Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Posted by Defense World Staff on Jul 21st, 2026

Amova Asset Management Americas Inc. trimmed its position in Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN – Free Report) by 18.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 721,532 shares of the life sciences company’s stock after selling 165,333 shares during the period. Illumina comprises 1.3% of Amova Asset Management Americas Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 25th biggest holding. Amova Asset Management Americas Inc. owned about 0.48% of Illumina worth $88,864,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Elyxium Wealth LLC bought a new position in Illumina in the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC grew its position in shares of Illumina by 160.0% during the 4th quarter. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC now owns 195 shares of the life sciences company’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 120 shares during the period. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Illumina during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Illumina in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Finally, Activest Wealth Management increased its stake in shares of Illumina by 671.9% in the 4th quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 247 shares of the life sciences company’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 215 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.42% of the company’s stock.

Illumina Stock Down 1.1% NASDAQ ILMN opened at $184.68 on Tuesday. Illumina, Inc. has a 12 month low of $88.00 and a 12 month high of $196.66. The company has a current ratio of 1.75, a quick ratio of 1.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56. The stock has a market cap of $27.94 billion, a PE ratio of 33.58, a P/E/G ratio of 3.49 and a beta of 1.47. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $167.28 and its 200 day moving average is $143.77.

Illumina (NASDAQ:ILMN – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The life sciences company reported $1.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.05 by $0.10. Illumina had a net margin of 19.42% and a return on equity of 31.01%. The business had revenue of $1.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.07 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.97 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. Illumina has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.150-5.300 EPS. Research analysts predict that Illumina, Inc. will post 5.22 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Illumina In other Illumina news, CAO Scott D. Ericksen sold 500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, May 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.00, for a total value of $80,000.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 14,446 shares in the company, valued at $2,311,360. The trade was a 3.35% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, SVP Patricia Leckman sold 783 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $162.59, for a total transaction of $127,307.97. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 21,259 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,456,500.81. This trade represents a 3.55% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 1,003,769 shares of company stock valued at $155,710,908. 2.90% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages recently commented on ILMN. Wall Street Zen cut Illumina from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday. Citigroup upped their price target on Illumina from $80.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Barclays raised their price objective on Illumina from $122.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 24th. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on Illumina from $170.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 1st. Finally, TD Cowen reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Illumina in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Illumina has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $156.88.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Illumina

Illumina Company Profile (Free Report)

Illumina, Inc (NASDAQ: ILMN) is a global life sciences company that develops, manufactures and markets integrated systems for the analysis of genetic variation and function. Headquartered in San Diego, California and founded in 1998, Illumina offers a range of sequencing and array-based technologies used by academic researchers, clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, consumer genomics firms and agricultural researchers to enable discovery, translational research and clinical applications.

The company’s product portfolio includes next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms and associated consumables, microarrays for genotyping and methylation analysis, library preparation kits and targeted assays.

Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Illumina The Ugliest Stocks in the Market Just Got a Very Expensive Vote of Confidence Is Domino’s Stock Serving Up a Buying Opportunity? A $1T Black Hole: SpaceX Eyes Pentagon AI to Break Free Why Gold Miners Could Be the Market’s Biggest Comeback Story Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ILMN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN – Free Report).

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Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.

The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.

It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.

Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.

VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.

It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.

As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.

Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: Illumina (ILMN - Free Report) San Diego, CA.-based Illumina Inc. provides sequencing and array-based solutions for genetic and genomic analysis. The products are used for applications in the life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture and other emerging segments. Its customers include leading genomic research centers, academic institutions, government laboratories, hospitals as well as pharmaceutical, biotechnology, commercial molecular diagnostic and consumer genomics companies.

ILMN is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. ILMN has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 7.2% for the current fiscal year.

Two analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.02 to $5.19 per share. ILMN also boasts an average earnings surprise of +12.2%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, ILMN should be on investors' short list.

Momentum investing is all about the idea of following a stock's recent trend, which can be in either direction. In the "long context," investors will essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." And for investors following this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving in that direction. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.

While many investors like to look for momentum in stocks, this can be very tough to define. There is a lot of debate surrounding which metrics are the best to focus on and which are poor quality indicators of future performance. The Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.

Below, we take a look at Illumina (ILMN - Free Report) , which currently has a Momentum Style Score of B. We also discuss some of the main drivers of the Momentum Style Score, like price change and earnings estimate revisions.

It's also important to note that Style Scores work as a complement to the Zacks Rank, our stock rating system that has an impressive track record of outperformance. Illumina currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy). Our research shows that stocks rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy) and Style Scores of "A or B" outperform the market over the following one-month period.

You can see the current list of Zacks #1 Rank Stocks here >>>

Set to Beat the Market?Let's discuss some of the components of the Momentum Style Score for ILMN that show why this genetic testing tools company shows promise as a solid momentum pick.

A good momentum benchmark for a stock is to look at its short-term price activity, as this can reflect both current interest and if buyers or sellers currently have the upper hand. It's also helpful to compare a security to its industry; this can show investors the best companies in a particular area.

For ILMN, shares are up 6.87% over the past week while the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry is up 2.25% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 15.6% compares favorably with the industry's 10% performance as well.

While any stock can see a spike in price, it takes a real winner to consistently outperform the market. Over the past quarter, shares of Illumina have risen 42%, and are up 92.74% in the last year. In comparison, the S&P 500 has only moved 10.61% and 21.48%, respectively.

