Gilead Sciences, Inc. vs Howmet Aerospace Inc — how do they compare? Gilead Sciences, Inc. trades at $136 (market cap $168.47B), while Howmet Aerospace Inc trades at $282.5 (market cap $112.31B). The key difference: Gilead Sciences, Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and Gilead Sciences, Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.41%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| GILD | HWM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $168.47B | $112.31B |
Sector | Health | Industrials |
52-Week High | $155.80 | $291.28 |
52-Week Low | $110.56 | $171.00 |
Enterprise Value | $191.54B | $116.42B |
Dividend Yield | 2.41% | 0.2% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Gilead Sciences (GILD) trades at $135.78, up 2.04% on the day, with a bullish technical signal and strong support at $134. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat revenue estimates despite a net loss, driven by 10% base business growth from HIV drugs like Biktarvy. The company raised its full-year sales outlook, but faces a negative net income margin of -10.64% and elevated debt levels.
The outlook is mixed: robust HIV franchise growth and a 67% analyst buy rating support upside to the $151.22 consensus target, but acquisition costs, patent cliff risks, and volatile cash flows pose challenges. Investment appeal hinges on pipeline execution offsetting margin pressure.
Howmet Aerospace (HWM) trades at $281.63, down 0.73% on the day, with strong technical support at $279 and resistance at $285. The company has consistently beaten earnings estimates, with Q2 2026 EPS of $1.33 exceeding expectations by 7.3%, driven by robust aerospace and defense demand. Analyst consensus remains strongly bullish with 84% buy ratings and a $334.63 price target, representing 19% upside potential.
Outlook remains positive with raised 2026 guidance and strong cash flow generation, though elevated valuation multiples (P/E 60.63) and significant capital expenditures present risks. The stock offers growth exposure to aerospace recovery but faces execution risks amid capacity expansion plans and supply chain challenges.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Gilead Sciences develops and markets therapies to treat life-threatening infectious diseases, with the core of its portfolio focused on HIV and hepatitis B and C. The acquisitions of Corus Pharma, Myogen, CV Therapeutics, Arresto Biosciences, and Calistoga have broadened this focus to include pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Gilead's acquisition of Pharmasset brought rights to hepatitis C drug Sovaldi, which is also part of combination drug Harvoni, and the Kite, Forty Seven, and Immunomedics acquisitions boost Gilead's exposure to cell therapy and noncell therapy in oncology.
Read more on GILD →Howmet Aerospace provides advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. It specializes in jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, and forged aluminum wheels.
Read more on HWM →