Want to see GILD full AI Analyst Report?
Risk Overview Q2, 2026
Risk Distribution
18% Tech & Innovation
18% Legal & Regulatory
18% Production
18% Ability to Sell
14% Finance & Corporate
14% Macro & Political
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
This chart displays the stock's most recent risk distribution according to category. TipRanks has identified 6 major categories: Finance & corporate, legal & regulatory, macro & political, production, tech & innovation, and ability to sell.
Risk Change Over Time
S&P500 Average
Sector Average
Risks removed
Risks added
Risks changed
Gilead Sciences Risk Factors
New Risk (0)
Risk Changed (0)
Risk Removed (0)
No changes from previous report
The chart shows the number of risks a company has disclosed. You can compare this to the sector average or S&P 500 average.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
Risk Highlights Q2, 2026
Main Risk Category
Tech & Innovation
With 4 Risks
Tech & Innovation
With 4 Risks
Number of Disclosed Risks
22
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
22
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
Recent Changes
0Risks added
0Risks removed
0Risks changed
Since Jun 2026
0Risks added
0Risks removed
0Risks changed
Since Jun 2026
Number of Risk Changed
0
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 1
0
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 1
See the risk highlights of Gilead Sciences in the last period.
Risk Word Cloud
The most common phrases about risk factors from the most recent report. Larger texts indicate more widely used phrases.
Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 22
Tech & Innovation
Total Risks: 4/22 (18%)Above Sector Average
Innovation / R&D2 | 9.1%
Innovation / R&D - Risk 1
We face risks in our clinical trials, including the potential for unfavorable results, delays in anticipated timelines and disruption.Innovation / R&D - Risk 2
Our success depends on developing and commercializing new products or expanding the indications for existing products.If we are unable to launch commercially successful new products or new indications for existing products, including approval for earlier lines of therapy, our business will be adversely impacted. The launch of commercially successful products is necessary to grow our business, cover our substantial R&D expenses, and offset revenue losses when existing products lose market share due to factors such as competition and loss of patent exclusivity. There are many difficulties and uncertainties inherent in drug development and the introduction of new products. The product development cycle is characterized by significant investments of resources, long lead times and unpredictable outcomes due to the nature of developing medicines for human use. We expend significant time and resources on our product pipeline as well as on preparations for potential commercial launch without any assurance that we will recoup our investments or that our efforts will be commercially successful. A high rate of failure is inherent in the discovery and development of new products, and failure can occur at any point in the process, including late in the process after substantial investment. Such failures have had, and may have in the future, a negative impact on our business and financial results, including as a result of our inability to recover R&D, clinical trial, acquisition-related and other expenses incurred in connection with the development of and launch preparations for our product candidates. For example, we enter into commitments to purchase materials and supplies in anticipation of the potential manufacture and sale of new product candidates, and if the development, approval or launch of these product candidates is delayed or otherwise unsuccessful, we may experience excess inventory that needs to be written down, losses on firm commitments to purchase inventory, or other related costs and expenses resulting from such commitments.
Additionally, we face public attention and scrutiny related to the complex decisions we make concerning the pricing, global supply and distribution, allocation and intellectual property of our commercialized products as well as other factors that may contribute to patient access to our medicines, all of which may adversely affect our business and our corporate reputation.
