Illumina, Inc. vs Southwest Airlines Co — how do they compare? Illumina, Inc. trades at $189.49 (market cap $27.94B), while Southwest Airlines Co trades at $48.82 (market cap $23.63B). The key difference: Illumina, Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and Southwest Airlines Co pays a 1.49% dividend while Illumina, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ILMN | LUV | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $27.94B | $23.63B |
Sector | Health | Industrials |
52-Week High | $194.33 | $54.80 |
52-Week Low | $91.00 | $29.06 |
Enterprise Value | $29.33B | $26.70B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.49% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Illumina (ILMN) trades at $185.36, down 0.69% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The stock shows strong profitability with a 19.42% net income margin and has beaten EPS estimates for three consecutive quarters. Recent news highlights expansion of the Billion Cell Atlas program and upcoming Q2 2026 earnings on July 30.
Outlook remains positive with 51% analyst buy ratings, though the current price exceeds the $178 consensus target. Key risks include competitive pressure from Roche's new sequencer and China market weakness. Earnings growth and cost control initiatives support upside potential, but valuation multiples suggest limited near-term appreciation.
Southwest Airlines (LUV) trades at $48.28, up 0.42% today, with a neutral technical signal and mixed earnings history. Recent Q1 2026 EPS missed expectations, but Q4 2025 and Q3 2025 beat. Financials show modest revenue growth to $28.06B in 2025, but net income margin is thin at 2.83%. Analyst consensus is mixed with 42% buy, 47% hold, and 11% sell ratings, and a $52.47 price target implies potential upside. Key news highlights Q2 2026 earnings due July 23, 2026, amid fuel cost volatility and travel demand resilience.
LUV presents a cautious opportunity with upside to the consensus target, supported by operational improvements and sector tailwinds, but risks from fuel price swings, execution challenges, and thin margins warrant careful monitoring. The stock's valuation at a P/E of 32.05 appears elevated relative to earnings growth, requiring strong future performance to justify current levels.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Illumina provides tools and services to analyze genetic material with life science and clinical lab applications. The company generates over 90% of its revenue from sequencing instruments, consumables, and services. Illumina's high-throughput technology enables whole genome sequencing in humans and other large organisms. Its lower throughput tools enable applications that require smaller data outputs, such as viral and cancer tumor screening. Illumina also sells microarrays (less than 10% of sales) that enable lower-cost, focused genetic screening with primarily consumer and agricultural applications.
Read more on ILMN →Southwest Airlines is the largest domestic carrier in the United States, as measured by the number of originating passengers boarded. Southwest operates over 700 aircraft in an all-Boeing 737 fleet. Despite expanding into longer routes and business travel, the airline still specializes in short-haul leisure flights, using a point-to-point network. Southwest operates a low-cost carrier business model.
Read more on LUV →