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Illumina (ILMN)
NASDAQ:ILMN

Illumina (ILMN) AI Stock Analysis

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ILMN

Illumina

(NASDAQ:ILMN)

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Neutral 59 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:59Neutral
Price Target:
$125.00
▲(1.71% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/07/26
The score reflects improving fundamentals (profitability rebound and strong free cash flow) and constructive 2026 outlook from management, tempered by weak technical momentum, elevated leverage, and notable near-term risks from China weakness, research-market softness, tariffs, and SomaLogic dilution.
Positive Factors
Strong cash generation
Illumina's TTM operating cash flow and near-$1B free cash flow signal durable cash conversion that funds R&D, strategic M&A and buybacks without immediate equity issuance. Reliable FCF provides flexibility to invest in multiomics, repay debt, and sustain operations through cyclical research demand shifts.
Sustained margin expansion and profitability rebound
Material margin expansion and return to positive operating profit reflect structural cost discipline and operating leverage. Management's 2026 margin guidance (~23.3–23.5%) implies margins are resilient, enabling reinvestment in products and multiomics while providing earnings durability even if top-line growth moderates.
Strategic multiomics expansion
Acquiring SomaLogic and integrating proteomics expands Illumina's addressable market into proteomics and multiomics, strengthening product breadth. Coupled with BioInsight and early pharma collaborations, this creates structural diversification toward recurring data/AI and drug-discovery revenue beyond cyclical research consumables.
Negative Factors
Elevated leverage
Debt roughly matching equity raises financial sensitivity: higher fixed obligations reduce flexibility to absorb downcycles or fund large strategic bets. Equity has declined materially since 2022–2023, so adverse growth or margin shocks could force tougher funding choices or constrain share repurchases and M&A pacing.
Greater China export restrictions and weakness
Export controls and China weakness are a structural risk: a one-point company revenue headwind and large instrument declines reduce the installed base growth that drives consumables. Prolonged restrictions could meaningfully undercut global placements and recurring consumables revenue for multiple quarters.
Muted research market and lumpy commercial timing
A sustained downturn in academic/research spend reduces demand for consumables historically central to Illumina's revenue. Combined with lumpy partnerships and instrument timing, this increases revenue volatility and heightens execution risk for targets like NovaSeq X placements and consistent consumables growth.

Illumina (ILMN) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Illumina Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionIllumina, Inc. provides sequencing and array-based solutions for genetic and genomic analysis. Its products and services serve customers in a range of markets enabling the adoption of genomic solutions in research and clinical settings for applications in the life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture, and other emerging segments. The company provides instruments and consumables used in genetic analysis; and genotyping and sequencing services, instrument service contracts, and development and licensing agreements, as well as cancer detection testing services. Its customers include genomic research centers, academic institutions, government laboratories, and hospitals, as well as pharmaceutical, biotechnology, commercial molecular diagnostic laboratories, and consumer genomics companies. The company markets and distributes its products directly to customers in North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region, as well as sells through life-science distributors in various markets within Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is based in San Diego, California.
How the Company Makes MoneyIllumina generates revenue primarily through the sale of its sequencing systems, reagents, and consumables, which are essential for genetic analysis. The company offers a range of NGS platforms, each catering to different market needs, from large-scale genomic research to targeted applications in clinical settings. Key revenue streams include the sale of instruments, consumables (such as reagents and flow cells), and services related to genomic data analysis. Additionally, Illumina benefits from ongoing partnerships with academic institutions, research organizations, and pharmaceutical companies, which often involve collaborative projects and joint ventures that can lead to increased sales of their products. Furthermore, the company has expanded its revenue potential by entering the clinical diagnostics market, providing tools for personalized medicine and expanding its customer base beyond research to include healthcare providers.