Investors should also take note of ILMN's average 20-day trading volume. Volume is a useful item in many ways, and the 20-day average establishes a good price-to-volume baseline; a rising stock with above average volume is generally a bullish sign, whereas a declining stock on above average volume is typically bearish. Right now ILMN is averaging 1,920,957 shares for the last 20 days..

Earnings OutlookThe Zacks Momentum Style Score encompasses many things, including estimate revisions and a stock's price movement. Investors should note that earnings estimates are also significant to the Zacks Rank, and a nice path here can be promising. We have recently been noticing this with ILMN.

Over the past two months, 2 earnings estimates moved higher compared to none lower for the full year. These revisions helped boost ILMN's consensus estimate, increasing from $5.17 to $5.19 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 2 estimates have moved upwards while there have been no downward revisions in the same time period.

Bottom LineTaking into account all of these elements, it should come as no surprise that ILMN is a #2 (Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of B. If you've been searching for a fresh pick that's set to rise in the near-term, make sure to keep Illumina on your short list.

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SummaryIllumina commands 90%+ market share in genomics sequencing, powering a $30B+ TAM growing at double digits with a robust razor-and-blades model.Post-GRAIL, management’s renewed focus on core sequencing, cost control, and capital return is driving revenue recovery, margin expansion, and free cash flow.NovaSeq X placements and consumables pull-through are key near-term catalysts; 65%+ of consumables revenue is clinical, supporting high margins and recurring cash flows.ILMN trades at a reasonable P/E versus peers, offering a rare blend of secular growth and defensive healthcare positioning, with credible execution and risk controls in place.Summary Illumina (ILMN) is at the center of a genomics revolution that is stealthily going mainstream. Machines like the NovaSeq X are helping revenue recover and margins expand, and the management team has smartly refocused the post-GRAIL calculated reset on what

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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of ILMN either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

New leaders bring extensive leadership experience across life sciences, diagnostics, and medical technology

, /PRNewswire/ -- Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN) today announced the appointment of Mike Sullivan as Chief Commercial Officer, effective July 20, 2026, and Julie Coletti as Chief Legal Officer, effective August 3, 2026.

The appointments add experienced leaders to Illumina's Executive Leadership Team as the company continues advancing its strategy, serving customers, driving growth, and delivering on its mission to improve human health around the world.

"We are excited to welcome Mike and Julie to Illumina," said Jacob Thaysen, chief executive officer of Illumina. "Mike brings deep commercial expertise, a customer-first mindset, and significant experience scaling global organizations, while Julie is a highly accomplished legal and business leader with deep experience across the life sciences and medical technology sectors. I look forward to working closely with both of them as we continue helping customers unlock new insights across genomics, multiomics, and human health."

Sullivan will be responsible for leading Illumina's global commercial organization. He brings more than 30 years of commercial leadership experience across diagnostics, precision medicine, healthcare, and life sciences, with a proven track record of driving growth, expanding customer adoption, and leading high-performing global teams.

Most recently, Sullivan served as Chief Commercial Officer at Caris Life Sciences, where he led the company's global commercial operations across oncology diagnostics and precision medicine. Prior to Caris, he held senior commercial leadership roles at Roche Diagnostics, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, IDEXX Laboratories, and Abbott Diagnostics.

As Chief Legal Officer, Coletti will lead Illumina's global legal, regulatory, and government affairs teams and serve as corporate secretary to the Illumina Board of Directors. Coletti joins with extensive legal, regulatory, and governance expertise across the life sciences and medical technology sectors.

Previously, Coletti served as Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer at Align Technology. Prior to that, she held senior legal leadership positions at Danaher Corporation and Bayer HealthCare, advising executive leaders and boards of directors on a broad range of complex issues, including compliance matters, intellectual property, competition, governance, and public policy. She also serves as a director for Fortis Life Sciences, a provider of solutions to life science and diagnostic companies.

About Illumina

Illumina is improving human health by unlocking the power of the genome. Our focus on innovation has established us as a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, serving customers in the research, clinical, and applied markets. Our products are used for applications in the life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture, and other emerging segments. To learn more, visit illumina.com and connect with us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Contacts

Investors:
Illumina Investor Relations
858-291-6421
[email protected] 

Media:
Christine Douglass
[email protected]

SOURCE Illumina, Inc.

Shares of Illumina (ILMN - Free Report) have been strong performers lately, with the stock up 19.8% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $196.66 in the previous session. Illumina has gained 46.2% since the start of the year compared to the 2.8% gain for the Zacks Medical sector and the 7.4% return for the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry.

What's Driving the Outperformance?The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our earnings consensus estimate in any of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on April 30, 2026, Illumina reported EPS of $1.15 versus consensus estimate of $1.05.

For the current fiscal year, Illumina is expected to post earnings of $5.19 per share on $4.56 in revenues. This represents a 7.23% change in EPS on a 5.09% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $5.86 per share on $4.85 in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 12.91% and 6.2%, respectively.

Valuation MetricsWhile Illumina has moved to its 52-week high over the past few weeks, investors need to be asking, what is next for the company? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company has run ahead of itself.

On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as these give investors a variety of ways to comb through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). The individual style scores for Value, Growth, Momentum and the combined VGM Score run from A through F. Investors should consider the style scores a valuable tool that can help you to pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.

Illumina has a Value Score of C. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and D, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 36.9X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 21.7X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 28.6X versus its peer group's average of 15.1X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 3.6. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.

