Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) Receives Consensus Rating of "Moderate Buy" from Analysts

Key Points

• Analysts give Gilead a consensus "Moderate Buy" from 27 analysts (23 buy, 4 hold) with an average 12‑month target of $156.72, and several firms recently raised targets into the $160–$177 range.
• Gilead slightly beat the quarter with $1.86 EPS (vs. $1.83 expected) and $7.93B revenue (+4.7% YoY) and set FY2026 guidance of 8.45–8.85 EPS, versus analysts' ~7.95 estimate.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.82 (2.2% yield) while insiders sold roughly 309,280 shares (~$44M) over the last 90 days and institutional investors own about 83.7% of the stock.

Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD - Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the twenty-seven analysts that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-three have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $156.72.

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on GILD shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Gilead Sciences from $150.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Scotiabank increased their price objective on Gilead Sciences from $140.00 to $177.00 and gave the company a "sector outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Bank of America set a $162.00 target price on shares of Gilead Sciences and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 11th. Argus lifted their target price on shares of Gilead Sciences from $135.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, February 19th. Finally, Mizuho upped their price target on shares of Gilead Sciences from $140.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 18th.

Gilead Sciences Stock Performance

NASDAQ GILD opened at $146.63 on Tuesday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $138.73 and a two-hundred day moving average of $126.06. The company has a market capitalization of $182.03 billion, a PE ratio of 21.66, a P/E/G ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 0.36. Gilead Sciences has a 1 year low of $93.37 and a 1 year high of $157.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 1.40.

Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD - Get Free Report) last posted 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. Gilead Sciences had a return on equity of 49.46% and a net margin of 28.90%.The business had revenue of $7.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $7.68 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.90 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Gilead Sciences has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.450-8.850 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Gilead Sciences will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current year.

Gilead Sciences Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be paid a $0.82 dividend. This is a boost from Gilead Sciences's previous quarterly dividend of $0.79. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 13th. Gilead Sciences's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 46.68%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Gilead Sciences

In related news, Director Jeffrey Bluestone sold 5,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.50, for a total value of $617,500.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 8,920 shares in the company, valued at $1,101,620. The trade was a 35.92% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Johanna Mercier sold 28,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $154.44, for a total value of $4,324,320.00. Following the sale, 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 disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 309,280 shares of company stock valued at $43,935,470 over the last ninety days. 0.27% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new position in Gilead Sciences in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC raised its position in Gilead Sciences by 71.4% during the 4th quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 204 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. Quattro Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Gilead Sciences in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Gilead Sciences by 60.0% in the 4th quarter. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 81 shares during the period. Finally, Ares Financial Consulting LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Gilead Sciences in the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. 83.67% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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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