Gilead Sciences Shares Rise on Strong HIV Drug Portfolio Performance
Following its Q2 2026 earnings release, Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD) has seen a significant stock price increase from around $130 to nearly $147 per share. While the company reported mixed results—$7.8 billion in sales up 10% year-over-year but also an $8.45-per-share net loss due largely to R&D charges related to recent acquisitions—investors focused on strong performance from its HIV drug portfolio. The key driver of investor optimism was the continued success and growth within Gilead's HIV treatment segment, particularly in PrEP (HIV prevention) medicines which reached over $1 billion in quarterly sales for the first time. Descovy saw a 48% increase in sales while Yeztogo, an injectable HIV prevention drug administered twice yearly, surged from $15 million to $232 million. Management expects continued growth and potential blockbuster status for Yeztogo with annual sales possibly exceeding $1 billion. Analysts project Gilead's 2027 earnings per share between $9.19 and $11.10, suggesting a potentially attractive valuation compared to similar biotech firms.