Zacks RankWe also need to consider the stock's Zacks Rank, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Illumina currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to a solid earnings estimate revision trend.

Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Illumina meets the list of requirements. Thus, it seems as though Illumina shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.

How Does ILMN Stack Up to the Competition?Shares of ILMN have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals International, plc (KNSA - Free Report) . KNSA has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) and a Value Score of D, a Growth Score of A, and a Momentum Score of A.

Earnings were strong last quarter. Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals International, plc beat our consensus estimate by 50.00%, and for the current fiscal year, KNSA is expected to post earnings of $1.25 per share on revenue of $938.98 million.

Shares of Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals International, plc have gained 38.2% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 53.69X and a P/CF of 84.77X.

The Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry is in the top 45% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for ILMN and KNSA, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.

Investors interested in stocks from the Medical - Biomedical and Genetics sector have probably already heard of Astrazeneca (AZN - Free Report) and Illumina (ILMN - Free Report) . But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now? We'll need to take a closer look.

We have found that the best way to discover great value opportunities is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with a great grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The Zacks Rank favors stocks with strong earnings estimate revision trends, and our Style Scores highlight companies with specific traits.

Astrazeneca and Illumina are sporting Zacks Ranks of #2 (Buy) and #3 (Hold), respectively, right now. This system places an emphasis on companies that have seen positive earnings estimate revisions, so investors should feel comfortable knowing that AZN is likely seeing its earnings outlook improve to a greater extent. But this is just one piece of the puzzle for value investors.

Value investors analyze a variety of traditional, tried-and-true metrics to help find companies that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.

The Value category of the Style Scores system identifies undervalued companies by looking at a number of key metrics. These include the long-favored P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a variety of other fundamentals that help us determine a company's fair value.

AZN currently has a forward P/E ratio of 18.43, while ILMN has a forward P/E of 33.85. We also note that AZN has a PEG ratio of 1.50. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. ILMN currently has a PEG ratio of 3.30.

Another notable valuation metric for AZN is its P/B ratio of 6.21. The P/B ratio is used to compare a stock's market value with its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, ILMN has a P/B of 9.94.

These are just a few of the metrics contributing to AZN's Value grade of B and ILMN's Value grade of C.

AZN is currently sporting an improving earnings outlook, which makes it stick out in our Zacks Rank model. And, based on the above valuation metrics, we feel that AZN is likely the superior value option right now.

A 3D printed DNA Helix model and word "DNA" are seen in this illustration taken February 4, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

CompaniesLONDON/ZURICH, June 29 (Reuters) - Swiss pharma and diagnostics giant Roche on Monday launched its ​long-awaited Axelios gene sequencer, in a bid to challenge ‌U.S. firm Illumina's (ILMN.O), opens new tab leadership in next-generation sequencing.

Roche's launch is limited to academic and research-focused facilities and comes more than a decade after the ​group's failed $6.8 billion hostile bid to acquire Illumina.

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The Axelios ​platform is designed to rapidly read and analyse ⁠DNA at scale, supporting applications from disease research ​to drug development.

Analysts say Roche's entry is likely to ​be a gradual push for market share rather than a rapid disruption of the sector, which is valued at about $7.3 billion. Illumina ​remains the clear leader, with estimates putting its ​share of NGS systems at around 70%.

Roche said it aims to ‌place ⁠about 100 machines in the first year, a target that will lay the foundation for a future "blockbuster" franchise generating over 1 billion Swiss francs ($1.1 billion) in annual sales over the ​long term.

The company has ​partnered with ⁠10x Genomics (TXG.O), opens new tab and Google (GOOGL.O), opens new tab DeepVariant for data analysis, backed by early platform validation from ​Broad Clinical Labs and the Hartwig Medical ​Foundation ⁠to ease adoption.

Roche said it has already begun commercial shipments and booked pre-orders. The launch is focused on U.S., ⁠UK, ​Germany, France, among others and Roche ​expects to quickly expand into other geographies.

Reporting by Bhanvi Satija in ​London and Marleen Kaesebier in Zurich, Editing by Louise Heavens

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Bhanvi is a London-based reporter covering European pharmaceutical companies and the healthcare industry. She previously covered U.S. health and pharma firms, with a focus on the new weight loss drugs that are transforming the obesity treatment space. Her coverage includes a trend piece on the underuse of their weight-loss drugs among men, increased interest in therapies being developed for preservation of lean mass, and a scoop on gene therapy maker Sarepta defying an FDA order to stop shipping its muscular dystrophy treatment.

Marleen is a company correspondent based in Zurich where she covers the likes of Swiss pharma and insurance. Previously, she wrote about Swiss and German markets as a news reporter and graduated from the Columbia Journalism School.

For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.

Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.

It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreFor value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.

Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.

VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.

Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +24% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.

Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: Illumina (ILMN - Free Report) San Diego, CA.-based Illumina Inc. provides sequencing and array-based solutions for genetic and genomic analysis. The products are used for applications in the life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture and other emerging segments. Its customers include leading genomic research centers, academic institutions, government laboratories, hospitals as well as pharmaceutical, biotechnology, commercial molecular diagnostic and consumer genomics companies.

ILMN is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

Momentum investors should take note of this Medical stock. ILMN has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 16% over the past four weeks.

For fiscal 2026, five analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.07 to $5.19 per share. ILMN boasts an average earnings surprise of +12.2%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, ILMN should be on investors' short list.