Illumina Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Revenue by Geography
Revenue by Geography
Breaks down revenue across different regions, revealing where the company is strongest and where it may face risk or growth potential due to local economic conditions or market share shifts.
Chart InsightsIllumina's revenue from the Americas shows a declining trend in 2025, reflecting macroeconomic challenges and NIH funding uncertainty. Despite this, Europe and APAC, Middle East and Africa regions exhibit resilience with steady growth. The earnings call highlights strong execution, with raised guidance driven by NovaSeq X platform adoption and robust clinical market performance. However, export restrictions to China and a decline in sequencing instruments revenue pose risks. Strategic acquisitions like SomaLogic aim to bolster future growth, indicating a positive long-term outlook despite current challenges.
Data provided by:The Fly

Illumina Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 05, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 28, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call presents a positive operational rebound: Illumina beat Q4 expectations, returned to ex‑China growth for the year, delivered strong clinical consumables acceleration (+20% ex‑China in Q4), expanded margins and EPS, generated healthy cash flow, advanced multiomics (Somalogic) and data/AI initiatives (BioInsight). Key near‑term headwinds are concentrated in Greater China (export restrictions and revenue decline), a muted academic/research market (expected mid‑high single‑digit declines), tariff impacts on gross margins (~205 bps), and short‑term dilution from the Somalogic acquisition (~$0.18 EPS, ~100 bps margin). Overall the positive commercial momentum, profitability and cash generation outweigh these challenges, though execution and geopolitics are notable risks.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Quarterly Revenue Beat and Return to Growth
Q4 revenue of $1.16B came in above expectations (up 5% YoY reported, +4% constant currency). Illumina returned to full-year ex‑China growth of 2% in 2025 and reported ex‑China revenue growth of 7% in Q4.
Rapid Acceleration in Clinical Consumables
Clinical consumables grew 20% ex‑China in Q4 and roughly 16% ex‑China in H2 2025. Management expects continued robust clinical growth in 2026 (double‑digit to mid‑teens) driven by adoption of sequencing‑based diagnostics and higher sequencing intensity (e.g., shift toward whole genome).
Strong Sequencing Throughput and NovaSeq X Adoption
Total sequencing output (GB) on connected high and mid throughput instruments grew >30% YoY. Illumina placed over 100 NovaSeq X systems in Q4 (bringing active installed base to ~890); 55% of revenue had transitioned to NovaSeq X as of Q4. Instruments revenue was $154M (roughly flat YoY, +3% ex‑China).
Margin Expansion and EPS Growth
Non‑GAAP operating margin expanded materially (company cited +180 bps for the year; Q4 non‑GAAP operating margin 23.7%, +400 bps YoY). Non‑GAAP EPS was $1.35 in Q4 (+~42% YoY) and full‑year EPS was $4.84 (+16% YoY). Operating profit grew ~26% YoY in Q4.
Strong Cash Generation and Shareholder Returns
Operating cash flow was $321M in Q4 and $1.1B for the year. Free cash flow was ~$267M in Q4 and ~$931M for the year. The company returned approximately $740M to shareholders via repurchases in 2025 (Q4 repurchases ~$42M; $643M remaining buyback authorization).
Strategic Multiomics and Data Progress (Somalogic & BioInsight)
Closed Somalogic acquisition (upfront $350M) to add high‑throughput proteomics capability and accelerate multiomics. Launched BioInsight and the Billion Cell Atlas with early pharma collaborations (AstraZeneca, Merck, Eli Lilly), expanding addressable markets in drug discovery and data/AI products.
Constructive 2026 Financial Outlook
2026 guidance: revenue $4.5–4.6B (reported growth 4–6%; ex‑China organic growth 2–4%), operating margin 23.3–23.5%, and EPS $5.00–$5.20 (includes ~$0.18 Somalogic dilution; ~10% YoY EPS growth excluding dilution). Instrument placement target of ~50–60 NovaSeq X per quarter (~200–240/year).
Negative Updates
Greater China Weakness and Export Restrictions
Greater China revenue was $55M in Q4, a $25M decline from 2024. Instruments sales in Greater China were down ~55% due to export restrictions. Management expects China to be roughly a one‑point headwind to total company revenue in 2026 and noted uncertainty around instrument imports.
Muted Research Market and Expected Declines
Research and applied consumables were roughly flat in Q4 (improved vs Q3) but remain below historical levels. Management expects mid to high single‑digit declines in research consumables in 2026 driven by academic funding uncertainty despite early NIH clarity.
Tariff and Macro‑Related Margin Headwinds
Non‑GAAP gross margin was 67% in Q4, down ~40 bps YoY with a ~205 bps tariff headwind. Management noted approximately 200 bps of macro‑related headwinds in 2025 that pressured margins before cost actions and operating leverage improvements.
Short‑Term Dilutive Impact from Somalogic Acquisition
Somalogic is expected to be dilutive in 2026 by approximately $0.18 of EPS and to reduce operating margin by ~100 bps in the near term, even as the deal is positioned to expand the multiomics opportunity longer term.
Lumpy Partnerships, China Timing and Instrument Uncertainty
Strategic partnerships and timing of data deals were described as 'lumpy' in 2025. Management noted little or no step‑up expected in China instrument sales in H1 2026 and guided instruments overall to be roughly flat to slightly down in 2026, creating execution/timing risk.
Company Guidance
Illumina guided 2026 organic (ex‑China) revenue growth of 2–4% with total company revenue of $4.5–$4.6 billion (reported growth 4–6% after roughly +1 point from currency), noting Somalogic should contribute ~1.5–2 points of revenue but dilute EPS by ~$0.18; China is modeled as a ~1‑point headwind with China sales of $210–$220 million. Management expects total sequencing consumables to grow low‑ to mid‑single digits with clinical consumables up double‑digit to mid‑teens and research/applied consumables down mid‑ to high‑single digits; instruments are expected to be roughly flat to down low single digits (targeting ~50–60 NovaSeq X placements per quarter, ~200–240/year). Full‑year operating margin is guided to 23.3–23.5% (ex‑Somalogic expansion of ~130 basis points; Somalogic ~100 bps headwind), EPS $5.00–$5.20 (ex‑Somalogic implies ~10% y/y growth at the midpoint), and Q1 2026 rest‑of‑world organic revenue is $1.06–$1.08 billion with Q1 EPS $1.02–$1.07 (including ~$0.04 dilution).