Trade Secrets1 | 4.5%
Trade Secrets - Risk 1
Our success depends to a significant degree on our ability to obtain and defend our patents and other intellectual property rights both domestically and internationally, and to operate without infringing upon the patents or other proprietary rights of third parties.Cyber Security1 | 4.5%
Cyber Security - Risk 1
Information system service interruptions or breaches, including significant cybersecurity incidents, could give rise to legal liability and regulatory action under data protection and privacy laws and adversely affect our business and operations.Legal & Regulatory
Total Risks: 4/22 (18%)Below Sector Average
Regulation2 | 9.1%
Regulation - Risk 1
We are impacted by evolving laws, regulations and legislative or regulatory actions applicable to the healthcare industry.Regulation - Risk 2
Our operations depend on compliance with complex FDA and comparable international regulations. Failure to obtain broad approvals on a timely basis or to maintain compliance, including if significant safety issues arise for our marketed products or our product candidates, could delay or halt commercialization of our products.The products we develop must be approved for marketing and sale by regulatory authorities and, once approved, are subject to extensive regulation by FDA, EMA and comparable regulatory agencies in other countries. We have filed, and anticipate that we will continue to file, for marketing approval in additional countries and for additional indications and products. These and any future marketing applications we file may not be approved by the regulatory authorities on a timely basis, or at all, and changes or disruptions at FDA or other regulatory agencies, including as a result of budget cuts and employee layoffs, could impair the ability of these agencies to timely review and process our applications. Even if marketing approval is granted for our product candidates, there may be significant limitations on their use. We cannot state with certainty when or whether any of our product candidates under development will be approved or launched; whether we will be able to develop, license or acquire additional product candidates or products; or whether any products, once launched, will be commercially successful.
Further, how we manufacture and sell our products is subject to extensive regulation and review. For example, under FDA rules, we are often required to conduct post-approval clinical studies to assess a known serious risk, signals of serious risk or to identify an unexpected serious risk. In certain circumstances, we may be required to implement a REMS program for our products, which could include a medication guide, patient package insert, a communication plan to healthcare providers, restrictions on distribution or use of a product and other elements FDA deems necessary to assure safe use of the drug. Discovery of previously unknown problems with our marketed products or product candidates, including serious safety, resistance or drug interaction issues, or problems with our manufacturing, safety reporting or promotional activities, may result in regulatory approvals being delayed, denied or granted with significant restrictions on our products, including limitations on or the withdrawal of the products from the market.
As additional studies are conducted after obtaining marketing approval for our products, and as our products are used over longer periods of time by many patients, including patients with underlying health problems or those taking other medicines, we expect to continue finding new issues related to safety, resistance or drug interactions. Any such issues may require changes to our product labels, such as additional warnings, contraindications or even narrowed indications, or the halt of product sales.
Regulatory authorities have been moving towards more active and transparent pharmacovigilance and are making greater amounts of stand-alone safety information and clinical trial data directly available to the public through websites and other means, such as periodic safety update report summaries, risk management plan summaries and various adverse event data. Safety information, without the appropriate context and expertise, may be misinterpreted and lead to misperception or legal action.
Failure to comply with these or other requirements imposed by FDA could result in significant civil monetary penalties, fines, suspensions of regulatory approvals, product recalls, seizure of products and criminal prosecutions.
Litigation & Legal Liabilities1 | 4.5%
Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 1
We face potentially significant liability and increased expenses from litigation and government investigations relating to our products and operations.Taxation & Government Incentives1 | 4.5%
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 1
Changes in our effective income tax rate could reduce our earnings.Production
Total Risks: 4/22 (18%)Above Sector Average
Manufacturing1 | 4.5%
Manufacturing - Risk 1
Certain of our products subject us to additional or heightened risks.Employment / Personnel1 | 4.5%
Employment / Personnel - Risk 1
Due to the specialized and technical nature of our business, the failure to attract, develop and retain highly qualified personnel could adversely impact us.Supply Chain2 | 9.1%
Supply Chain - Risk 1
We depend on relationships with third parties for sales and marketing performance, technology, development, logistics and commercialization of products. Failure to maintain these relationships, poor performance by these companies or disputes with these third parties could negatively impact our business.Supply Chain - Risk 2
We may not be able to obtain materials or supplies necessary to conduct clinical trials or to manufacture and sell our products, or we may face manufacturing difficulties, delays or interruptions, including at our third-party manufacturers and corporate partners, which could limit our ability to generate revenues.We need access to certain materials and supplies to conduct our clinical trials and to manufacture and sell our products. If we are unable to purchase enough of these materials and supplies or find suitable alternatives in a timely manner, our development efforts for our product candidates may be delayed or our ability to manufacture and sell our products could be limited.