Key Takeaways ILMN Q1 EPS of $1.15 beat estimates by 9.7% and rose 18.6% year over year. Illumina revenues hit $1.09B, up 4.8%, with both segments posting growth.ILMN raised 2026 guidance, projecting up to $4.62B revenues and up to $5.30 EPS. Illumina Inc. (ILMN - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.15, which topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 9.7%. The figure was up 18.6% on a year-over-year basis.  

Including one-time items, the company’s GAAP EPS was 87 cents compared with 82 cents a year ago. 

Illumina’s RevenuesFirst-quarter revenues amounted to $1.09 billion, up 4.8% year over year and up 3.5% on a constant-currency basis. The top line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.1%.

Following the earnings announcement, Illumina shares edged up 5.3% yesterday. 

Illumina’s Segmental DetailsIllumina generates revenues from two segments – Product, and Services and other. 

Product revenues totaled $917 million, up 4.2% year over year. Meanwhile, Services and other revenues amounted to $174 million, up 8.1% year over year. 

ILMN’s MarginsThe adjusted gross margin (including amortization of acquired intangible assets) was 66.1%, up 48 basis points (bps) year over year despite a 3.3% rise in the cost of revenues.

Research and development expenses decreased 4.8% year over year to $240 million. SG&A expenses totaled $272 million, up 1.9% from the year-ago level. Adjusted operating margin expanded 340 bps to 19.2%.

Illumina’s Financial UpdateIllumina exited the first quarter of 2026 with cash and cash equivalents of $1.09 billion compared with $1.42 billion at the end of the fourth quarter of 2025.

Cumulative net cash provided by operating activities totaled $289 million compared with $240 million a year ago.

Illumina’s 2026 GuidanceThe company expects total revenues to be in the range of $4.52-$4.62 billion (up from $4.50-$4.60 billion), suggesting growth of 4-6% on a reported basis. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 revenues is currently pinned at $4.53 billion.

Non-GAAP diluted EPS is projected to be in the range of $5.15-$5.30 (up from $5.05-$5.20) in 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for full-year EPS is currently pegged at $5.12.

Illumina, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS SurpriseOur Take on ILMNIllumina exited the first quarter of 2026 with better-than-expected results, wherein both earnings and revenues beat estimates. The company delivered a strong 2025 performance, marking a return to growth through disciplined execution. 

All the business segments reported growth in the quarter. Given the strong first-quarter performance, Illumina raised its full-year 2026 guidance. 

The expansion of both the margin looks encouraging. 

ILMN’s Zacks Rank & Key PicksIllumina currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are Globus Medical (GMED - Free Report) , Intuitive Surgical (ISRG - Free Report) and Phibro Animal Health (PAHC - Free Report) .

Globus Medical, currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), reported a fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted EPS of $1.28, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 20.8%. Revenues of $826.4 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.9%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

GMED has an earnings yield of 4.7% compared to the industry’s negative yield of 1.4%. The company’s earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed on one occasion, the average surprise being 18.79%.

Intuitive Surgical, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present, posted a first-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $2.50, which exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 20.2%. Revenues of $2.77 billion topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.2%.

ISRG has an earnings yield of 2.1% in contrast to the industry’s negative yield of 0.9%. The company’s earnings outpaced estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 16.82%.

Phibro Animal Health, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present, posted a second-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS of 87 cents, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 27.01%. Revenues of $373.9 million outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.72%.

PAHC has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 21.5% compared with the industry’s 12.1% growth. The company’s earnings outpaced estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 20.15%.

For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.

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What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.

Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.

VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.

Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.93% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.

As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.

Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: Illumina (ILMN - Free Report) San Diego, CA.-based Illumina Inc. provides sequencing and array-based solutions for genetic and genomic analysis. The products are used for applications in the life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture and other emerging segments. Its customers include leading genomic research centers, academic institutions, government laboratories, hospitals as well as pharmaceutical, biotechnology, commercial molecular diagnostic and consumer genomics companies.

ILMN is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

Momentum investors should take note of this Medical stock. ILMN has a Momentum Style Score of B, and shares are up 10% over the past four weeks.

Five analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.02 to $5.18 per share. ILMN also boasts an average earnings surprise of +12.2%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, ILMN should be on investors' short list.

Key Takeaways ILMN is advancing its core sequencing strategy with growing clinical demand and NovaSeq X adoption.ILMN clinical consumables demand up 20% ex-China, supported by broader NGS adoption.ILMN faces China weakness and macro pressures despite margin and guidance improvements. Illumina Inc. (ILMN - Free Report) is making strong progress against its long-term strategy and targets, anchored by its roadmap of growing the core sequencing business, expanding multiomics, and building services, data and software capabilities. Continued momentum in clinical end markets supports sequencing consumables growth. The expanding NovaSeq X installed base and utilization are also highly promising. Yet, headwinds from China’s operations and macroeconomic pressures raise concerns for the company.

Over the past year, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has surged 68.3%, well ahead of the industry’s16.3% growth and the S&P 500 composite’s rise of 29.5%.

The renowned biotechnology company has a market capitalization of $21.41 billion. ILMN’s earnings yield of 3.7% is well ahead of the industry’s -16.8% yield. In the trailing four quarters, it surpassed estimates on all occasions, delivering an average surprise of 12.2%. 

Let’s delve deeper.

