Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) Insider Johanna Mercier Sells 3,000 Shares of Company Stock

Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) insider Johanna Mercier sold 3,000 shares of Gilead Sciences stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $156.22, for a total transaction of $468,660.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 113,684 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $17,759,714.48. This trade represents a 2.57% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan.

Johanna Mercier also recently made the following trade(s):

• On Tuesday, September 15th, Johanna Mercier sold 3,000 shares of Gilead Sciences stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.22, for a total transaction of $432,660.00.
• On Monday, August 17th, Johanna Mercier sold 28,000 shares of Gilead Sciences stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $137.64, for a total transaction of $3,853,920.00.

Gilead Sciences Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ GILD traded down $1.18 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $156.19. 7,770,853 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,976,056. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $147.19 and its 200-day simple moving average is $137.29. The company has a quick ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $193.67 billion, a P/E ratio of -58.50 and a beta of 0.31. Gilead Sciences, Inc. has a twelve month low of $114.02 and a twelve month high of $160.51.

Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) last announced its earnings results on Monday, August 3rd. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($6.75) EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($7.25) by $0.50. Gilead Sciences had a negative net margin of 10.64% and a negative return on equity of 2.11%. The business had revenue of $7.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.40 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.01 EPS. Gilead Sciences’s revenue was up 10.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that Gilead Sciences, Inc. will post -0.47 earnings per share for the current year.

Gilead Sciences Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 29th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 15th were issued a $0.82 dividend. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 15th. Gilead Sciences’s dividend payout ratio is currently -122.85%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Gilead Sciences

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in GILD. Hutchens & Kramer Investment Management Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Gilead Sciences during the 3rd quarter worth $205,000. Howard Capital Management Group LLC acquired a new position in Gilead Sciences in the third quarter valued at about $124,000. Kintegral Advisory LLC raised its stake in Gilead Sciences by 0.6% in the third quarter. Kintegral Advisory LLC now owns 115,751 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $17,253,000 after purchasing an additional 654 shares in the last quarter. Avail Investment Partners LLC raised its stake in Gilead Sciences by 7.2% in the third quarter. Avail Investment Partners LLC now owns 2,634 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $393,000 after purchasing an additional 178 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mosley Wealth Management lifted its position in Gilead Sciences by 11.8% during the third quarter. Mosley Wealth Management now owns 910 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $143,000 after purchasing an additional 96 shares during the period. 83.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Gilead Sciences News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Vir oncology collaboration expands Gilead’s pipeline. Gilead and Vir Biotechnology agreed to develop three novel cancer therapies, including next-generation T-cell engagers. The deal could provide Vir with up to approximately $1.74 billion in additional milestone payments, giving Gilead access to potential long-term oncology growth while diversifying its pipeline. Gilead and Vir forge $1.9bn pact to develop next-gen T-cell engagers
• Positive Sentiment: Investors are rotating toward defensive healthcare stocks. As investors reduce exposure to technology and chip stocks, major pharmaceutical companies—including Gilead—have traded near record highs. This rotation may be supporting demand for GILD because of the sector’s defensive characteristics and potential earnings support. Big pharma stocks near all-time highs as tech selloff pushes investors toward safer bets
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent momentum has increased investor attention. GILD gained 2.57% in the prior session and closed at $157.48, while shares remain close to their 52-week high. Market commentary notes heightened investor interest, although analysts have expressed mixed views on the company’s prospects. Gilead Sciences rises higher than market: Key facts
• Negative Sentiment: Two senior executives reported planned stock sales. CFO Andrew Dickinson and insider Johanna Mercier each sold 3,000 shares at an average price of $156.22. Both transactions were executed under pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plans, limiting their significance as a bearish signal; each executive continues to hold a substantial position. Gilead CFO Form 4 filing

Analyst Ratings Changes

GILD has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Bank of America restated a “buy” rating and set a $164.00 price objective on shares of Gilead Sciences in a report on Monday, October 12th. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $170.00 target price on shares of Gilead Sciences in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Zacks Research lowered Gilead Sciences from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 29th. Truist Financial lifted their price target on Gilead Sciences from $150.00 to $158.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 7th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $155.00 price target on shares of Gilead Sciences in a research note on Thursday, October 8th. Twenty-three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Gilead Sciences has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $159.33.

About Gilead Sciences

Gilead Sciences, Inc (NASDAQ: GILD) is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes medicines for serious and life-threatening diseases. Its research and commercial activities focus primarily on virology, including HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, as well as oncology, inflammation and other areas of significant unmet medical need.

Gilead’s portfolio includes HIV treatments such as Biktarvy, Descovy, Genvoya and Sunlenca; hepatitis therapies including Epclusa, Harvoni and Vemlidy; and Veklury (remdesivir), an antiviral used to treat COVID-19 in certain patients.