Ascent Group LLC Raises Stock Holdings in Gilead Sciences, Inc. $GILD

Key Points

• Ascent Group LLC increased its stake in Gilead Sciences by 53.1%, acquiring an additional 11,200 shares, bringing its total holdings to 32,308 shares worth approximately $3.62 million.
• Several analysts have upgraded Gilead Sciences stock ratings, with price targets now ranging from $112 to $133, indicating a positive outlook on the company's future performance.
• The company will pay a quarterly dividend of $0.79 per share on September 29th, with a yield of 2.7%, reflecting a payout ratio of 62.95%.

Ascent Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD - Free Report) by 53.1% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 32,308 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock after buying an additional 11,200 shares during the quarter. Ascent Group LLC's holdings in Gilead Sciences were worth $3,620,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Brighton Jones LLC grew its stake in shares of Gilead Sciences by 20.6% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 14,359 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock worth $1,326,000 after purchasing an additional 2,450 shares during the last quarter. Bison Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Gilead Sciences in the 4th quarter worth approximately $215,000. Focus Partners Wealth grew its position in shares of Gilead Sciences by 14.7% in the 4th quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 117,736 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock worth $10,875,000 after buying an additional 15,048 shares during the last quarter. Graham Capital Management L.P. purchased a new position in shares of Gilead Sciences during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,744,000. Finally, Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Gilead Sciences by 27.6% during the fourth quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. now owns 648,386 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $59,891,000 after acquiring an additional 140,095 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 83.67% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently weighed in on GILD. Daiwa America upgraded shares of Gilead Sciences from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 19th. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Gilead Sciences from $108.00 to $112.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Needham & Company LLC upgraded shares of Gilead Sciences from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $133.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 25th. Truist Financial raised shares of Gilead Sciences from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and increased their price target for the stock from $108.00 to $127.00 in a research note on Friday, August 8th. Finally, Dbs Bank raised Gilead Sciences to a "moderate buy" rating in a research report on Friday, September 5th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have given a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Gilead Sciences currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $115.39.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Gilead Sciences news, CFO Andrew D. Dickinson sold 2,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $118.53, for a total transaction of $296,325.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 160,110 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,977,838.30. This trade represents a 1.54% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Johanna Mercier sold 28,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $118.53, for a total transaction of $3,318,840.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 114,168 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,532,333.04. The trade was a 19.70% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 82,000 shares of company stock valued at $9,371,330 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.27% of the company's stock.

Gilead Sciences Stock Down 2.8%

NASDAQ GILD traded down $3.31 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $114.55. 6,466,956 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,830,447. Gilead Sciences, Inc. has a 52-week low of $81.57 and a 52-week high of $121.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 1.32 and a quick ratio of 1.15. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $114.04 and a 200 day simple moving average of $110.09. The firm has a market cap of $142.13 billion, a PE ratio of 22.82, a PEG ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 0.36.

Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 7th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.01 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.96 by $0.05. Gilead Sciences had a net margin of 21.86% and a return on equity of 50.99%. The business had revenue of $7.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.95 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.01 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Gilead Sciences has set its FY 2025 guidance at 7.950-8.250 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Gilead Sciences, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Gilead Sciences Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 29th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 15th will be paid a $0.79 dividend. This represents a $3.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 15th. Gilead Sciences's dividend payout ratio is currently 62.95%.

Gilead Sciences Profile

Gilead Sciences, Inc, a biopharmaceutical company, discovers, develops, and commercializes medicines in the areas of unmet medical need in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company provides Biktarvy, Genvoya, Descovy, Odefsey, Truvada, Complera/ Eviplera, Stribild, Sunlencs, and Atripla products for the treatment of HIV/AIDS; Veklury, an injection for intravenous use, for the treatment of COVID-19; and Epclusa, Harvoni, Vemlidy, and Viread for the treatment of viral hepatitis.