Tailwinds Behind ILMN StockClinical Demand Remains the Key Driver: Illumina continues to benefit from the broader adoption of NGS-based testing, with clinical markets now representing the majority of sequencing consumables revenues in first-quarter 2026. Management cited continued adoption of sequencing-based diagnostics and growing use of sequencing-intensive tests, including comprehensive genomic profiling and whole genome sequencing, as drivers of higher sequencing intensity. Clinical sequencing consumables demand grew 20%, excluding China, for the second consecutive quarter. Management continues to expect most clinical volumes to transition to NovaSeq X by the end of 2026.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Sharpened Focus on Core Genomics: Following the spin-off of GRAIL in June 2024, Illumina has continued to center its strategy on the core sequencing franchise while scaling into adjacent multiomics and data offerings. The company is aiming for high-single-digit revenue growth by 2027, along with double-digits to teens annual earnings per share (EPS) growth.

First-quarter 2026 results reinforced that direction, with revenues, margins and non-GAAP EPS exceeding guidance. Growth was recorded across all regions, excluding China. Management also raised full-year 2026 guidance, now expecting revenues in the range of $4.52-$4.62 billion and non-GAAP diluted EPS in the range of $5.15-$5.30, alongside a modest step-up in the non-GAAP operating margin outlook between 23.4% and 23.6%.

NovaSeq X Placements and Transition Progress: Illumina’s core sequencing business remains anchored by NovaSeq X. First-quarter 2026 placements exceeded 80 units, around 20 more than the prior-year quarter and above the company’s targeted quarterly range. Demand remains strong for the platform, especially with clinical. Transition progress also continued, with approximately 82% of volumes and 55% of revenues transitioned to NovaSeq X in the first quarter, and roughly 90% of research and applied volume now on the platform. This positioning reduces prior transition-related friction and should allow a cleaner revenue response when research activity normalizes.

What Ails ILMN?Setbacks in the China Market: Illumina continues to face constrained demand in Greater China amid ongoing regulatory and geopolitical uncertainty, keeping the region out of step with the rest of the business. In first-quarter 2026, Greater China revenues were $52 million, down 27.8% year over year. Management highlighted growth across all regions, excluding China and continues to frame core trends on a rest-of-world basis. This dynamic reduces the company’s ability to benefit from installed-base expansion and instrument placements in a large end market that historically supported both system demand and consumables pull-through.

Macroeconomic Pressures Remain a Concern: Illumina continues to operate in a higher-cost environment shaped by tariffs and supply-chain inflation, which can affect both demand and margins. Despite the first-quarter 2026 non-GAAP gross margin being up 80 bps year over year, management noted tariffs were still a partial offset to underlying cost efficiencies and revenue leverage. The second-quarter guidance calls for an operating margin of around 22%, partly reflecting near-term inflationary impacts tied to freight and higher electronic component costs.

ILMN Stock Estimate TrendThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for ILMN’s 2026 EPS has increased 1.2% to $5.18 in the past 30 days.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2026 revenues is pegged at $4.56 billion. This suggests a 5.1% rise from the year-ago reported number.

Key PicksSome better-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are Globus Medical (GMED - Free Report) , Align Technology (ALGN - Free Report) and Phibro Animal Health (PAHC - Free Report) .

Globus Medical has an earnings yield of 6.1% compared to the industry’s negative 1.1% yield. Its earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 26.3%. GMED shares have rallied 29.7% against the industry’s 10.3% fall over the past year.

GMED sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Align Technology, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 10.3% for fiscal 2026 compared with the industry’s 9.5% growth. Shares of the company have dropped 15% compared to the industry’s 1.8% growth. ALGN’s earnings outpaced estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed on one occasion, the average surprise being 7.8%.

Phibro Animal Health, carrying a Zacks Rank #2, has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 21.5% compared with the industry’s 12.1%. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 16.3%. PAHC shares have rallied 45.8% against the industry’s 29.5% decline over the past year.

For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.

Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.

It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.

What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:

Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.

Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.

Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.

VGM ScoreWhat if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.

How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.

Investors can count on the Zacks Rank's success, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.7% average annual return since 1988, more than double the S&P 500's performance. But the model rates a large number of stocks, and there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.

This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.

That's where the Style Scores come in.

To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.

The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.

For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.

Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.

Stock to Watch: Illumina (ILMN - Free Report) San Diego, CA.-based Illumina Inc. provides sequencing and array-based solutions for genetic and genomic analysis. The products are used for applications in the life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture and other emerging segments. Its customers include leading genomic research centers, academic institutions, government laboratories, hospitals as well as pharmaceutical, biotechnology, commercial molecular diagnostic and consumer genomics companies.

ILMN is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.

Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. ILMN has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 7% for the current fiscal year.

Six analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.04 to $5.18 per share. ILMN also boasts an average earnings surprise of +12.2%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, ILMN should be on investors' short list.

An advanced research workflow for fast, flexible detection of molecular residual disease during and following treatment

Solution is the first in a new WGS oncology portfolio, building on Illumina's history of leadership as foundation for MRD market

, /PRNewswire/ -- Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN) today announced a new complete solution for molecular residual disease (MRD) research based on whole-genome sequencing (WGS). As a distributed kit, it will enable more labs to adopt MRD detection for clinical research. Now in early access for select clinical research partners, the MRD solution is the first whole-genome kit with flexibility to enable solid tumor MRD and blood cancer genomic profiling. It is the first in a new portfolio of WGS oncology research offerings, with additional solutions in development leveraging the latest advancements of the NovaSeq X™.

