Can Gilead Sciences Outrun Regeneron Pharmaceuticals in the Next Rally?
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals surged 19% during the past Month. You may be tempted to buy more, or may want to reduce your exposure. But there is an entirely different perspective you might be missing. Is there a better alternative? Turns out, its peer Gilead Sciences gives you more. Gilead Sciences (GILD) stock offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN) stock, suggesting you may be better off investing in GILD
- GILD’s quarterly revenue growth was 3.0%, vs. REGN’s 0.9%.
- In addition, its Last 3-Year Average revenue growth came in at 2.3%, ahead of REGN’s 1.4%.
- GILD leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 38.3% and 3-year average of 39.2%.
These differences become even clearer when you look at the financials side by side. The data highlights how REGN’s fundamentals stack up against those of GILD on growth, margins, momentum, and valuation multiples.
Valuation & Performance Overview
| REGN | GILD | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 18.5 | 13.8 | GILD |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | 0.9% | 3.0% | GILD |
| Last 12 Months | 2.9% | 2.8% | REGN |
| Last 3 Year Average | 1.4% | 2.3% | GILD |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 26.7% | 38.3% | GILD |
| Last 3 Year Average | 30.0% | 39.2% | GILD |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | -6.8% | 67.9% | GILD |
Note: For “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell off.
See more revenue details: REGN Revenue Comparison | GILD Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: REGN Operating Income Comparison | GILD Operating Income Comparison
You can see detailed fundamentals on Buy or Sell GILD Stock and Buy or Sell REGN Stock and assess yourself which stock looks better. Nevertheless, asset allocation is a smarter path than stock picking. The asset allocation strategies of Trefis’ Boston-based, wealth management partner yielded positive returns during the 2008-09 period when the S&P lost more than 40%. And now, Trefis High Quality Portfolio is part of it.
Getting back to comparison, let’s check out how these two stocks have performed for investors in the last few years.
Historical Market Performance
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| REGN Return | 29% | 31% | 14% | 22% | -19% | -5% | 80% | ||
| GILD Return | -7% | 30% | 24% | -2% | 19% | 36% | 138% | <=== | |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 112% | ||
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| REGN Win Rate | 50% | 67% | 50% | 58% | 50% | 50% | 54% | ||
| GILD Win Rate | 33% | 58% | 33% | 42% | 67% | 70% | 51% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 70% | 64% | <=== | |
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| REGN Max Drawdown | -10% | -8% | -13% | -6% | -20% | -32% | -15% | ||
| GILD Max Drawdown | -9% | 0% | -20% | -12% | -21% | -3% | -11% | <=== | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | -12% | ||
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] 2025 data is for the year up to 11/12/2025 (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
No matter how good the numbers, stock investment is never a smooth ride. There is a risk you must factor in. Read REGN Dip Buyer Analyses to see how the stock has fallen and recovered in the past.
Whatever your view on either of these stocks, investing in one or two stocks remains a risky proposition. Instead, the Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio, with a collection of 30 stocks, has a track record of comfortably outperforming its benchmark that includes all 3 — the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000 indices. Why is that? As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks provided better returns with less risk versus the benchmark index; less of a roller-coaster ride, as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.