New York, Jan 27, 2026, 14:29 (EST) — Regular session
- Shares of Gilead climbed roughly 2% in afternoon trading, pushing the stock to fresh 12-month highs after several days of gains.
- Citi and Truist raised price targets in their latest biotech previews, building on this week’s upbeat calls from UBS and BMO.
- Investors are closely tracking early signs from Yeztugo, Gilead’s twice-yearly HIV prevention injection, as results expected in early February approach.
Shares of Gilead Sciences climbed $2.46, or 1.8%, to $140.24 Tuesday afternoon, hitting a fresh 12-month peak at $141.69 earlier in the session.
The stock’s steady climb is pulling momentum money back into big-cap biotech, as traders focus on research notes suggesting estimates are beatable and policy noise is calming down. This is key since Gilead heads into earnings season with expectations narrowing and the shares already reflecting a clean quarter.
UBS noted on Monday that U.S. drugmakers and biotech firms might see gains this year thanks to “attractive valuations” and “easing drug pricing overhangs.” The firm also highlighted that pharma-driven deal activity is still flowing into biotech. TipRanks
On Tuesday, Citi bumped its price target on Gilead to $156 from $140, maintaining a Buy rating. Truist also raised its target, moving it to $145 from $140, and kept its Buy stance. Meanwhile, BMO Capital lifted its target to $150 from $135 in a note issued Monday.
A “price target” reflects an analyst’s forecast for where a stock might trade within the next year. On a tape like this, the changes in those targets often carry as much weight as the actual figures, particularly when the stock is already near its peak.
Much of the bullishness hinges on Yeztugo, Gilead’s latest HIV prevention injection for PrEP—medication designed to block HIV infection. CEO Daniel O’Day said earlier this month that “CVS has confirmed their coverage of Yeztugo as of January 1, putting us at more than 80% (insurer) coverage overall,” a crucial barrier for a pricey specialty drug. Reuters
The bid started gaining momentum on Monday. Gilead climbed 1.36% to finish at $137.78, marking its fourth consecutive rise and hitting a fresh 52-week high on unusually heavy volume. It outperformed Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and Abbott throughout the day.
Technicals are heating up. Investor’s Business Daily noted Gilead’s Relative Strength Rating, which tracks price performance against other stocks over the past 52 weeks, climbed to 83 from 79. However, it also warned that the shares are now stretched past the optimal buy zone after breaking above $127.41.
Still, the rapid rise leaves scant margin for error. If Yeztugo prescriptions falter or payers start resisting on access and pricing, the trade could unwind fast. The stock is already stretched and heavily favored by longs.
Gilead plans to release earnings around Feb. 10. Investors will be watching closely for fresh sales data on Yeztugo and any shifts in the company’s outlook for 2026 demand.
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