Gilead Sciences Inc Stock Buy Recommendation Reiterated (GILD)

Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model.

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Gilead (Nasdaq:GILD) has been reiterated by TheStreet Ratings as a buy with a ratings score of A- . The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, solid stock price performance, attractive valuation levels, good cash flow from operations and expanding profit margins. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income.

• ACTIVE STOCK TRADERS: Get trading ideas for stocks under $10 for less than $6/week. Start with a 14-Day Free Trial.

Highlights from the ratings report include:

• GILD's revenue growth has slightly outpaced the industry average of 7.0%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues rose by 12.5%. This growth in revenue does not appear to have trickled down to the company's bottom line, displayed by a decline in earnings per share.
• Compared to its closing price of one year ago, GILD's share price has jumped by 64.83%, exceeding the performance of the broader market during that same time frame. Regarding the stock's future course, although almost any stock can fall in a broad market decline, GILD should continue to move higher despite the fact that it has already enjoyed a very nice gain in the past year.
• GILEAD SCIENCES INC' earnings per share from the most recent quarter came in slightly below the year earlier quarter. This company has reported somewhat volatile earnings recently. But, we feel it is poised for EPS growth in the coming year. During the past fiscal year, GILEAD SCIENCES INC increased its bottom line by earning $3.55 versus $3.30 in the prior year. This year, the market expects an improvement in earnings ($3.78 versus $3.55).
• Net operating cash flow has increased to $1,290.65 million or 36.82% when compared to the same quarter last year. Despite an increase in cash flow, GILEAD SCIENCES INC's average is still marginally south of the industry average growth rate of 38.46%.

Gilead Sciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, discovers, develops, and commercializes human therapeutics for the treatment of life threatening diseases worldwide. The company has a P/E ratio of 20.4, equal to the average drugs industry P/E ratio and above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Gilead has a market cap of $50.93 billion and is part of the health care sector and drugs industry. Shares are up 64.5% year to date as of the close of trading on Friday.

You can view the full Gilead Ratings Report or get investment ideas from our investment research center.

--Written by a member of TheStreet Ratings Staff.

FREE from Real Money's Jim Cramer: Winners and Losers Election 2012 - Steps to take NOW so you can profit no matter who is in charge! Free Download Now

 

For more information on Gilead Sciences Inc click any of the following:

• Gilead Sciences Inc Stock Price

• Gilead Sciences Inc Analyst Ratings

• Gilead Sciences Inc Key Stats & Profile

• Gilead Sciences Inc Earnings

• Gilead Sciences Inc Ratio Comparison

• Gilead Sciences Inc Growth Rates

• Gilead Sciences Inc Balance Sheet

• Gilead Sciences Inc Cash Flow

• Gilead Sciences Inc Income Statement