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A vs ILMN
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Agilent Technologies (A) vs. Illumina (ILMN) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Agilent Technologies (A) offers diversification across life sciences, diagnostics, and chemical analysis, trading near $116 with a market cap of $32.7 billion.
- Illumina (ILMN) dominates genomic sequencing with a $19.5 billion market cap, showing strong one-year gains of about 66% despite YTD flat performance.
- Recent market activity has pressured A shares down roughly 6-10% post-Q1 earnings, while ILMN gained around 6% over the past month ahead of its earnings.
- Analyst targets suggest greater upside for A (around $161) versus ILMN ($137), with A forecasting 55% profit growth.
- Both stocks exhibit elevated betas (volatility measures) above 1.3, reflecting sector sensitivity, but A provides a dividend yield of 0.88%.
- Tickeron’s AI tools highlight strategies suited to biotech momentum and stability in these tickers.
Introduction
Agilent Technologies (A) and Illumina (ILMN) stand as key players in the life sciences and diagnostics sector, providing essential tools for pharmaceutical research, clinical testing, and genomic analysis. This stock comparison is particularly relevant for investors and traders eyeing healthcare innovation amid evolving biotech demands. With both companies navigating market volatility, understanding their relative performance, growth drivers, and risk profiles aids in assessing portfolio positioning for short-term trades or longer-term holdings in this high-growth area.
A Overview and Recent Performance
Agilent Technologies (A) is a global leader in laboratory instruments, software, services, and consumables for life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets. Its diverse portfolio supports drug development, environmental testing, and clinical diagnostics. In recent market activity, shares have traded around $116, down from a 52-week high of $160 amid broader sector pressures. Following Q1 fiscal 2026 earnings (ended January), revenue rose 4.4% on a core basis to $1.8 billion, with EPS (earnings per share) at $1.36 meeting expectations. Sentiment has softened due to post-earnings declines of about 6%, influenced by macroeconomic caution in pharma spending and competitive dynamics, though analysts highlight undervaluation and robust profit growth prospects.
ILMN Overview and Recent Performance
Illumina (ILMN) specializes in sequencing and array-based solutions for genetic analysis, powering advancements in oncology, reproductive health, and population genomics. Its technology enables high-throughput DNA sequencing critical for precision medicine. Shares recently hover near $128, within a 52-week range of $74 to $156, reflecting one-year gains of 66% driven by genomics demand recovery. YTD performance remains roughly flat at 2%, with a 6% monthly uptick ahead of Q1 2026 earnings due April 30. Key influences include partnerships in oncology next-generation sequencing (NGS) and software updates like DRAGEN v4.5, bolstering sentiment despite historical volatility from regulatory hurdles.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Agilent (A) and Illumina (ILMN) both thrive in life sciences but diverge in focus: A’s broader model spans diagnostics (about 40% revenue), life sciences, and chemicals for stable recurring sales, while ILMN concentrates on sequencing instruments and consumables amid genomics growth. Recent momentum favors ILMN’s 66% one-year return versus A’s 10%, though A edges YTD. Risk profiles show ILMN’s higher beta (1.49 vs. 1.30) amplifying volatility from regulatory or reimbursement shifts, contrasting A’s dividend buffer. Sector exposure ties both to pharma/biotech cycles, but A benefits from environmental diversification. Market sentiment leans positive on A’s value (P/E 25.5) and upside potential over ILMN’s growth trade-offs.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors Agilent Technologies (A) over Illumina (ILMN) based on trend stability, analyst-projected 55% profit growth, substantial price target upside to $161, and dividend support amid recent sector dips. While ILMN offers genomics catalysts, its narrower focus introduces higher volatility risks. This positioning suggests a probabilistic edge for A in balanced portfolios, subject to upcoming earnings and market shifts.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full Disclaimers and Limitations.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is A is a Hold and ILMN is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
A’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileILMN’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- A’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- ILMN’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
A’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while ILMN’s TA Score has 2 bullish TA indicator(s).
- A’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
- ILMN’s TA Score: 2 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
A (@Medical Specialties) experienced а -3.14% price change this week, while ILMN (@Medical Specialties) price change was -3.30% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Medical Specialties industry was +0.45%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +2.48%, and the average quarterly price growth was -3.19%.
Reported Earning Dates
A is expected to report earnings on Aug 18, 2026.
ILMN is expected to report earnings on Aug 12, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Medical Specialties (+0.45% weekly)Medical specialties are companies that make equipment used by the health care industry. Equipment manufactured and distributed by these companies include dialysis machines, blood analysis equipment, surgical equipment, dental instruments, and diagnostic tools, among other items. Large companies typically aim to produce and distribute high-quality products across a broad market spectrum. Smaller firms are more likely to specialize in a particular market segment. Due to the industry’s close association with medical treatments, they typically have low sensitivity to macroeconomic fluctuations. Within this industry, Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic Plc and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. are some of the companies with multi-billion market capitalizations in the U.S. stock markets.
| A | ILMN | A / ILMN | |
| Capitalization | 35.8B | 25B | 143% |
| EBITDA | 1.96B | 1.43B | 137% |
| Gain YTD | -6.662 | 23.041 | -29% |
| P/E Ratio | 25.40 | 29.34 | 87% |
| Revenue | 7.23B | 4.39B | 165% |
| Total Cash | 1.81B | 1.16B | 156% |
| Total Debt | 3.36B | 2.54B | 132% |
A | ILMN | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 91 | 85 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 6 Undervalued | 75 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 44 | 30 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 47 | 11 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 62 | 7 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 85 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
A's Valuation (6) in the Biotechnology industry is significantly better than the same rating for ILMN (75). This means that A’s stock grew significantly faster than ILMN’s over the last 12 months.
A's Profit vs Risk Rating (100) in the Biotechnology industry is in the same range as ILMN (100). This means that A’s stock grew similarly to ILMN’s over the last 12 months.
ILMN's SMR Rating (30) in the Biotechnology industry is in the same range as A (44). This means that ILMN’s stock grew similarly to A’s over the last 12 months.
ILMN's Price Growth Rating (11) in the Biotechnology industry is somewhat better than the same rating for A (47). This means that ILMN’s stock grew somewhat faster than A’s over the last 12 months.
ILMN's P/E Growth Rating (7) in the Biotechnology industry is somewhat better than the same rating for A (62). This means that ILMN’s stock grew somewhat faster than A’s over the last 12 months.
| A | ILMN | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 76% | 2 days ago 71% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 56% | 2 days ago 84% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 78% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 59% | 2 days ago 79% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 68% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 73% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 9 days ago 60% | 13 days ago 70% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 62% | 7 days ago 79% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 52% | 2 days ago 82% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 67% | 2 days ago 81% |
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A and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, A has been closely correlated with TMO. These tickers have moved in lockstep 74% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if A jumps, then TMO could also see price increases.
ILMN and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ILMN has been loosely correlated with BRKR. These tickers have moved in lockstep 60% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if ILMN jumps, then BRKR could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To ILMN | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILMN | 100% | -0.34% | ||
| BRKR - ILMN | 60% Loosely correlated | -1.14% | ||
| RVTY - ILMN | 58% Loosely correlated | -0.96% | ||
| AZTA - ILMN | 51% Loosely correlated | -4.46% | ||
| BIO - ILMN | 50% Loosely correlated | -0.47% | ||
| A - ILMN | 50% Loosely correlated | -0.45% | ||
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