L & S Advisors Inc Makes New $7.31 Million Investment in Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD)

Key Points

• L & S Advisors Inc has made a new investment of $7.31 million in Gilead Sciences, acquiring 65,246 shares which make up 0.9% of their investment portfolio.
• Gilead Sciences' stock has seen recent activity with a 0.8% increase, currently trading around $113.18, and analysts have varying target prices ranging from $125 to $135.
• Insider trading has been notable, with Director Jeffrey Bluestone selling 5,000 shares, representing a significant decrease in his ownership stake, as insiders overall have sold 82,000 shares worth nearly $9 million in the last ninety days.

L & S Advisors Inc acquired a new position in shares of Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD - Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 65,246 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock, valued at approximately $7,311,000. Gilead Sciences accounts for 0.9% of L & S Advisors Inc's investment portfolio, making the stock its 26th biggest holding.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in GILD. Smallwood Wealth Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Gilead Sciences during the 1st quarter worth $25,000. Goodman Advisory Group LLC bought a new position in Gilead Sciences during the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Core Alternative Capital increased its position in Gilead Sciences by 370.8% during the 1st quarter. Core Alternative Capital now owns 306 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 241 shares during the period. IMA Advisory Services Inc. bought a new position in Gilead Sciences during the 1st quarter worth $39,000. Finally, Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC increased its position in Gilead Sciences by 158.8% during the 4th quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC now owns 352 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 216 shares during the period. 83.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Gilead Sciences Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of GILD opened at $113.18 on Friday. Gilead Sciences, Inc. has a 52 week low of $72.43 and a 52 week high of $119.96. The stock has a market capitalization of $140.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.83, a PEG ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.37. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $110.51 and a 200-day moving average of $106.80.

Insider Transactions at Gilead Sciences

In other news, Director Jeffrey Bluestone sold 5,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.74, for a total value of $548,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 8,920 shares of the company's stock, valued at $978,880.80. This represents a 35.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Johanna Mercier sold 28,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.52, for a total transaction of $3,010,560.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 121,152 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,026,263.04. This represents a 18.77% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 82,000 shares of company stock worth $8,984,175. 0.27% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on GILD. Cantor Fitzgerald began coverage on Gilead Sciences in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. They set an "overweight" rating and a $125.00 target price for the company. Oppenheimer cut their target price on Gilead Sciences from $132.00 to $125.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Needham & Company LLC upgraded Gilead Sciences from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $133.00 target price for the company in a research report on Friday, July 25th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Gilead Sciences from $130.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have issued a buy rating and three have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $112.36.

About Gilead Sciences

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.

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