Suppliers of key components and materials must be named in the new drug/biologics application or marketing authorization application filed with the regulatory authority for any product candidate for which we are seeking marketing approval, and significant delays can occur if the qualification of a new supplier is required. Our products, which are manufactured and tested at our own facilities or by third-party contract manufacturing organizations ("CMOs"), third-party contract testing laboratories ("CTLs") and corporate partners, are the result of complex, highly regulated manufacturing processes. We depend on CMOs, CTLs and corporate partners to perform manufacturing and testing activities effectively and on a timely basis for the majority of our active pharmaceutical ingredients and drug products. These third parties are independent entities subject to their own unique operational and financial risks that are out of our control. Some of our products and the materials that we utilize in our operations are manufactured and/or tested by only one supplier or at only one facility, which we may not be able to replace in a timely manner and on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. We and our CMOs, CTLs and corporate partners are subject to current Good Manufacturing Practices ("cGMP"), which are extensive regulations governing manufacturing processes, release and stability testing, recordkeeping and quality standards as defined by FDA and European Medicines Agency ("EMA"), as well as comparable regulations in other jurisdictions. Manufacturing operations are also subject to routine inspections by regulatory agencies. Even after a supplier is qualified by the regulatory authority, the supplier must continue to expend time, money and effort in the area of production and quality control to maintain full compliance with cGMP. If, as a result of these inspections, a regulatory authority determines that the equipment, facilities, laboratories or processes do not comply with applicable regulations and conditions of product approval, the regulatory authority may suspend the manufacturing operations. There can be no assurance that we or our CMOs, CTLs or other corporate partners will be able to remedy any deficiencies cited by FDA or other regulatory agencies in their inspections. Further, there is risk that regulatory agencies in other countries where marketing applications are pending will undertake similar additional reviews or apply a heightened standard of review, which could delay the regulatory approvals for products in those countries.
A significant portion of the raw materials and intermediates in the manufacturing of our products and product candidates are supplied by third-party suppliers, manufacturers and corporate partners outside of the U.S. As a result, any geopolitical or economic factors in a specific country or region, including any new, or changes in or interpretations of existing law, trade regulations, or compliance requirements (such as the recently enacted BIOSECURE Act) or tax that would limit or prevent third parties outside of the U.S. from supplying these materials could adversely affect our ability to manufacture and supply our products to meet market needs and have a material and adverse effect on our operating results. Such factors may also negatively impact our ability to supply our clinical trials and commercial product, which may result in the delay of our clinical trials and regulatory submissions, and could lead to regulatory delays, increased costs, and/or lost revenue.
Any adverse developments affecting or resulting from any single entity within our manufacturing operations or the operations of our CMOs, CTLs and corporate partners can result in shipment delays, inventory shortages, lot failures, product withdrawals or recalls or other interruptions in the development and commercial supply of our products, which may result in us not being able to generate sufficient quantities of clinical or commercial product to meet market demand and may cause delays in our clinical trials and applications for regulatory approval. We have incurred, and will continue to incur, inventory write-off charges and other expenses for products that fail to meet specifications and quality standards as well as changes we may adopt in our manufacturing strategy, and we may need to undertake costly remediation efforts or seek more costly manufacturing alternatives. Such developments could increase our manufacturing costs, cause us to lose revenues or market share and damage our reputation. Our business may be adversely affected if approval of any of our product candidates were delayed or if production of our products were interrupted.
