CVS Health Corporation (CVS) vs Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD)

GILD leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of CVS Health Corporation and Gilead Sciences, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — CVS vs GILD

growth of $100 · last 30y
CVS +886.1%GILD +14253.1%GILD compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $100200120062011201620212026$986$14,353
CVS GILD

CVS vs GILD: by the numbers

  • GILD is the larger company ($155.93B vs $130.09B market cap).
  • GILD trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.11 vs 44.92 P/E).
  • GILD converts more revenue to profit (30.99% vs 0.72% net margin).
  • CVS grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.52% vs 3.07% CAGR).
  • CVS pays the higher dividend yield (2.61% vs 1.91%).

Which is better, CVS or GILD?

Metric tally: CVS 5 · GILD 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueGILD(lower P/E)
GrowthCVS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCVS(higher dividend yield)
QualityGILD(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricCVSGILD
P/E ratio44.9217.11
Forward P/E12.1713.00
P/S ratio0.325.30
P/B ratio1.686.70
PEG ratio0.01
EV / EBITDA17.9012.91
FCF yield5.67%6.49%

Profitability

MetricCVSGILD
Gross margin13.87%79.35%
Operating margin1.46%38.26%
Net margin0.72%30.99%
ROE3.79%39.19%
ROIC4.72%21.53%

Dividends

MetricCVSGILD
Dividend yield2.61%1.91%
Payout ratio190.00%35.09%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCVSGILD
Revenue CAGR (5Y)8.52%3.07%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-23.89%133.83%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-10.57%3.30%
Total return CAGR (5Y)7.06%17.06%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CVS or GILD?
It depends on your goal. value: GILD (lower P/E); growth: CVS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CVS (higher dividend yield); quality: GILD (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, GILD leads 11 to 5.
Is CVS or GILD cheaper?
On trailing earnings, GILD is cheaper: CVS trades at a 44.92 P/E and GILD at 17.11.
Which has grown faster, CVS or GILD?
Over the past five years, CVS grew revenue faster — CVS at a 8.52% CAGR versus GILD at 3.07%.
Does CVS or GILD pay a bigger dividend?
CVS yields 2.61% and GILD yields 1.91% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CVS or GILD more profitable?
GILD runs the higher net margin — CVS at 0.72% versus GILD at 30.99%.
Which has been the better investment, CVS or GILD?
Over the past 10-year, GILD delivered the higher annualized total return — CVS at 3.66% versus GILD at 7.79%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 14, 2026.