Crispr Therapeutics shares tumble after significant earnings miss
Investing.com - Citi downgraded Illumina (NASDAQ:ILMN) from Neutral to Sell on Wednesday, while also lowering its price target to $80.00 from $85.00. The gene sequencing company, currently valued at approximately $15.7 billion, has seen its stock trade at $98.87, significantly below its 52-week high of $174.49.
The downgrade comes as Citi expresses concerns about Illumina’s second-half outlook, despite expectations for in-line second-quarter results.
Citi cited challenges in Illumina’s consumables ramp due to a softer academic backdrop and conditions in China, with pricing ramp also under scrutiny.
The firm warned of potential stock risk if Illumina cuts its guidance, which would mark the third earnings per share guidance reduction this year.
Alternatively, Citi noted that maintaining current guidance could also present risk to the stock as second-half performance concerns would remain unaddressed.
In other recent news, Standard BioTools has announced the sale of its SomaLogic business to Illumina for up to $425 million, comprising $350 million in upfront cash and up to $75 million in milestone payments. This transaction is part of Standard BioTools’ strategy to streamline operations and achieve adjusted EBITDA break-even, with expectations of having at least $550 million in cash post-closure. The deal, which includes royalties on SOMAmer-based products, is anticipated to close in the first half of 2026, pending regulatory approvals. Illumina, on the other hand, sees this acquisition as a way to enhance its footprint in the proteomics market, with plans for profitability by 2027. The acquisition builds on a prior partnership between the two companies and includes SomaLogic’s employees and facilities in Colorado. Meanwhile, Bernstein has issued a more optimistic outlook on the Life Science Tools & Diagnostics sector, suggesting a potential recovery after recent stock declines. The firm highlights possible positive regulatory developments and emerging market growth as factors that could improve sector performance. Bernstein, however, remains cautious, indicating that more consistent financial results are needed to reassure investors fully.
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