Ability to Sell
Total Risks: 4/22 (18%)Above Sector Average
Competition1 | 4.5%
Competition - Risk 1
We face significant competition from global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, specialized pharmaceutical firms and generic drug manufacturers.Demand1 | 4.5%
Demand - Risk 1
We face challenges in accurately forecasting sales because of the difficulties in predicting demand for our products and fluctuations in purchasing patterns or wholesaler inventories.Sales & Marketing2 | 9.1%
Sales & Marketing - Risk 1
We may experience adverse impacts resulting from the importation of our products from lower price markets or the distribution of illegally diverted or counterfeit versions of our products.Sales & Marketing - Risk 2
Our existing products are subject to pricing and reimbursement pressures from government agencies and other third parties, including required discounts and rebates.Successful commercialization of our products depends, in part, on the availability and amount of third-party payer reimbursement for our products and related treatments and medical services in the markets where we sell our products. As our products mature, pricing pressures from private insurers and government payers often result in a reduction of the net product prices.
Legislative and regulatory actions affecting government prescription drug procurement and reimbursement programs occur relatively frequently. We may be adversely impacted by any such legislative and regulatory actions, though it is difficult to predict the impact, if any, on the use and reimbursement of our products.
In the U.S., the European Union ("EU") and other significant or potentially significant markets for our products and product candidates, government authorities and third-party payers are increasingly attempting to limit or regulate the price of medical products and services. The volume of drug pricing-related legislation and administrative action has dramatically increased in recent years, including:
- U.S. Congress has enacted the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 ("IRA"), which, among other changes, (1) requires the Department of Health and Human Services to "negotiate" Medicare prices for certain drugs (starting with 10 drugs in 2026, adding 15 drugs in 2027 and 2028, and adding 20 drugs in 2029 and subsequent years), which could also affect the Medicaid rebate obligations and the ceiling prices charged to covered entities under Section 340B of the Public Health Service Act ("340B") if such prices are lower than the Medicaid Best Price and reduce the Average Sales Price and associated Medicare reimbursement rate for products reimbursed under Medicare Part B; (2) imposes an inflation-based rebate on Medicare Part B utilization and Part D utilization; and (3) restructures the Medicare Part D benefit to cap out-of-pocket expenses for Part D beneficiaries, increases Part D plans' contributions in the catastrophic coverage phase and increases manufacturers' discount contributions across coverage phases such that manufacturers must pay a 10% discount in the initial coverage phase and a 20% discount in the catastrophic phase on drugs utilized by all Part D beneficiaries, including low income subsidy patients. In January 2026, the Department of Health and Human Services selected Biktarvy for Maximum Fair Price determination under Medicare, effective beginning in 2028, and more of our products may be selected in the future. We continue to evaluate the potential impact of the IRA on our business, but we anticipate that the negotiated Medicare price will be substantially lower than the price we currently charge in Medicare and may also lead to increased rebates to Medicaid agencies and potentially other segments and reduced ceiling prices charged to 340B covered entities. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") has issued a number of guidance documents and regulations governing certain aspects of the IRA, but it remains unclear how certain provisions of the IRA are being implemented due to lack of full transparency. Additional guidance, legislation or rulemaking may be issued that could change the scope or implementation of the IRA. In addition, multiple manufacturers and trade organizations have challenged the Medicare negotiation provisions of the IRA, and additional legal challenges may be filed in the future. While the full impact of the IRA on our business and the pharmaceutical industry remains uncertain at this time, we anticipate that the IRA will increase our payment obligations under the redesigned Part D discount program, limit the prices we can charge for our products, and increase the rebates we must provide government programs for our products, thereby reducing our profitability and negatively impacting our financial results.
- In July 2025, U.S. Congress enacted the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which made several changes to the Medicaid program, such as imposing Medicaid work requirements and stricter eligibility and enrollment standards. Most of these policies will take effect in 2027. In addition, as of the end of 2025, enhanced subsidies for patient premiums are no longer available for Affordable Care Act ("ACA") health insurance exchange plans, which has already contributed, and may continue to contribute, to decreases in patient enrollment in ACA exchange plans. These changes to Medicaid and ACA plans, individually or in combination, have reduced, and may continue to decrease, health insurance coverage for patients taking our medicines, potentially disrupting access to our medicines for some individuals and adversely impacting our financial results.
