BIIB vs GILD Stock Comparison: AI Score, Valuation, Performance and Upside
Both BIIB and GILD are large-cap biotechs with established specialty drug franchises facing varying degrees of competitive pressure and working to build next-generation growth drivers. Gilead has a more durable, highly cash-generative HIV franchise, while Biogen is navigating a more complex MS decline and Alzheimer's commercial uncertainty.
BIIB vs GILD compares two established large-cap biotechs — Biogen's neurology-focused franchise navigating MS decline and Alzheimer's opportunity, versus Gilead's stable HIV cash engine expanding into oncology.
GILD holds the edge across 3 of 5 key metrics in this comparison. BIIB leads on both 1-year return (+55.33%) and forward P/E (11.99x vs 12.99x for GILD), a relatively favorable combination of momentum and valuation. GILD leads on both revenue growth (4.40%) and operating margin (39.28%), suggesting a stronger fundamental setup on both dimensions. Analyst consensus implies meaningfully more upside for GILD (+25.46%) than for BIIB (+10.29%).
- →See potential value in Biogen's Alzheimer's franchise if Leqembi adoption accelerates
- →Believe the multiple sclerosis franchise provides adequate near-term cash generation
- →Are comfortable with higher execution uncertainty in exchange for Alzheimer's disease upside potential
- →Want exposure to a stable, large-cap biotech with a durable HIV cash cow
- →Value Gilead's expanding oncology portfolio in breast cancer and CAR-T
- →Prefer a more predictable, income-generating biotech with a meaningful dividend
| Metric | BIIB | GILD |
|---|---|---|
| AI score | 28.5 | 41.3 |
| AI rank | #2417 | #967 |
| Latest close | $196.58 | $123.76 |
| 1M return | +3.16% | -5.16% |
| 6M return | +14.22% | +1.98% |
| 1Y return | +55.33% | +14.59% |
How much would $10,000 be worth today if invested at the start of each period, with all dividends reinvested?
| Period | BIIB | GILD |
|---|---|---|
| 1Y ago | $15.54K (+55.4%) started 2025-06-18 | $11.46K (+14.6%) started 2025-06-18 |
| 5Y ago | $5.16K (-48.4%) started 2021-06-21 | $25.04K (+150.4%) started 2021-06-21 |
| 10Y ago | $8.28K (-17.2%) started 2016-06-20 | $29.99K (+199.9%) started 2016-06-20 |
Hypothetical — past performance does not guarantee future results.
| Metric | BIIB | GILD |
|---|---|---|
| Market cap | $29.53B | $155.93B |
| Trailing P/E | 21.51 | 17.09 |
| Forward P/E | 11.99 | 12.99 |
| Price/Sales | 1.99 | 4.87 |
| EV/Revenue | 3.20 | 5.66 |
| Analyst target | $220.63 | $157.57 |
| Target upside | +10.29% | +25.46% |
| Metric | BIIB | GILD |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue growth | 1.90% | 4.40% |
| Earnings growth | 31.10% | 54.80% |
| EPS growth | +31.10% | +54.80% |
| FCF margin | +19.43% | +26.68% |
| Operating margin | 22.90% | 39.28% |
| Profit margin | 13.80% | 30.99% |
| ROIC proxy | 7.70% | 43.36% |
| Return on equity | 7.70% | 43.36% |
| Dividend yield | N/A | 2.61% |
| Beta | 0.18 | 0.33 |
| Debt/equity | 35.18 | 94.64 |
| Current ratio | 3.06 | 1.97 |
| Quick ratio | 2.02 | 1.54 |
Lower drawdown and smaller single-period drops generally indicate a smoother ride, though they do not guarantee lower future risk.
| Period | Metric | BIIB | GILD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Y | Growth | +55.35% | +14.59% |
| CAGR | +55.45% | +14.61% | |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.36 | 0.48 | |
| Max drawdown | 14.34% | 22.03% | |
| Max daily drop | 6.43% | 4.28% | |
| Max wkly drop | 12.37% | 5.98% | |
| 5Y | Growth | -48.39% | +113.43% |
| CAGR | -12.41% | +16.40% | |
| Sharpe ratio | -0.36 | 0.56 | |
| Max drawdown | 70.23% | 26.59% | |
| Max daily drop | 7.39% | 10.15% | |
| Max wkly drop | 13.62% | 9.78% | |
| 10Y | Growth | -17.19% | +105.64% |
| CAGR | -1.87% | +7.48% | |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.04 | 0.23 | |
| Max drawdown | 72.66% | 30.47% | |
| Max daily drop | 29.23% | 10.15% | |
| Max wkly drop | 34.30% | 12.29% |
| Category | BIIB | GILD |
|---|---|---|
| Company | Biogen Inc. | Gilead Sciences, Inc. |
| Sector | Healthcare | Healthcare |
| Industry | Drug Manufacturers - General | Drug Manufacturers - General |
| Core business | Biogen is a large-cap biotechnology company focused on neurological diseases, including its established multiple sclerosis franchise (Tecfidera, Tysabri, Avonex) and its controversial Alzheimer's disease drugs (Aduhelm, Leqembi) developed in partnership with Eisai. | Gilead Sciences is a large-cap biotechnology company known for its dominant HIV antiretroviral franchise (Biktarvy, Descovy) and oncology portfolio (Trodelvy, Yescarta), with ongoing efforts to expand in viral hepatitis, inflammation, and other areas. |
| Investor focus | Investors track Leqembi adoption for Alzheimer's disease, Biogen's multiple sclerosis franchise durability against biosimilar and competitive pressure, and the overall pipeline strategy to offset declining MS revenues. | Investors track Biktarvy's HIV market leadership, Trodelvy's expansion in breast cancer and beyond, Yescarta's performance in CAR-T therapy, and Gilead's business development pipeline to supplement internal R&D. |
- →Established leader in multiple sclerosis with a broad portfolio of FDA-approved therapies
- →Leqembi (lecanemab) represents a potential franchise in Alzheimer's if it achieves meaningful commercial adoption
- →Strong balance sheet and free cash flow provides flexibility for acquisitions and pipeline investment
- →Biktarvy is the leading HIV treatment with a large, stable, recurring revenue base from patients on long-term therapy
- →Oncology portfolio through Trodelvy (breast cancer) and Yescarta (CAR-T) provides diversification beyond HIV
- →Strong cash flow from HIV franchise funds acquisitions and pipeline investment
- →MS franchise faces biosimilar competition and revenue pressure as key drugs lose exclusivity
- →Leqembi has seen slow initial commercial adoption due to complex administration, safety monitoring, and payer access issues
- →Biogen has had a difficult period of strategic uncertainty following the controversial and then withdrawn Aduhelm Alzheimer's drug
- →HIV franchise, while durable, faces eventual long-acting injectable competition and generics over time
- →Oncology products Trodelvy and Yescarta are growing but still represent a smaller share of revenue than HIV
- →Gilead has a mixed recent track record with its acquisitions relative to the prices paid
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