Gilead Sciences Earnings Preview: Analysts Expect Higher EPS, Revenue
Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD) unveils its next round of earnings this Thursday, October 27, 2011. Here's Benzinga's essential guide to Gilead Sciences' third quarter earnings report.
Earnings and Revenue:
Ahead of the company's earnings announcement, analysts are expecting a positive EPS reading of 96 cents/share and revenues of $2.11 billion. Gilead Sciences' latest numbers will no doubt be compared with the company's year-ago quarter, when it reported a profit of 85 cents/share on revenues of $1.94 billion. Can Gilead Sciences manage the estimated 12.9% rise in EPS and 8.8% increase in revenues from the year-ago quarter as analysts are predicting? We'll have to wait until Thursday to find out.
Here's how the company's reported EPS has stacked up against analyst estimates in the past:
| Quarter | Q2 | Q1 | Q4 | Q3 |
| EPS Estimate | $0.96 | $0.92 | $0.89 | $0.84 |
| EPS Actual | $0.95 | $0.82 | $0.90 | $0.85 |
Stock Performance:
As of October 21, 2011, Gilead Sciences' current share price was $41.47. Shares are up 14.4% year to date. For a full 12 months, the return has risen by 5.1%. Given that these returns are generally positive, long-term shareholders are probably satisfied going into this earnings release.
- Long-term shareholders are already enjoying 12-month gains prior to the announcement
Average Stock Rating:
The average rating by analysts for Gilead Sciences is a Moderate Buy. Over the past three months this rating's strength has declined slightly.
Competitors:
Wondering how Gilead Sciences compares to rivals in the same sector? Here are a few of the company's peers.
- Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY): Hold with a $0.56 recent quarter EPS
- GlaxoSmithKline plc (ADR (NYSE: GSK): Hold with a $0.81 recent quarter EPS
- BIOCRYST PHARMACEUTICALS (BCRX): Moderate Buy with a -$0.36 recent quarter EPS
The medical-bioengineering company's industry has seen price/earnings growth of 0.3% during the current fiscal year.
Finally, a description of the company's main areas of operation: Gilead Sciences is a biopharmaceutical company which discovers, develops and commercializes therapies for viral diseases, infectious diseases and cancer.
Take Action:
Now that you have reviewed all the numbers, be ready to move if the upcoming Gilead Sciences earnings report has any surprises. Also, come back to Benzinga after the announcement for a full recap and a guide to your next steps.
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