- The current U.S. Presidential administration has indicated that it plans to pursue additional policies aimed at lowering prescription drug costs. The administration has issued multiple executive orders and statements that illustrate the intent to require pharmaceutical manufacturers to offer U.S. prices based on most-favored-nation ("MFN") lowest prices and that direct specified agency heads to take certain actions if significant progress towards such MFN prices is not achieved. In December 2025, Gilead reached an agreement with the administration to (1) exclude Gilead branded pharmaceutical products and associated pharmaceutical ingredients from tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended ("Section 232"), for three years, provided Gilead further invests in manufacturing in the United States, (2) implement MFN prices in Medicaid for select existing products through the GENErating cost Reductions fOr U.S. Medicaid (GENEROUS) Model and MFN prices in the U.S. market for future launched products, (3) set a new direct-to-patient price for Epclusa and (4) return a portion of increased international revenues to the U.S. if the U.S. government is successful in increasing drug prices abroad. In addition, the administration announced several demonstration projects that would implement MFN pricing for certain Medicare Part B and Part D drugs through manufacturer inflation rebates on utilization by a portion of Medicare enrollees. The administration also recently called on Congress to enact legislation codifying MFN pricing. The specifics of these proposals and policies are evolving, and as a result, there is uncertainty as to how these and other potential legal and regulatory changes may impact our business.
- In April 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce initiated an investigation pursuant to Section 232 to assess whether imports of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients into the United States pose a national security risk. Following this investigation, in April 2026, the U.S. President issued a Proclamation imposing 100% tariffs on patented pharmaceutical products and associated pharmaceutical ingredients, with such tariffs expected to take effect in the second half of 2026. The long-term impact on Gilead remains uncertain at this time because the imposition of tariffs is subject to certain exemptions, as well as potential modifications to timing, scope and duration, and could be affected by broader tariffs and trade actions both within and outside the pharmaceutical industry, including recently announced global Section 301 tariffs. Even if it is determined that Gilead currently qualifies for an exemption, there can be no assurance that these or other tariffs will not apply to us in the future. Any such tariffs and related trade actions could increase our manufacturing costs, disrupt our supply chain and adversely affect our business competitiveness.
- Actions by the current U.S. Presidential administration to reorganize federal health agencies or reduce or pause funding for domestic and international HIV treatment and prevention programs and grants may adversely impact our business. Some of these initiatives may be subject to litigation or other challenge, increasing the uncertainty of their effects on our business.
- Many state legislatures are considering, or have already enacted, legislation that seeks to indirectly or directly regulate pharmaceutical drug pricing, such as requiring manufacturers to publicly report proprietary pricing information, creating drug affordability review boards, establishing drug payment limits, and encouraging the use of generic drugs. A finding that one of our products is unaffordable could lead to legislative action to designate an upper limit on the amount certain purchasers and payors can pay for our products. These initiatives and such other legislation may cause added pricing pressures on our products, and the resulting impact on our business is uncertain at this time.
- Many countries outside the U.S., including the EU member states, have established complex and lengthy procedures to obtain price approvals and coverage reimbursement and periodically review their pricing and reimbursement decisions. The outcome of these reviews is unpredictable and may adversely affect the pricing and reimbursement of our medical products in the EU. Price reductions in one EU member state could affect pricing in other member states, or in the U.S. pursuant to MFN pricing initiatives, and negatively impact our financial results.
A substantial portion of our product sales is subject to significant discounts from list price, including rebates that we may be required to pay state Medicaid agencies and discounts provided to covered entities under 340B. Changes to the 340B program or the Medicaid program at the federal or state level could have a material adverse effect on our business. For example, changes to the calculation of rebates under the Medicaid program could substantially increase our Medicaid rebate obligations and decrease the prices we charge 340B-covered entities. In addition, the continued growth of the 340B program has had the unintended consequence of an increasingly out of scope percentage of sales at deeply discounted 340B prices due, in part, to pervasive violations of the program's diversion and duplicate discount prohibitions. Detecting and remedying these program integrity violations is challenging.