As a distributed WGS solution for MRD research, this technology will enable tumor fingerprinting and ctDNA tracking faster and for more patients. "In precision healthcare, early and accurate detection of molecular residual disease is critical to monitoring patients during and after cancer treatment," said Todd Christian, senior vice president of Services, Arrays and Genomic Access at Illumina. "Illumina's MRD solution for clinical research leverages the advanced sensitivity of whole-genome sequencing, coupled with unparalleled analysis, to enable our customers to more easily deliver the most precise information to advance MRD research. We aim to make WGS in oncology more accessible and scalable to support the integration of precision solutions into the standard of care."

The MRD solution supports "fingerprinting" through solid tumor samples, and MRD detection using blood samples, all compatible on NovaSeq Systems. The end-to-end research workflow can be completed in as fast as 5 days and is optimized for analytical sensitivity as low as 10 ppm, particularly important for early-stage and low-shedding tumors, including breast, ovarian, and renal.

Illumina's first-of-its-kind DRAGEN™ MRD analysis connects each fingerprint to serial circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), offering customers flexible workflow combinations to meet their specific needs. Leveraging DRAGEN's unparalleled speed and accuracy, the new MRD solution has been optimized across thousands of samples to develop and demonstrate a ctDNA detection algorithm with 99.5% analytical specificity to distinguish true tumor signals from background noise.

Early adopters see strong performance with Illumina's WGS oncology solution

Several academic institutes evaluated the workflow. Mayo Clinic evaluated the solutioni on a small sample cohort and found high concordance among previously characterized paired samples. The results were also highly correlated with clinical and imaging results over time. The team is planning to expand the cohort for additional research with Mayo Clinic and other academic partners.

"We are looking forward to participating in early access and evidence generation for a tumor-informed, non-bespoke whole-genome sequencing approach to MRD," said Gang Zheng, MD, PhD and professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic. "We have seen early pilot results across several solid tumor clinical samples that demonstrated the potential utility of highly sensitive solid tumor MRD detection, and we continue to pilot technologies that help us efficiently progress in our ability to analyze and translate complex genomic arrays." 

Illumina and Bristol Myers Squibb will jointly present a poster at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting on Sunday, May 31, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (abstract ID 8591, poster board #381, Lung Cancer: Non–Small Cell Metastatic track). More information can be found at this link. 

Roadmap to achieve ultra-sensitivity tailored for broader adoption

Built on recently announced NovaSeq X advancements, including 35B output and Q70 quality scores, a complementary research workflow that will deliver ultra-sensitive MRD detection in the single-digit ppm range leveraging duplex reads is currently in development.

"Illumina continues to push the NovaSeq X's capabilities to help our customers break barriers and unlock more discoveries," said Steve Barnard, PhD, chief technology officer of Illumina. "The new portfolio will bring advanced MRD research directly into labs with unmatched speed and sensitivity. The NovaSeq X is built for the long term, and Illumina will continue to deliver technologies that empower our customers to accelerate oncology breakthroughs."

Illumina technology also fuels centralized MRD providers leading the market today. The NovaSeq X offers foundational capabilities to support the quality, reliability, and scale needed as MRD adoption continues to grow. Illumina's new oncology portfolio builds upon the unique, integrated insight ecosystem of workflows, data and community across genomic, multiomic, and clinical research applications—anchored on the NovaSeq X.

Illumina's MRD research solution is available today for early access to select partners and will launch for global customers next year. Learn more here.  

Use of forward-looking statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Among the important factors to which our business is subject that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements are: (i) iiour ability to successfully implement NovaSeq X updates on a cost-effective and timely basis, (ii) challenges inherent in developing and launching new products and services, including modifying and scaling manufacturing operations, and reliance on third-party suppliers for critical components; (iii) our ability to manufacture robust instrumentation and consumables and develop reliable software solutions; and (iv) the acceptance and adoption by customers of our newly launched or updated products, which may or may not meet our expectations and theirs, together with other factors detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent filings on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, or in information disclosed in public conference calls, the date and time of which are released beforehand. We undertake no obligation and do not intend to update these forward-looking statements, to review or confirm analysts' expectations, or to provide interim reports or updates on the progress of the current quarter.

About Illumina
Illumina is improving human health by unlocking the power of the genome. Our focus on innovation has established us as a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, serving customers in the research, clinical, and applied markets. Our products are used for applications in the life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture, and other emerging segments. To learn more, visit illumina.com and connect with us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Contacts
Investors:
Illumina Investor Relations
858-291-6421
[email protected]

Media:
Christine Douglass
[email protected]

___________________

i As an early user, Mayo Clinic independently executed and evaluated the assay in their lab.

ii As of the Q4 financial disclosures, the NovaSeq X active install base was 890 at the end of FY2025.

SOURCE Illumina, Inc.

Key Takeaways ILMN gained 98.7% in a year, outperforming its industry and the broader S&P 500 Composite.ILMN exceeded Q1 2026 guidance as NovaSeq X placements topped 80 units and adoption advanced.ILMN saw 20% clinical sequencing consumables growth, excluding China, for the second quarter. Illumina (ILMN - Free Report) has been on a strong run over the past year, with its shares soaring 98.7%. The performance far exceeds the industry’s 15.9% gain and the S&P 500 Composite’s 31.3% rise.  

