Gilead CEO Cashes Out Billions Through Option Exercise Amid Earnings and Dividend Announcements

Daniel O’Day, chairman and CEO of U.S. biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD), sold 10,000 shares on January 28 under a prearranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan and, on February 5, exercised approximately 115,000 stock options and sold all the shares, securing roughly KRW 200 billion in cash. According to disclosures, he sold existing holdings worth about $14 million (around KRW 18 billion) and separately retained Gilead common stock valued at approximately $76 million (about KRW 1.2 trillion), maintaining a significant equity stake as an executive.

In its February 10 release of fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 financial results, the company reported quarterly revenue of $7.9 billion (approximately KRW 10 trillion) and annual revenue of $29.4 billion (around KRW 38 trillion). It projected 2026 product sales of $29.6–30.0 billion, non-GAAP earnings per share of $8.45–8.85, and announced a quarterly dividend of $0.82 (roughly KRW 1,100).

The company also recently announced a 3.8% increase in its quarterly dividend, raising it from $0.79 to $0.82 per share starting in first-quarter 2026, with a record date of March 13 and a payment date of March 30.

Analysts have been raising price targets based on the firm’s performance and pipeline, with Citigroup boosting its Gilead target from $140 to $156 at the end of January while maintaining a “Buy” rating.

Gilead, headquartered in Foster City, California, is a leading global biopharmaceutical company specializing in antiviral therapies for HIV, hepatitis C, hepatitis B and COVID-19, as well as oncology and inflammation treatments. As of 2025, it has annual sales in the KRW 30-trillion range. Daniel O’Day—who built his career at major multinational pharmaceutical companies before joining Gilead—is credited with driving significant mergers and acquisitions and expanding the company’s HIV and oncology portfolios.