Principal Financial Group Inc. Buys 379,592 Shares of Gilead Sciences, Inc. $GILD

Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD - Free Report) by 27.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,762,006 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock after acquiring an additional 379,592 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned about 0.14% of Gilead Sciences worth $216,269,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Ares Financial Consulting LLC bought a new stake in shares of Gilead Sciences in the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. Corundum Trust Company INC bought a new stake in shares of Gilead Sciences in the third quarter valued at about $26,000. Financial Consulate Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Gilead Sciences by 85.8% in the fourth quarter. Financial Consulate Inc. now owns 236 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. raised its holdings in shares of Gilead Sciences by 54.8% in the fourth quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. now owns 243 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 86 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BOCHK Asset Management Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Gilead Sciences in the fourth quarter valued at about $31,000. Institutional investors own 83.67% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at Gilead Sciences

In other news, insider Johanna Mercier sold 28,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $154.44, for a total transaction of $4,324,320.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 120,288 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $18,577,278.72. This represents a 18.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Andrew D. Dickinson sold 3,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $140.96, for a total value of $422,880.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 176,191 shares in the company, valued at approximately $24,835,883.36. The trade was a 1.67% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 178,640 shares of company stock valued at $26,584,250. Corporate insiders own 0.30% of the company's stock.

Gilead Sciences Stock Performance

Shares of Gilead Sciences stock opened at $133.48 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $165.68 billion, a PE ratio of 19.72, a P/E/G ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 0.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a current ratio of 1.55. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $140.14 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $132.66. Gilead Sciences, Inc. has a one year low of $95.29 and a one year high of $157.29.

Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 10th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.86 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.83 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $7.93 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.68 billion. Gilead Sciences had a net margin of 28.90% and a return on equity of 49.46%. The firm's revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.90 earnings per share. Gilead Sciences has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.450-8.850 EPS. Research analysts expect that Gilead Sciences, Inc. will post 8.62 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently weighed in on GILD shares. Leerink Partners lifted their price objective on Gilead Sciences from $146.00 to $148.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of Gilead Sciences from $156.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, April 13th. Rothschild & Co Redburn boosted their price objective on shares of Gilead Sciences from $159.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Daiwa Securities Group boosted their price objective on shares of Gilead Sciences from $129.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 25th. Finally, Bank of America set a $162.00 price objective on shares of Gilead Sciences and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Twenty-four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Gilead Sciences currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $157.35.

Gilead Sciences News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Gilead Sciences this week:

• Positive Sentiment: AHF says Gilead’s EPS could rise ~52% because state AIDS drug program shortfalls have increased reliance on commercial/retail supply, implying near-term revenue upside for Gilead’s HIV portfolio. Gilead's Earnings Skyrocket as Florida's AIDS Drug Program Falters, says AHF
• Positive Sentiment: Brokerage commentary and price-target coverage are constructive — a recent note cites a $157.35 target, supporting investor expectations of upside versus current levels. Brokerages Set Gilead Sciences, Inc. NASDAQ: GILD Price Target at $157.35
• Neutral Sentiment: Use of Yeztugo (twice-yearly HIV-prevention shot) is rising since launch, which supports Gilead’s growth story in prevention, but adoption is still early and incremental to overall revenues. Focus: Use of Gilead's HIV prevention shot rises, but US insurance gaps remain
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst/estimate deep dives (Zacks/market write-ups) are circulating ahead of quarterly reporting; these pieces highlight key metrics investors will watch (sales mix of HIV products, hepatitis/oncology performance, and guidance). That keeps focus on fundamentals rather than a single headline. Curious about Gilead (GILD) Q1 Performance? Explore Wall Street Estimates for Key Metrics
• Neutral Sentiment: Brand/marketing recognition (PLAN C Impact 50) is positive for awareness but unlikely to move near-term fundamentals materially. Eight PLAN C Client Brands Named to the 3AF 2026 Impact 50
• Negative Sentiment: Insurance coverage gaps for Yeztugo remain a real constraint — patients who want the injection can face reimbursement hurdles, which could cap upside in medium-term prevention revenue if not resolved. Use of Gilead's HIV prevention shot rises, but US insurance gaps remain

About Gilead Sciences

Gilead Sciences, Inc, founded in 1987 and headquartered in Foster City, California, is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of medicines in areas of high unmet medical need. The company initially built its reputation in antiviral therapies and has since expanded into oncology, cell therapy and inflammatory diseases. Gilead operates a global research and commercial organization, conducting clinical development and selling medicines in markets around the world.

Gilead's product portfolio is anchored by antiviral therapies for HIV and viral hepatitis.

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