Exelixis (EXEL) vs Gilead Sciences (GILD)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Exelixis (EXEL) has outperformed Gilead Sciences (GILD) over the past year, gaining 47.5% versus a gain of 25.7%. Over five years, EXEL leads with a +167.8% price change compared with +117.1% for GILD. Gilead Sciences is the larger company by market cap ($182.40 billion vs $14.62 billion), about 12.5 times the size, while Exelixis is growing revenue faster (+7.0% vs +2.4%).
On valuation, Exelixis trades at a lower forward P/E (13.9x vs 14.9x for Gilead Sciences). Gilead Sciences pays a dividend yielding 2.19%, while Exelixis does not currently pay one. Exelixis converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 33.7% versus 28.9%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | EXEL | GILD |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $59.02 | $147.10 |
| Market cap | $14.62B | $182.40B |
| 1-day change | +0.99% | +0.17% |
| YTD return | +33.33% | +19.64% |
| 1-year return | +47.46% | +25.75% |
| 5-year return | +167.83% | +117.14% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 18.62 | — |
| Forward P/E | 13.92 | 14.87 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.17 | $-2.65 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 2.19% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $3.22 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.32B | $29.44B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.98% | +2.40% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $782.57M | $8.51B |
| Gross margin | 96.39% | 78.83% |
| Operating margin | 37.59% | 34.04% |
| Net margin | 33.73% | 28.90% |
| 52-week high | $61.14 | $157.29 |
| 52-week low | $33.76 | $114.02 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -3.47% | -6.48% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | -7.61% | +8.27% |
| Average volume | 2.34M | 6.01M |
| Shares outstanding | 247.78M | 1.24B |
| Employees | 1,077 | 17,000 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Biotechnology: Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances) | Biotechnology: Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances) |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Gilead Sciences is about 12.5 times larger than Exelixis by market value ($182.40B vs $14.62B).
- EXEL has outperformed GILD by 21.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Gilead Sciences offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.19% vs 0.00%).
About Exelixis
EXEL stock →Exelixis, Inc., an oncology company, focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of new medicines for difficult-to-treat cancers in the United States. The company offers CABOMETYX tablets for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma who received prior anti-angiogenic therapy; and COMETRIQ capsules for the treatment of progressive and metastatic medullary thyroid cancer.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances) · 1,077 employees
About Gilead Sciences
GILD stock →Gilead Sciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, discovers, develops, and commercializes medicines in the areas of unmet medical need in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company provides Biktarvy, Descovy, Genvoya, Odefsey, Sunlenca, Symtuza, and YeztugoFor the treatment of HIV-1 infection in patients.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances) · 17,000 employees
EXEL vs GILD FAQ
Which is bigger, Exelixis or Gilead Sciences?
Gilead Sciences (GILD) is larger, with a market capitalization of $182.40B compared with $14.62B for Exelixis (EXEL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, EXEL or GILD?
EXEL returned +47.46% over the past 12 months, compared with +25.75% for GILD (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Exelixis or Gilead Sciences?
Gilead Sciences pays a dividend yielding 2.19%, while Exelixis does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Exelixis and Gilead Sciences in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances) industry within the Health Care sector.