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Gilead Sciences (GILD) stock falls as Q4 earnings miss estimates

Biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) reported a decline in fourth-quarter earnings, despite a modest increase in revenues. Earnings fell short of expectations, while revenues beat. The company’s stock dropped soon after the announcement during Monday’s extended trading session.

Fourth-quarter adjusted earnings decreased to $1.30 per share from $1.44 per share a year earlier. Analysts were looking for a bigger bottom-line number.

Gross margin was negatively impacted by an increase in selling costs amid inventory write-downs, which was partially offset by lower royalty expenses and R&D expenses.

Net income, on an unadjusted basis, came in at $2.7 billion or $2.12 per share, compared to flat earnings in the prior-year period. The improvement primarily reflects favorable tax effects and gains from equity securities.

Revenue up

Revenues, meanwhile, edged up 1% year-over-year to $5.88 billion and exceeded the market’s prediction. At $5.8 billion, product sales were up 2%. Product sales in the U.S market were unchanged from the prior-year period, but Europe registred a model decline.

Product-wise, higher sales volumes of HIV drug Biktarvy pushed up overall sales. However, it was partially offset by a drop in the sales of chronic hepatitis C virus products.

Outlook

For fiscal 2020, the company currently forecasts product sales in the range of $21.8 billion to $22.2 billion, and unadjusted earnings between $5.15 per share and $5.55 per share. On an adjusted basis, full-year earnings are forecast to be in the $6.05-$6.45 range. The management sees research and development expenses to increase in the mid-single-digit percentage.

Related: Gilead Q3 2019 Earnings Conference Call

Gilead Sciences shares made strong gains this week and closed Tuesday’s regular session higher. The stock, which witnessed significant volatility in the past twelve months, rose 17% since the beginning of the year.

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