Danaher vs Gilead (DHR vs GILD)
Danaher (DHR) vs Gilead (GILD) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.
Danaher (DHR) and Gilead (GILD) compete in healthcare and pharma. Here are Danaher and Gilead side by side with their real figures as of November 4, 2026: what sets them apart, which fits each kind of investor and the most common questions, without telling you whether to buy Danaher or Gilead.
Danaher vs Gilead: the figures
| Figure | Danaher | Gilead |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $234.93 (November 4, 2026) | $174.48 (November 4, 2026) |
| Market cap | $165.2 billion | $216.4 billion |
| P/E (TTM) | 38.9x | N/A |
| Forward P/E | 25.2x | 17.3x |
| Revenue growth (quarter) | +8.3% | +6.8% |
| Net margin (TTM) | 16.9% | -12.5% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 2.7x | 1.2x |
| Dividend yield | 0.70% | 1.96% |
| Beta | 0.80 | 0.37 |
Danaher and Gilead figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that Danaher or Gilead figure is not available, and we never estimate it.
3 key differences between Danaher and Gilead
- Profitability: for every 100 of sales, Danaher keeps 16.9 as net profit and Gilead keeps -12.5.
- Dividend: Gilead yields 1.96% at today's price and Danaher yields 0.70%.
- Volatility: Danaher stock moves more (beta 0.80) than Gilead (beta 0.37); the higher the beta, the more it amplifies market swings.
Danaher or Gilead: which fits your profile
- If you want growth: Danaher is growing faster today, so it fits better with investors who put business growth first, usually accepting a higher P/E and a bumpier ride.
- If you want income (dividends): Gilead pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
- If you prefer caution: Gilead has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
Neither Danaher nor Gilead wins on everything, and owning both is also an option: spreading money across several companies or an index fund reduces what rides on each one.
How Danaher and Gilead make money
Danaher (DHR)
Danaher sells instruments, reagents and consumables to labs, hospitals and drugmakers. Diagnostics, its largest segment, includes Beckman Coulter Diagnostics, Cepheid, Radiometer and Leica Biosystems. Biotechnology, built around Cytiva, supplies tools for making biologic drugs, and Life Sciences includes SCIEX, Leica Microsystems and IDT. Full Danaher analysis.
Gilead (GILD)
Gilead Sciences is a biotech whose largest revenue source is HIV treatment and prevention, led by Biktarvy, alongside Descovy and Yeztugo. It also sells cancer drugs, including Trodelvy and Kite's cell therapies Yescarta and Tecartus, liver disease treatments such as Epclusa and Livdelzi, and the antiviral Veklury. Full Gilead analysis.
Frequently asked questions: Danaher vs Gilead
Is Danaher or Gilead the better stock?
Choosing between Danaher and Gilead depends on what you are looking for. Danaher is growing faster right now. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy Danaher or Gilead: it shows you the differences so you can decide.
Which pays a higher dividend, Danaher or Gilead?
As of November 4, 2026, Gilead yields 1.96% and Danaher yields 0.70%. Also check how much of their profit Danaher and Gilead pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.
Can I own both Danaher and Gilead?
Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as Danaher and Gilead, or use index funds so they do not depend on just one. If you are starting out, decide how much you want to invest and for how long before buying Danaher or Gilead.
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More companies like Danaher and Gilead: healthcare and pharma stocks. Educational content about Danaher and Gilead, not investment advice.