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

Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) has been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the twenty-eight ratings firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-two have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $131.5417.

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on GILD shares. HSBC raised their price objective on Gilead Sciences from $110.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Rothschild & Co Redburn lifted their price objective on shares of Gilead Sciences from $143.00 to $153.00 in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Truist Financial initiated coverage on shares of Gilead Sciences in a report on Monday, November 24th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $140.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Gilead Sciences from $100.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Dbs Bank upgraded shares of Gilead Sciences to a “moderate buy” rating in a research report on Friday, September 5th.

Gilead Sciences Price Performance

Shares of GILD opened at $125.79 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.45 and a quick ratio of 1.31. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $122.76 and its 200-day moving average price is $116.46. Gilead Sciences has a 1-year low of $88.57 and a 1-year high of $128.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $156.06 billion, a PE ratio of 19.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.69 and a beta of 0.32.

Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.16 by $0.31. Gilead Sciences had a return on equity of 51.86% and a net margin of 27.88%.The company had revenue of $7.77 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.42 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.02 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. Gilead Sciences has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.050-8.250 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Gilead Sciences will post 7.95 EPS for the current year.

Gilead Sciences Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.79 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $3.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. Gilead Sciences’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 48.99%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Daniel Patrick O’day sold 10,000 shares of Gilead Sciences stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.54, for a total transaction of $1,265,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 571,203 shares in the company, valued at approximately $72,280,027.62. This trade represents a 1.72% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Jeffrey Bluestone sold 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.08, for a total value of $625,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 8,920 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,115,713.60. This represents a 35.92% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 136,257 shares of company stock worth $16,723,492. 0.27% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Gilead Sciences

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Activest Wealth Management increased its holdings in Gilead Sciences by 2,837.5% in the first quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 235 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 227 shares in the last quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC boosted its stake in shares of Gilead Sciences by 7,566.7% during the 2nd quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC now owns 230 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 227 shares in the last quarter. Corundum Trust Company INC acquired a new stake in shares of Gilead Sciences during the 3rd quarter valued at about $26,000. Harbor Asset Planning Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Gilead Sciences in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Finally, Putney Financial Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Gilead Sciences by 53.4% in the 2nd quarter. Putney Financial Group LLC now owns 270 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 94 shares in the last quarter. 83.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.