Leerink analyst Geoffrey Porges, who noted he has "written extensively about the imperative for Gilead to diversify their portfolio and secure additional pipeline programs," said in a new note to investors that he believes an acquisition of Incyte (INCY) would make sense for Gilead (GILD). At a "reasonable acquisition premium," Gilead could pay $173-$187 per share for Incyte and its earnings would be diluted through 2018, but thereafter would be increased by such a deal, estimated Porges. The analyst, who concluded that Incyte presents a high-risk/high-reward option for Gilead, keeps a Market perform rating on Gilead shares.

Cantor Fitzgerald lowered the firm's price target on Gilead to $75 from $78 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm, which made slight adjustments to all of its large-cap biotechnology models ahead of Q1 earnings season for the group, lowered its target for Gilead given slower expected HIV growth. The "usual seasonal headwinds that typically make this one of the weaker quarters for the industry," the analyst added in the preview note.