Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD): Growing Popularity as Defensive Stock

We just covered the 14 Best Defensive Stocks to Invest In Now and Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) ranks 4th on this list.

Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) has transitioned away from its volatile COVID-19 treatment revenue from Veklury. The core business in HIV and a growing oncology pipeline provide the firm with high-visibility, non-discretionary earnings. The defensive strength is the dominant position in the HIV market, which functions similarly to a utility because the treatments are life-sustaining and non-discretionary. Gilead’s HIV portfolio generated $20.8 billion in 2025. Patients rarely switch treatments once stabilized, creating a highly predictable cash flow that is unaffected by broader economic cycles. During the Barclays Healthcare Conference in March, CFO Andrew Dickinson emphasized that Gilead faces no major loss of exclusivity until 2036. This runway provides a level of safety that is rare in the pharma sector. Yeztugo, the first twice-yearly HIV prevention therapy, is expected to hit $800 million in sales in 2026.

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Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) stock is a favorite for income-focused funds because of its aggressive cash return to shareholders. In February, the board raised the quarterly dividend to $0.82 per share, marking another year of consecutive growth. As of April, the forward dividend yield stands at approximately 2.4%, backed by a healthy non-GAAP EPS guidance of $8.45–$8.85 for the full year. To bolster its defensive profile, Gilead has spent the last five years diversifying into oncology, which now accounts for about 12% of total revenue. Products like Trodelvy and cell therapies are seeing double-digit growth. This provides a growth kicker on top of the defensive HIV base, diversifying the company’s risk across different therapeutic areas.

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