Gilead Sciences (GILD) vs Pfizer (PFE)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Gilead Sciences (GILD) has outperformed Pfizer (PFE) over the past year, gaining 25.7% versus a gain of 6.6%. Over five years, GILD leads with a +117.1% price change compared with -32.5% for PFE. Gilead Sciences is the larger company by market cap ($182.09 billion vs $159.59 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Pfizer trades at a lower forward P/E (9.7x vs 14.8x for Gilead Sciences). Pfizer offers the higher dividend yield (6.14% vs 2.19%). Gilead Sciences converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 28.9% versus 12.4%.
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 | GILD | PFE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $146.85 | $28.00 |
| Market cap | $182.09B | $159.59B |
| 1-day change | +1.82% | +1.82% |
| YTD return | +19.64% | +12.45% |
| 1-year return | +25.75% | +6.59% |
| 5-year return | +117.14% | -32.51% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | — | 36.36 |
| Forward P/E | 14.85 | 9.67 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-2.70 | $0.77 |
| Dividend yield | 2.19% | 6.14% |
| Annual dividend | $3.22 | $1.72 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $29.44B | $62.58B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.40% | -1.65% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $8.51B | $7.77B |
| Gross margin | 78.83% | 74.33% |
| Operating margin | 34.04% | — |
| Net margin | 28.90% | 12.42% |
| 52-week high | $157.29 | $29.21 |
| 52-week low | $114.02 | $23.62 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -6.64% | -4.14% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +8.46% | +3.25% |
| Average volume | 6.02M | 36.02M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.24B | 5.70B |
| Employees | 17,000 | 75,000 |
| Sector | Healthcare | Healthcare |
| Industry | Drug Manufacturers - General | Drug Manufacturers - General |
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
- GILD has outperformed PFE by 19.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Pfizer offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (6.14% vs 2.19%).
- Gilead Sciences is more profitable, keeping 28.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 12.4 cents for Pfizer.
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.
Healthcare · Drug Manufacturers - General · 17,000 employees
About Pfizer
PFE stock →Pfizer Inc. discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States and internationally.
Healthcare · Drug Manufacturers - General · 75,000 employees
GILD vs PFE FAQ
Which is bigger, Gilead Sciences or Pfizer?
Gilead Sciences (GILD) is larger, with a market capitalization of $182.09B compared with $159.59B for Pfizer (PFE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GILD or PFE?
GILD returned +25.75% over the past 12 months, compared with +6.59% for PFE (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Gilead Sciences or Pfizer?
Pfizer has the higher yield at 6.14%, compared with 2.19% for Gilead Sciences.
Are Gilead Sciences and Pfizer in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Drug Manufacturers - General industry within the Healthcare sector.