#2 - Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD)
Biotechnology giant Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) makes this list for several reasons, not the least of which is the stock’s 1,384% total return over the last 20 years. That's an astonishing 69% average annual return for shareholders.
But the company—which focuses on developing innovative medicines to address unmet medical needs—continues to launch new drugs like Lenacapavir (a biannual injection for HIV) and Livdelzi (a second-line therapy for patients with decompensated cirrhosis). For long-term investors, a significant benefit of these launches is that the Gilead faces no patent expirations in the next several years. That also means its dividend, which currently has a yield of 3.33%, is in no danger of being cut.
As of December 18, GILD stock is up 12.8% in 2024. That includes a 7% pullback from its 52-week high of $98.90, reached in early November. Of the 27 analysts tracked by MarketBeat, 15 give the stock a Buy rating, with three of those being a Strong Buy rating.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc, a biopharmaceutical company, discovers, develops, and commercializes medicines in the areas of unmet medical need in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company provides Biktarvy, Genvoya, Descovy, Odefsey, Truvada, Complera/ Eviplera, Stribild, Sunlencs, and Atripla products for the treatment of HIV/AIDS; Veklury, an injection for intravenous use, for the treatment of COVID-19; and Epclusa, Harvoni, Vemlidy, and Viread for the treatment of viral hepatitis.
More- Current Price
- $96.04
- Consensus Rating
- Moderate Buy
- Ratings Breakdown
- 16 Buy Ratings, 11 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
- Consensus Price Target
- $98.39 (2.4% Upside)
