legal & Corporate Affairs Officer, effective July 1, 2025. Andreas, who has been with the company since 2015, will join the Executive Committee and continue to influence Lonza’s strategic direction, particularly in legal, compliance, and public affairs. This appointment reflects his significant contributions, including his leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic, and is expected to strengthen Lonza’s industry positioning and stakeholder relations.

The most recent analyst rating on (CH:LONN) stock is a Buy with a CHF645.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Lonza Group Ltd stock, see the CH:LONN Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 06, 2025