Illumina Financial Statement Overview

Summary
TTM results show a meaningful profitability and margin rebound with strong free cash flow conversion, but the recovery follows large 2023–2024 losses and the balance sheet carries elevated leverage (debt roughly matching equity), increasing sensitivity if growth or margins soften.
Income Statement
62
Positive
TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) results show a clear profitability rebound (positive operating profit and ~$0.85B net income) with strong gross profitability (~66%) and solid operating profitability (~24%). Revenue growth is strong in TTM, but the prior two annual periods (2023–2024) were marked by steep operating losses and negative net margins, highlighting meaningful earnings volatility and execution risk if growth normalizes.
Balance Sheet
55
Neutral
Leverage is elevated, with debt roughly matching equity in TTM (debt-to-equity ~1.08), which reduces flexibility versus earlier years when leverage was notably lower. Equity has also declined materially since 2022–2023, increasing balance-sheet sensitivity. Offsetting this, TTM profitability drives a strong return on equity (~30%), suggesting the balance sheet is currently supporting improved earnings power—but the higher leverage level remains a key risk.
Cash Flow
71
Positive
Cash generation is a relative strength: TTM operating cash flow is solid (~$1.08B) and free cash flow is high (~$0.94B), with free cash flow closely tracking net income (~0.90x), indicating earnings are converting well into cash. However, free cash flow growth is negative in TTM, and cash-flow coverage remains moderate (operating cash flow is well below 2x of the referenced burden), suggesting less cushion if profitability softens.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue4.34B4.37B4.50B4.58B4.53B
Gross Profit2.89B2.86B2.74B2.97B3.15B
EBITDA1.46B-725.00M-608.00M-3.92B1.20B
Net Income850.00M-1.22B-1.16B-4.40B762.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets6.64B6.30B10.11B12.25B15.22B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.63B1.22B1.05B2.04B1.34B
Total Debt2.55B2.62B2.26B3.56B2.54B
Total Liabilities3.92B3.93B4.37B5.65B4.48B
Stockholders Equity2.72B2.37B5.75B6.60B10.74B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow931.00M709.00M282.00M106.00M337.00M
Operating Cash Flow1.08B837.00M478.00M392.00M545.00M
Investing Cash Flow-55.00M-178.00M-231.00M-591.00M-1.07B
Financing Cash Flow-744.00M-570.00M-1.21B1.00B-51.00M

Illumina Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price122.90
Price Trends
50DMA
135.55
Negative
100DMA
124.16
Negative
200DMA
109.15
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-5.69
Positive
RSI
42.56
Neutral
STOCH
80.95
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For ILMN, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 122.9 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 128.12, below the 50-day MA of 135.55, and above the 200-day MA of 109.15, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -5.69 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 42.56 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 80.95 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for ILMN.