ILMN carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) at present. Following the spin-off of GRAIL in June 2024, the company has centered its strategy on the core sequencing franchise while scaling into adjacent multiomics and data offerings. Broader adoption of NGS-based testing remains a tailwind for Illumina, particularly in the clinical end markets. Its liquidity position remains adequate to navigate near-term business volatility.

San Diego, CA.-based Illumina provides sequencing and array-based solutions for genetic and genomic analysis. The products are used for applications in the life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture and other emerging segments. Its customers include leading genomic research centers, academic institutions, government laboratories, hospitals, as well as pharmaceutical, biotechnology, commercial molecular diagnostic and consumer genomics companies. Outside the United States, Illumina has sales offices throughout Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and Brazil, as well as manufacturing and research facilities in Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Factors Fueling ILMN’s Price RallyThe rally in the company’s share price can be linked to its strong progress in executing its post-GRAIL spin-off strategic roadmap. Illumina remains focused on returning to durable growth and higher profitability, aiming for high-single-digit revenue growth by 2027, along with double-digits to teens annual earnings per share (EPS) growth, anchored by its roadmap of boosting the core sequencing business, expanding multiomics, and building services, data and software capabilities. First-quarter 2026 results reinforced that direction, with revenues, margins and adjusted EPS exceeding guidance. Growth was recorded across all regions, excluding China.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The core sequencing business remains anchored by NovaSeq X. First-quarter 2026 placements exceeded 80 units, around 20 more than the prior-year quarter and above the company’s targeted quarterly range. Transition progress also continued, with approximately 82% of volumes and 55% of revenues transitioned to NovaSeq X in the quarter, and roughly 90% of research and applied volume now on the platform. 

Illumina continues to benefit from the broader adoption of NGS-based testing, with clinical markets now representing the majority of sequencing consumables revenues.  Management cited continued adoption of sequencing-based diagnostics and growing use of sequencing-intensive tests, including comprehensive genomic profiling and whole genome sequencing, as drivers of higher sequencing intensity. Clinical sequencing consumables demand grew 20%, excluding China, for the second consecutive quarter, and management continues to expect most clinical volumes to transition to NovaSeq X by the end of 2026. Illumina’s oncology menu continues to expand as customers scale sequencing in clinical decision-making and in new trials that require larger information sets. 

At the quarter-end, Illumina reported cash and cash equivalents of $1.09 billion, while current debt remained stable at $499 million. The company maintains adequate liquidity and coverage to fund operations and navigate near-term volatility without balance sheet strain.

What Ails ILMN?Illumina continues to operate in a higher-cost environment shaped by tariffs and supply-chain inflation, which can affect both demand and margins. The company also faces constrained demand in Greater China amid ongoing regulatory and geopolitical uncertainty, keeping the region out of step with the rest of the business.

A Glance at ILMN’s EstimatesThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for ILMN’s 2026 and 2027 EPS calls for growth of 7.1% and 13.6%, respectively. Over the past 60 days, the consensus mark for the company's 2026 EPS has edged up 0.8%. 

Revenues are projected to increase 5.1% in 2026 from the 2025 levels, followed by another 5.9% gain in 2027. 

Key PicksSome better-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are Globus Medical (GMED - Free Report) , Align Technology (ALGN - Free Report) and Integra LifeSciences (IART - Free Report) .

Globus Medical has an earnings yield of 6.1% compared to the industry’s negative 1.1% yield. Its earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 26.3%. GMED shares have rallied 31.1% against the industry’s 4.2% fall over the past year.

GMED sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Align Technology, sporting a Zacks Rank #1, has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 10.3% for fiscal 2026 compared with the industry’s 9.5% growth. Shares of the company have dropped 7% compared to the industry’s 3% rise. ALGN’s earnings outpaced estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed on one occasion, the average surprise being 7.8%.

Integra LifeSciences, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), has an earnings yield of 15.7% against the industry’s negative 15.7% yield. Its earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 16.7%. IART shares have rallied 20.1% against the industry’s 4.1% decline over the past year.

StrataMap Spatial gives researchers access to spatial biology at true single cell resolution for discovery without boundaries

Whole-transcriptome profiling across a large tissue capture area can generate 2x more unique genes per sample than probe-based technologies

, /PRNewswire/ -- Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN) today announced the launch of the StrataMap Spatial Solution, offering an unmatched breadth of coverage and resolution to redefine what researchers can detect with spatial transcriptomics. StrataMap Spatial, previously called the Illumina Spatial Solution, is an end-to-end sequencing-based research solution to uncover spatial insights. Spatial transcriptomics is already a critical tool in developmental biology, neuroscience, and oncology research. StrataMap Spatial expands researchers' ability to map tissue structure, reveal tissue function, track tumor progression, and identify novel drug targets for precision medicine.

StrataMap Spatial gives customers a spatial solution with a large, flexible capture area, single-cell resolution, and unbiased whole-transcriptome profiling. "Spatial biology offers a new perspective on how our genetic code manifests in our bodies," said Steve Barnard, PhD, chief technology officer of Illumina. "Our customers are already using StrataMap Spatial's unparalleled discovery power to map intricate tissues and study tumor development. This launch pairs our new spatial solution with our tailored bioinformatics pipeline, reinforcing Illumina's commitment to an insight ecosystem where data-at-scale becomes discovery without boundaries."

