Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Here's Why You Should Hold on to Illumina (ILMN) Stock for Now

Read MoreHide Full Article

Illumina, Inc. (ILMN - Free Report) has been gaining from sequential segmental growth and increased demand for its products. The company’s focus on partnerships and worldwide expansion to drive growth are expected to contribute further. However, stiff competition and a tough funding environment remain concerns.

Over the past year, the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock has lost 4.9% against the industry’s growth of 1.5% and the S&P 500’s 14.5% rise.

The renowned life sciences company, which has a market capitalization of $44.07 billion, provides tools and integrated systems for analysis of genetic variation and function. The company projects 7% growth for the next five years and expects to maintain its segmental performance. The company surpassed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed the same in one, the average surprise being 13.92%.

Let’s delve deeper.

Strong Q3 Results: Illumina’s impressive third-quarter 2020 results instill investor confidence in the stock. The gradually improving business conditions buoy optimism on the stock. Sequential improvement in segmental revenues across geographies looks impressive as well. Additionally, the release of NovaSeq 6000 v1.5 reagents to enhance deeper genomic discoveries augur well for the stock.

Worldwide Expansion to Drive Growth: We are upbeat about improvement in Illumina’s EMEA revenues in the third quarter of 2020 to due to strength in sequencing consumables resulting from a strong rebound in both clinical and research customers. Sequential growth in revenues was also registered in the Americas in the quarter, driven by both research and clinical customers as laboratories are gradually reopening and an increase in clinical activity is being observed. Further, revenues from China grew sequentially due to strength in instrument placements.

Strategic Partnerships: Illumina’s expansion strategy also buoys optimism. It announced its entry into a definitive agreement with healthcare company GRAIL in September, under which Illumina will acquire the latter for cash and stock consideration of $8 billion upon closing of the transaction.

Illumina’s buyout of cloud-based software company BlueBee (in June) is aimed at enhancing the former’s capabilities to analyze and interpret the data produced by its sequencing systems. Other notable partnerships inked by Illumina are with IDbyDNA (in March) and Roche.

Downsides

Stiff Competition: Illumina faces tough competition from several biggies already enjoying significant market share, intellectual property portfolios and favorable regulatory developments. Such companies include Agilent Technologies and Pacific Biosciences of California. To gain a competitive edge, Illumina must upgrade its organization and infrastructure appropriately and develop products with superior throughput, cost and accuracy.

Tough Funding Environment: Illumina’s exposure to the U.S. government funding was less than 30% in 2015. Budgetary pressures may result in reduced allocations to government agencies that fund research and development activities. Any shift from the funding of life sciences research and development, or delays surrounding the approval of government budget proposals, may cause Illumina's customers to delay or forego purchases of its products.

Estimate Trend

Illumina has been witnessing a negative estimate revision trend for 2020. Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its earnings has moved south by 1.6% to $4.32.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter 2020 revenues is pegged at $869.8 million, suggesting a decline of 8.7% from the year-ago reported number.

Key Picks

Some other better-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are ResMed Inc. (RMD - Free Report) , Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO - Free Report) and Align Technology, Inc. (ALGN - Free Report) .

ResMed’s long-term earnings growth rate is estimated at 14.5%. The company presently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Thermo Fisher’s long-term earnings growth rate is estimated at 18%. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.

Align Technology’s long-term earnings growth rate is estimated at 18.3%. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.

Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation

Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.

A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.

See 8 breakthrough stocks now>>

Published in