Illumina Risk Analysis

Illumina disclosed 29 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Illumina reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Illumina Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (51)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
73
Outperform
$35.19B27.1720.62%0.72%6.73%3.34%
72
Outperform
$10.03B23.2211.57%3.31%5.32%336.29%
67
Neutral
$147.76B41.777.05%0.53%2.90%-4.81%
61
Neutral
$193.72B29.1113.04%0.30%3.91%7.09%
59
Neutral
$18.79B22.4933.36%-2.39%
59
Neutral
$27.98B20.9821.64%3.85%-4.74%
51
Neutral
$7.86B-0.30-43.30%2.27%22.53%-2.21%
* Healthcare Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
ILMN
Illumina
122.90
28.85
30.68%
A
Agilent
124.40
-9.00
-6.74%
DHR
Danaher
209.19
1.06
0.51%
QGEN
Qiagen
48.50
9.49
24.32%
TMO
Thermo Fisher
515.60
-15.81
-2.98%
IQV
IQVIA Holdings
164.88
-26.07
-13.65%

Illumina Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyM&A Transactions
Illumina Completes SomaLogic Acquisition, Expands Proteomics Capabilities
Positive
Jan 30, 2026

On January 30, 2026, Illumina completed its previously announced acquisition of SomaLogic and related aptamer-based and functional proteomics assets from Standard BioTools for $350 million in cash at closing, plus up to $75 million in performance-based milestone payments and royalties funded from cash on hand. The deal folds SomaLogic’s SomaScan proteomics assay, SomaSignal tests and other proteomics technologies into Illumina’s next-generation sequencing ecosystem, including DRAGEN software and Illumina Connected Multiomics, significantly deepening its capabilities in proteomics and multiomics and positioning the company for growth in the expanding proteomics market while committing to continuity of service and support for existing SomaLogic customers and partners.

The most recent analyst rating on (ILMN) stock is a Buy with a $170.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Illumina stock, see the ILMN Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Illumina appoints new chief medical officer amid leadership shifts
Positive
Jan 8, 2026

On January 8, 2026, Illumina announced that veteran genomics leader Eric D. Green, M.D., Ph.D., former director of the U.S. National Human Genome Research Institute, will join the company as Chief Medical Officer effective February 2, 2026, reporting to the CEO and serving on the executive leadership team to help advance the clinical use of genomics, expand access to precision medicine, and increase diversity in genomic data. The company also disclosed that Chief Commercial Officer Everett Cunningham notified Illumina on January 4, 2026, that he will resign effective January 16, 2026, to become CEO of a life science tools company, with CEO Jacob Thaysen assuming the CCO responsibilities on an interim basis, signaling a significant reshaping of Illumina’s top leadership at a pivotal time for its medical and commercial strategy.

The most recent analyst rating on (ILMN) stock is a Hold with a $140.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Illumina stock, see the ILMN Stock Forecast page.

M&A TransactionsPrivate Placements and Financing
Illumina Completes $500M Notes Offering for Expansion
Neutral
Nov 25, 2025

On November 25, 2025, Illumina, Inc. completed a public offering of $500 million in 4.750% notes due 2030. The company plans to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes, including repaying existing debt and potentially completing the acquisition of SomaLogic, Inc., which could impact its market positioning and stakeholder interests.

The most recent analyst rating on (ILMN) stock is a Buy with a $195.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Illumina stock, see the ILMN Stock Forecast page.

M&A TransactionsPrivate Placements and Financing
Illumina Announces $500M Notes Issuance Agreement
Positive
Nov 12, 2025

On November 10, 2025, Illumina, Inc. announced it had entered into an Underwriting Agreement with Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and BofA Securities, Inc. for the issuance and sale of $500 million in notes due 2030. The proceeds from this offering are expected to be used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of existing notes and the acquisition of SomaLogic, Inc. This strategic financial move is likely to impact Illumina’s operations and market positioning by potentially enhancing its financial flexibility and supporting its expansion plans.

The most recent analyst rating on (ILMN) stock is a Buy with a $195.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Illumina stock, see the ILMN Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 07, 2026