Gilead Sciences Surges 26.5% YTD: Buy, Sell or Hold the Stock?

Core Insights - Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD) has demonstrated strong performance in 2025, with shares rising 26.5% year to date, significantly outperforming the industry growth of 6% [1][9] - The FDA approval of lenacapavir, branded as Yeztugo, for HIV prevention has been a pivotal event, marking it as the first twice-yearly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option in the U.S. [3][7] Gilead's HIV Portfolio - Gilead holds a leading position in the HIV treatment market, with its flagship drug Biktarvy commanding over 51% market share in the U.S. [4] - The company anticipates a 3% growth in HIV sales for 2025, up from previous expectations of flat revenue, driven by strong performances from Biktarvy and Descovy [5] - The approval of Yeztugo enhances Gilead's HIV portfolio, especially as Truvada faces generic competition [6] Oncology and Cell Therapy - Gilead's oncology portfolio includes Trodelvy, which has shown strong performance in treating metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, with plans for further approvals [11] - However, the Cell Therapy franchise, including Yescarta and Tecartus, is facing competitive pressures in the U.S. and Europe [12] - Gilead's subsidiary Kite has acquired Interius BioTherapeutics for $350 million, enhancing its capabilities in CAR T-cell therapies [13] Liver Disease Portfolio - The FDA approval of seladelpar, branded as Livdelzi, for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) has strengthened Gilead's liver disease portfolio [14][15] Financial Performance and Estimates - Gilead's shares are currently trading at a price/earnings ratio of 13.62x forward earnings, lower than the large-cap pharma industry's average of 14.83x [16] - Earnings estimates for 2025 have increased to $8.10 from $8.02, while the estimate for 2026 has slightly decreased to $8.50 from $8.53 [17] Strategic Collaborations - Gilead has partnered with the U.S. State Department to deliver lenacapavir, indicating a commitment to expanding its HIV prevention efforts [10] - The company is also collaborating with Merck to evaluate a combination treatment for HIV, with updates expected in 2026 [20] Dividend and Cash Position - Gilead has maintained a strong cash position, with $7.1 billion in cash and equivalents as of June 30, 2025, supporting its sustainable dividend yield of 2.76% [22] - In Q2 2025, Gilead paid out $994 million in dividends and repurchased $527 million of common stock, reflecting its commitment to returning value to shareholders [21]