#3 - Gilead Science (NASDAQ:GILD)
Gilead Science (NASDAQ:GILD) is also on the forefront of potential coronavirus treatments. The company is developing an experimental antiviral drug, remdesivir that looks to be a promising treatment. Remdesivir is now in late-stage studies and the company says it could report initial results as early as April.
However, Gilead faces a similar risk/reward dynamic as vaccine candidates. If remdesivir performs well, the stock will also perform well. If, however, the trials do not produce the hoped for results, GILD stock could plummet.
Fortunately, that’s not the only reason to like GILD stock. The company’s pipeline includes two of the premier HIV drugs: Biktarvy and Descovy. Gilead is also part of a duopoply in the treatment of hepatitis C.
Heading into 2020 Gilead was sitting on $25 billion in cash and investments. This means it will easily be able to continue spending on the research and development it needs to expand its pipeline. And that pipeline includes potentially entering the immunology market with filgotinig, a rheumatoid arthritis drug.
Plus, Gilead pays out an attractive dividend. While they don’t have a long history of increasing the dividend, the company has increased the dividend by over 9% on average the last three years. And with plenty of cash on hand, the dividend looks extremely safe.
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.
Read More - Current Price
- $90.19
- Consensus Rating
- Moderate Buy
- Ratings Breakdown
- 14 Buy Ratings, 12 Hold Ratings, 0 Sell Ratings.
- Consensus Price Target
- $95.41 (5.8% Upside)
