By Deena Beasley
Feb 10 (Reuters) - Gilead Sciences on Tuesday reported fourth-quarter sales and profit that came in slightly above Wall Street estimates, while its 2026 financial forecast was at the lower end of analysts' expectations.
Quarterly sales of HIV prevention drug Yeztugo, which was launched in the U.S. last year as a twice-yearly injection, totaled $96 million, beating the $88 million forecast by Wall Street, according to LSEG data. Gilead said it expects 2026 Yeztugo sales of $800 million.
"Our HIV business is going from strength to strength," Gilead CEO Daniel O'Day said in an interview.
The company, based in Foster City, California, posted quarterly adjusted earnings per share of $1.86 on revenue of $7.9 billion. Wall Street analysts, on average, expected $1.81 per share and revenue of $7.7 billion.
Fourth-quarter sales of HIV drug Biktarvy totaled $4 billion, coming in ahead of analyst estimates of $3.8 billion.
For 2026, Gilead said it expects adjusted earnings per share of $8.45 to $8.85. Analysts have projected earnings of $8.75 per share, 10 cents higher than the Gilead forecast midpoint.
Gilead foresees 2026 product sales of $29.6 billion to $30 billion, while analysts are looking for $30.2 billion.
O'Day said Gilead trimmed its outlook for 2026 sales growth by about 2% due to a pricing agreement with the Trump Administration and uncertainty about the number of people who will retain insurance coverage under Affordable Care Act plans now that some government subsidies have expired.
(Reporting By Deena BeasleyEditing by Bill Berkrot)
