Jim Cramer Commends Elanco Animal Health: 'They've Revitalized the Company'
Jim Cramer's Recommendations: Jim Cramer endorsed Elanco Animal Health for its turnaround and M&T Bank for being well-managed, while suggesting Rocket Lab as a speculative investment ahead of a significant launch.
Analyst Support: Barclays analyst Glen Santangelo initiated coverage on Elanco with an Overweight rating and a price target of $30, while M&T Bank's price target was raised from $220 to $230 by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods.
Sell Recommendations: Cramer advised selling Lithium Americas Corp, labeling it a "no-go" stock, and expressed lukewarm sentiments about Daktronics, calling it "just ok."
Recent Price Movements: On Wednesday, Elanco, Rocket Lab, Lithium Americas, Daktronics, and Ondas Holdings saw declines in their stock prices, while M&T Bank experienced a slight increase.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Analyst Views on ELAN
About ELAN
About the author

- New Investment Position: Black Creek Investment Management established a new position in Eagle Materials by acquiring 502,120 shares in Q4 2025, with an estimated trade value of $103.78 million, indicating confidence in the construction materials sector amid a potential infrastructure spending rebound.
- Asset Allocation Significance: This new position accounts for 5.1% of Black Creek's reportable assets in its 13F filing, ranking among its top five holdings, which underscores the firm's strategic focus on this stock.
- Strong Financial Performance: Eagle Materials reported $556 million in quarterly revenue and $3.22 in diluted EPS for its latest fiscal quarter, with cement volumes rising 9% year-over-year, demonstrating resilience despite softness in the residential market.
- Share Buyback Strategy: The company repurchased approximately 648,000 shares for $142.6 million in the quarter, reinforcing consistent capital allocation and reflecting management's confidence in future growth prospects.
- Board Changes: Elanco Animal Health announced that two board members, R. David Hoover and Deborah Kochevar, will not seek reelection after the 2026 annual shareholder meeting, reducing the board size to nine members, indicating a shift in corporate governance structure.
- Historical Context: Hoover has served as the first chairman since the company's IPO in September 2018, while Kochevar joined in March 2019 during Elanco's spinoff from Eli Lilly, and their departures signify a new phase in the company's governance.
- Future Implications: The change in board members may impact the company's strategic direction and decision-making processes, necessitating that Elanco ensures new members bring fresh perspectives and expertise to support long-term growth objectives.
- Market Reaction: Although this transition has not triggered significant market volatility, investors will closely monitor the appointment of new directors and their potential influence on the company's future strategy to maintain a competitive edge in the animal health market.
- Board Changes: Elanco Animal Health announced that R. David Hoover and Deborah Kochevar will not seek re-election at the 2026 Annual Meeting, with Hoover serving as the first Chairman since the company's IPO in 2018 and Kochevar joining in 2019, both having made significant contributions to the company's development.
- Hoover's Legacy: Hoover provided critical strategic guidance during the company's early independence, helping Elanco establish a robust governance framework and clear strategic direction, which laid the foundation for sustainable growth, as expressed by Chairman Kurzius.
- Kochevar's Contributions: Under Kochevar's leadership of the Innovation, Science, and Technology committee, the company advanced its innovation pipeline, with both Chairman Kurzius and CEO Simmons acknowledging her veterinary expertise as vital for the company's future development.
- Board Structure Adjustment: Following these changes, Elanco's Board will consist of nine directors, reflecting the company's strong prospects for continued growth and long-term value creation, ensuring its leadership position in the animal health sector.
- Board Changes: Elanco Animal Health announced that R. David Hoover and Deborah Kochevar will not seek re-election at the 2026 Annual Meeting, marking a significant shift in the company's governance structure that could impact future strategic directions.
- Founding Chairman Retirement: Hoover, who has served as Chairman since the company's IPO in 2018, is credited with being a foundational leader for Elanco's success as an independent entity, leaving future leadership to navigate the challenges of sustainable growth.
- Innovation Committee Leadership: Kochevar's tenure on the board, particularly her leadership of the Innovation, Science, and Technology committee, was crucial in establishing the company's innovation pipeline, and the new board will need to maintain this culture of scientific excellence moving forward.
- Board Structure Adjustment: Following the departure of these two directors, Elanco's board will consist of nine members, a change that may affect the company's decision-making efficiency and strategic execution capabilities.

- Retirement Announcement: David Hoover has announced his retirement from the Elanco Animal Health board.
- Clarification on Role: It is specified that he is retiring as a member, not as the chairman of the board.