Highest sensitivity spatial technology provides comprehensive transcriptomic insights

StrataMap Spatial gives customers a spatial solution with a large, flexible capture area, single-cell resolution, and unbiased whole-transcriptome profiling. Together, these features allow customers to holistically evaluate spatial relationships across cells, regions, and structures, for a more detailed view of tissue architecture and function. StrataMap Spatial's sequencing-based approach detects twice as many genes per sample than alternative, panel-based technologies. The solution goes beyond the coding transcriptome to detect noncoding genes and pseudogenes, uncovering the hidden signals that drive tissue function and disease. StrataMap Spatial is compatible with enrichment techniques, including those researchers use to identify relevant immune response markers like VDJ clonotypes.

StrataMap Spatial meets the growing demand for scalable spatial biology studies from research and biopharma customers, through features such as:

Capture area: The 7.5 cm2 capture area accommodates serial sections for researchers to create a multidimensional understanding of tissues. Users can also profile multiple fresh frozen tissue sections of varying sizes and shapes simultaneously. The solution is species-agnostic and accommodates a broad range of eukaryotic tissue samples and tissue RNA quality. Illumina is actively developing an FFPE-specific solution and targets initial customer enablement in 2027. Scale: StrataMap Spatial can process more than 2000 samples per year. Speed: Multiple slides can be run in parallel, with library preparation and sequencing following traditional NGS methods. Sequencing takes as few as 22 hours. Including imaging, sequencing, and analysis, customers can move from sample to insight in less than 5 days. Accessibility: Instead of investing in expensive, specialized systems, customers can integrate StrataMap Spatial into their existing histopathology workflows. StrataMap Spatial then runs on the NovaSeq and NextSeq platforms, giving existing customers an accessible entry point into spatial biology. Spatial-specific software provides powerful, scalable multiomic analysis

StrataMap Spatial includes access to end-to-end bioinformatics that take customers from initial imaging through analysis. DRAGEN and Illumina Connected Multiomics efficiently process the large volume of resulting spatial data, maintaining the depth, resolution, and sensitivity produced by StrataMap Spatial. The DRAGEN StrataMap pipeline simplifies spatial exploration with machine-learning-driven cell segmentation, transcript assignment, and initial clustering. Illumina Connected Multiomics enables interactive, data‑driven spatial analysis by combining tissue‑level visualization with filtering, clustering refinement, and downstream biological interpretation. The platform enables the integration of transcriptomic data with genomic, epigenetic, and proteomic datasets. Layering these omics creates a more comprehensive understanding of the biological dynamics that shape human health.

Early work with StrataMap Spatial examines tumor microenvironments, charts development of complex tissues

In a pilot, researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) used StrataMap Spatial to map historically challenging lymphatic tissues and produced the first whole transcriptome spatial datasets for human lymphatic collector vessels. Dr. Ioannis Vlachos, PhD, director of the Spatial Technologies Unit within BIDMC, and his team reconstructed 3D models of tissue organization at cellular resolution from serial sections imaged on StrataMap Spatial.

"Illumina's StrataMap Spatial exhibited high sensitivity, which enabled us to shed light on these exceptionally challenging samples, said Dr. Vlachos, "StrataMap's large capture area permitted us to place multiple serial sections to establish whole transcriptome, single cell resolution, 3D maps of these exceptionally precious tissues and unlock novel biology."

Researchers at Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and University of Cambridge trialed StrataMap Spatial on an initial set of primary central nervous system tumors. The team was led by Richard Mair, PhD, a neurosurgeon at Addenbrooke's Hospital and a University of Cambridge scientist, in collaboration with the Spatial Profiling Annotation Centre of Excellence (SPACE) led by Dario Bressan, PhD. The team evaluated glioma and glioblastoma tissues to characterize their complex tumor microenvironment, with the ultimate goal of guiding more precise surgical interventions and personalized treatment choices.

"Until now, we were unable to study large tissue sections in CNS and other cancer types at a whole-transcriptome, single-cell level," said Ania Piskorz, PhD, the Head of Genomics at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and University of Cambridge. "Unlocking the ability to profile these large tissue sections will provide deeper insights into the tumour microenvironment. It will help us build more informative tumour maps, identify mechanisms of treatment resistance, and improve our ability to predict patient therapeutic responses."

Ania Piskorz is presenting the group's early work on June 10 at the European Association for Cancer Research meeting. You can also visit Illumina's booth at EACR from June 8-11 to learn how StrataMap Spatial can amplify your cancer research.

StrataMap Spatial is available to order this month.

You can read more about StrataMap Spatial here.

Use of forward-looking statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Among the important factors to which our business is subject that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements are: (i) challenges inherent in developing and launching new products and services, including modifying and scaling manufacturing operations, and reliance on third-party suppliers for critical components; (ii) our ability to manufacture robust instrumentation and consumables and develop reliable software solutions; and (iii) the acceptance and adoption by customers of our newly launched or updated products, which may or may not meet our and their expectations, together with other factors detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent filings on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, or in information disclosed in public conference calls, the date and time of which are released beforehand. We undertake no obligation, and do not intend, to update these forward-looking statements, to review or confirm analysts' expectations, or to provide interim reports or updates on the progress of the current quarter.

About Illumina
Illumina is improving human health by unlocking the power of the genome. Our focus on innovation has established us as a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, serving customers in the research, clinical, and applied markets. Our products are used for applications in the life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture, and other emerging segments. To learn more, visit illumina.com and connect with us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Contacts

Investors:
Illumina Investor Relations
858-291-6421
[email protected]

Media:
Christine Douglass
[email protected]

SOURCE Illumina, Inc.

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