Qiagen holds profit targets as Q1 2026 results expose QuantiFERON drag

Qiagen ( (QGEN) ) has provided an announcement.

Qiagen reported on May 6, 2026, that first-quarter 2026 net sales rose 2% year-on-year to $492 million on a reported basis, but declined 1% at constant exchange rates, as strong gains in sample technologies, QIAcuity digital PCR and Qiagen Digital Insights were offset by softer QuantiFERON demand and cautious U.S. life sciences spending. Diluted EPS fell to $0.33 from $0.41, while adjusted diluted EPS held at $0.54 in line with guidance and supported a 27.4% adjusted operating margin despite tariffs, currency headwinds and ongoing investments, prompting management to reaffirm a lowered full-year 2026 outlook for 1-2% constant-currency sales growth and at least $2.43 in adjusted EPS as the company targets faster growth in the second half.

Qiagen’s growth pillars delivered a combined 4% constant-currency increase, with sample technologies up 9% on a CER basis, or 3% excluding the late-2025 Parse acquisition, and QIAcuity and QDI both posting solid gains, while QIAstat-Dx revenue slipped slightly amid tough comparables but saw rising consumables demand from new gastrointestinal and meningitis panels in the U.S. QuantiFERON sales declined 5% at constant exchange rates due mainly to a sharp drop in immigration testing in the U.S. and Middle East, leading Qiagen to project flat QuantiFERON revenue for 2026 versus $503 million in 2025, and underscoring management’s emphasis on disciplined cost control, efficiency gains and targeted capital allocation to preserve profitability and shareholder value in a more uncertain macro and demand environment.

The most recent analyst rating on (QGEN) stock is a Hold with a $38.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Qiagen stock, see the QGEN Stock Forecast page.

Spark’s Take on QGEN Stock

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, QGEN is a Neutral.

The score is supported primarily by improved 2025 profitability and solid operating/free cash flow with manageable leverage, plus constructive 2026 guidance. These positives are tempered by very weak technicals (price far below key moving averages and bearish MACD) and some fundamental consistency risks (historical earnings/FCF volatility and near-term headwinds impacting early 2026).

To see Spark’s full report on QGEN stock, click here.

More about Qiagen

Qiagen N.V., based in Venlo, the Netherlands, is a life sciences and molecular diagnostics company whose portfolio spans sample preparation technologies, digital PCR platforms such as QIAcuity, syndromic testing systems like QIAstat-Dx, the QuantiFERON latent tuberculosis testing franchise, and bioinformatics tools under Qiagen Digital Insights, serving clinical, pharmaceutical and research customers worldwide.

Average Trading Volume: 1,973,844

Technical Sentiment Signal: Sell

Current Market Cap: $6.91B

For detailed information about QGEN stock, go to TipRanks’ Stock Analysis page.