Gilead Sciences Inc. Q4 Profit Retreats

(RTTNews) - Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD) released earnings for fourth quarter that retreated compared to the same period last year.

The company said its bottom line totaled $2.34 billion, or $1.78 per share. This was lower than $3.59 billion, or $2.70 per share, in last year's fourth quarter.

Analysts had expected the company to earn $1.67 per share, according figures compiled by Thomson Reuters. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

The company said revenue for the quarter fell 18.7% to $5.95 billion. This was down from $7.32 billion last year.

Gilead Sciences Inc. earnings at a glance:

-Earnings (Q4): $2.34 Bln. vs. $3.59 Bln. last year. -Earnings Decline (Y-o-Y): -34.8% -EPS (Q4): $1.78 vs. $2.70 last year. -EPS Decline (Y-o-Y): -34.1% -Analysts Estimate: $1.67 -Revenue (Q4): $5.95 Bln vs. $7.32 Bln last year. -Revenue Change (Y-o-Y): -18.7%

-Guidance: Full year EPS guidance: $1.41 - $1.51 Full year revenue guidance: $20 - $21 Bln