Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) Short Interest Down 15.7% in February

Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest in February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 18,454,950 shares, a decrease of 15.7% from the February 12th total of 21,892,924 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 6,745,011 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.7 days. Approximately 1.5% of the shares of the company are sold short. Approximately 1.5% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 6,745,011 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.7 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently commented on GILD shares. Leerink Partners lifted their price target on Gilead Sciences from $146.00 to $148.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Gilead Sciences in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Truist Financial lifted their target price on Gilead Sciences from $145.00 to $152.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Mizuho boosted their target price on Gilead Sciences from $140.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Gilead Sciences from $150.00 to $171.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Twenty-four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $157.62.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Jeffrey Bluestone sold 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.50, for a total value of $617,500.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 8,920 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,101,620. This represents a 35.92% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Andrew D. Dickinson sold 3,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $154.43, for a total transaction of $463,290.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 167,779 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $25,910,110.97. This trade represents a 1.76% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 303,280 shares of company stock worth $43,203,470. 0.27% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new position in Gilead Sciences during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC boosted its holdings in Gilead Sciences by 71.4% in the 4th quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 204 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares during the period. Quattro Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Gilead Sciences during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Gilead Sciences by 60.0% during the 4th quarter. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC now owns 216 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ares Financial Consulting LLC bought a new position in shares of Gilead Sciences during the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Institutional investors own 83.67% of the company’s stock.

Gilead Sciences Stock Performance

Gilead Sciences stock traded up $0.31 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $145.30. The company had a trading volume of 432,222 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,310,676. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $140.62 and a 200 day moving average of $126.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 1.40. The firm has a market cap of $180.38 billion, a PE ratio of 21.46, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 0.36. Gilead Sciences has a one year low of $93.37 and a one year high of $157.29.

Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 10th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.86 earnings per share (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 company had revenue of $7.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $7.68 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.90 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. Gilead Sciences has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.450-8.850 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Gilead Sciences will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current year.

Gilead Sciences Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 30th. Investors 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. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 13th. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.3%. Gilead Sciences’s dividend payout ratio is presently 48.45%.

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.