In March 2022, we implemented a contract pharmacy integrity initiative for our branded hepatitis C virus ("HCV") products. This integrity initiative does not involve any products from Asegua Therapeutics LLC. Our integrity initiative requires covered entities that enter into 340B bill to/ship to arrangements with contract pharmacies for our branded HCV products to provide claims level data for units dispensed from such contract pharmacies; covered entities without an in-house pharmacy that choose not to participate in the initiative can designate a single contract pharmacy for shipment. Certain manufacturers that have implemented other contract pharmacy integrity programs have received enforcement letters from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS") asserting that those programs violate the 340B statute, have been referred to the HHS Office of Inspector General for assessment of civil monetary penalties, and have been subject to administrative dispute resolution proceedings brought on behalf of covered entities. Some of these manufacturers are challenging HHS's position in litigation. The U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the District of Columbia Circuit have held that HHS's enforcement actions are unlawful, and a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit is pending. A growing number of states have also enacted laws requiring manufacturers to provide 340B pricing through contract pharmacy arrangements, and additional states may adopt similar laws; we believe these laws, which are being challenged in ongoing litigation, are invalid, but we have carved out covered entities in certain states from our integrity initiative while litigation challenging these laws proceeds. We also believe that our integrity initiative complies with the requirements of the 340B statute. However, additional legal or legislative developments with respect to the 340B program, including potential litigation with HHS or other stakeholders, may negatively impact our ability to implement or continue our integrity initiative. Recent judicial decisions have increased the risk that alleged violations of 340B pricing requirements may be pursued through qui tam actions under the False Claims Act, which could result in litigation costs and, if a violation were found, substantial damages, penalties and reputational harm.
In addition, standard reimbursement structures do not always adequately reimburse for innovative therapies. For example, CMS established a severity-adjusted diagnosis-related group ("DRG") 018 for Medicare inpatient reimbursement of CAR T-cell products such as Yescarta and Tecartus. While the DRG has a significantly higher base payment amount than the prior DRG 016, the payment available may not be sufficient to reimburse some hospitals for their cost of care for patients receiving Yescarta and Tecartus. When reimbursement is not aligned well to account for treatment costs, Medicare beneficiaries may be denied access as this misalignment could impact the willingness of some hospitals to offer the therapy and of doctors to recommend the therapy. Additionally, in the EU, there are barriers to reimbursement in individual countries that could limit the uptake of Yescarta and Tecartus.
Moreover, we estimate the rebates we will be required to pay in connection with sales during a particular quarter based on claims data from prior quarters. In the U.S., actual rebate claims are typically made by payers one to three quarters in arrears. Actual claims and payments may vary significantly from our estimates.
Finance & Corporate
Total Risks: 3/22 (14%)Below Sector Average
Share Price & Shareholder Rights1 | 4.5%
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1
Our aspirations, goals and disclosures related to corporate responsibility matters expose us to numerous risks, including risks to our reputation and stock price.Corporate Activity and Growth2 | 9.1%
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 1
Our U.S. manufacturing and R&D investments may not achieve their intended benefits and could adversely affect our business, results of operations and cash flows.Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 2
We are subject to risks associated with engaging in business acquisitions, licensing arrangements, collaborations, options, equity investments, asset divestitures and other strategic transactions.We have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, such transactions as part of our business strategy. We may not identify suitable transactions in the future and, if we do, we may not complete such transactions in a timely manner, on a cost-effective basis, or at all, including the possibility that a governmental entity or regulatory body may delay or refuse to grant approval for the consummation of the transaction. Acquisitions can result in substantial charges for closing costs associated with the elimination of duplicate operations and facilities and acquired in-process research and development charges. Furthermore, if we are successful in making an acquisition or closing a licensing arrangement or collaboration, the products, intellectual property and technologies that are acquired or licensed may not be successful or may require significantly greater resources and investments than anticipated. As required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, we conduct annual impairment testing of our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets in the fourth quarter or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the assets are impaired. We have in the past and may in the future need to recognize impairment charges related to the products, intellectual property and technologies that are acquired or licensed as a result of such testing. For option structured deals, there is no assurance that we will elect to exercise our option right, and it is possible that disagreements, uncertainties or other circumstances may arise, including with respect to whether our option rights have been appropriately triggered, which may hinder our ability to realize the expected benefits. For equity investments in our strategic partners, such as in connection with our collaborations with Arcus Biosciences, Inc. and Lakefront Biotherapeutics NV (formerly Galapagos NV), the value of our equity investments may fluctuate and decline in value. If we are not successful in the execution or implementation of these transactions, our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations may be adversely affected, and our stock price could decline.
We have paid substantial amounts of cash and incurred additional debt to finance our strategic transactions. Additional indebtedness and a lower cash balance could result in a downgrade of our credit ratings, limit our ability to borrow additional funds or refinance existing debt on favorable terms, increase our vulnerability to adverse economic or industry conditions, and reduce our financial flexibility to continue with our capital investments, stock repurchases and dividend payments. We may be adversely impacted by any failure to overcome these additional risks.
Macro & Political
Total Risks: 3/22 (14%)Above Sector Average
International Operations1 | 4.5%
International Operations - Risk 1
We face risks associated with our global operations.Natural and Human Disruptions2 | 9.1%
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 1
Our business has been, and may in the future be, adversely affected by outbreaks of epidemic, pandemic or contagious diseases.Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 2
Climate change and related natural disasters, as well as legal, regulatory, or market measures to address climate change, can negatively affect our business and operations.Many of our operations and facilities, including those essential to our manufacturing, R&D and commercialization/distribution activities, are located in regions subject to natural or man-made disasters, such as climate change, earthquakes, hurricanes, rising sea levels and flooding, fires, extreme heat, drought or other extreme weather conditions, or efforts taken by third parties to prevent or mitigate such disasters, such as public safety power shutoffs and facility shutdowns. The severity and frequency of weather-related events has been amplified, and is expected to continue to be amplified, by climate change. Such natural disasters have caused, and in the future may cause, damage to and/or disrupt our operations, which may result in a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. Additionally, our corporate headquarters in Foster City and certain R&D and manufacturing facilities are located in California, a region that is seismically active and prone to wildfires. Our business continuity plans and contingencies, including periodic assessments of our natural disaster risk as part of our overall enterprise risk management program, may be insufficient, and a major earthquake or other natural disaster can result in significant recovery time and a prolonged interruption to our operational and business activities. We may be required to incur significant costs to remedy the effects of such natural disasters and to resume or restore our operations, which could adversely impact us.
In addition, laws and regulations relating to climate change continue to evolve and may impose new or modified requirements on our operations. These requirements, which can differ across jurisdictions, subject us to many transition risks, including, for example, new or expanded carbon pricing or taxes, increased compliance costs, restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions, investment in new technologies, increased sustainability disclosures and transparency, investments in data gathering and reporting systems, upgrades of facilities to meet new building codes and the redesign of utility systems, which could increase the company's operating costs, including the cost of electricity and energy. For example, many nations, particularly in the EU, have communicated plans to decarbonize their healthcare systems and achieve net zero emissions by 2050, which may require us to incur material costs in order to do so. Failure to sufficiently decarbonize or comply with climate-related requirements may impede our ability to operate in certain geographies and negatively affect our business. Regulatory efforts, both internationally and in the U.S., are evolving, including the international alignment of such efforts, and we cannot determine what final regulations will be enacted, modified or reversed or what their ultimate impact on our business will be. Our suppliers and third-party manufacturers and corporate partners similarly face these risks that could have an adverse effect on our business, and any disruption to their operations could have an adverse effect on our manufacturing and supply chain.
See a full breakdown of risk according to category and subcategory. The list starts with the category with the most risk. Click on subcategories to read relevant extracts from the most recent report.
FAQ
What are “Risk Factors”?
Risk factors are any situations or occurrences that could make investing in a company risky.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that publicly traded companies disclose their most significant risk factors. This is so that potential investors can consider any risks before they make an investment.
They also offer companies protection, as a company can use risk factors as liability protection. This could happen if a company underperforms and investors take legal action as a result.
It is worth noting that smaller companies, that is those with a public float of under $75 million on the last business day, do not have to include risk factors in their 10-K and 10-Q forms, although some may choose to do so.
How do companies disclose their risk factors?
Publicly traded companies initially disclose their risk factors to the SEC through their S-1 filings as part of the IPO process.
Additionally, companies must provide a complete list of risk factors in their Annual Reports (Form 10-K) or (Form 20-F) for “foreign private issuers”.
Quarterly Reports also include a section on risk factors (Form 10-Q) where companies are only required to update any changes since the previous report.
According to the SEC, risk factors should be reported concisely, logically and in “plain English” so investors can understand them.
How can I use TipRanks risk factors in my stock research?
Use the Risk Factors tab to get data about the risk factors of any company in which you are considering investing.
You can easily see the most significant risks a company is facing. Additionally, you can find out which risk factors a company has added, removed or adjusted since its previous disclosure. You can also see how a company’s risk factors compare to others in its sector.
Without reading company reports or participating in conference calls, you would most likely not have access to this sort of information, which is usually not included in press releases or other public announcements.
A simplified analysis of risk factors is unique to TipRanks.
What are all the risk factor categories?
TipRanks has identified 6 major categories of risk factors and a number of subcategories for each. You can see how these categories are broken down in the list below.
1. Financial & Corporate
- Accounting & Financial Operations - risks related to accounting loss, value of intangible assets, financial statements, value of intangible assets, financial reporting, estimates, guidance, company profitability, dividends, fluctuating results.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights – risks related to things that impact share prices and the rights of shareholders, including analyst ratings, major shareholder activity, trade volatility, liquidity of shares, anti-takeover provisions, international listing, dual listing.
- Debt & Financing – risks related to debt, funding, financing and interest rates, financial investments.
- Corporate Activity and Growth – risks related to restructuring, M&As, joint ventures, execution of corporate strategy, strategic alliances.
2. Legal & Regulatory
- Litigation and Legal Liabilities – risks related to litigation/ lawsuits against the company.
- Regulation – risks related to compliance, GDPR, and new legislation.
- Environmental / Social – risks related to environmental regulation and to data privacy.
- Taxation & Government Incentives – risks related to taxation and changes in government incentives.
3. Production
- Costs – risks related to costs of production including commodity prices, future contracts, inventory.
- Supply Chain – risks related to the company’s suppliers.
- Manufacturing – risks related to the company’s manufacturing process including product quality and product recalls.
- Human Capital – risks related to recruitment, training and retention of key employees, employee relationships & unions labor disputes, pension, and post retirement benefits, medical, health and welfare benefits, employee misconduct, employee litigation.
4. Technology & Innovation
- Innovation / R&D – risks related to innovation and new product development.
- Technology – risks related to the company’s reliance on technology.
- Cyber Security – risks related to securing the company’s digital assets and from cyber attacks.
- Trade Secrets & Patents – risks related to the company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and to infringement claims against the company as well as piracy and unlicensed copying.
5. Ability to Sell
- Demand – risks related to the demand of the company’s goods and services including seasonality, reliance on key customers.
- Competition – risks related to the company’s competition including substitutes.
- Sales & Marketing – risks related to sales, marketing, and distribution channels, pricing, and market penetration.
- Brand & Reputation – risks related to the company’s brand and reputation.
6. Macro & Political
- Economy & Political Environment – risks related to changes in economic and political conditions.
- Natural and Human Disruptions – risks related to catastrophes, floods, storms, terror, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic/COVID-19.
- International Operations – risks related to the global nature of the company.
- Capital Markets – risks related to exchange rates and trade, cryptocurrency.