Illumina, Inc. vs QUALCOMM, Inc. — how do they compare? Illumina, Inc. trades at $265 (market cap $40.43B), while QUALCOMM, Inc. trades at $178.21 (market cap $189.14B). The key difference: QUALCOMM, Inc. is far larger — about 4.7× Illumina, Inc.'s market cap, and QUALCOMM, Inc. pays a 2.08% dividend while Illumina, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold Illumina, Inc. for 83 Days and QUALCOMM, Inc. for 87 Days on average.
| ILMN | QCOM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $40.43B | $189.14B |
Volume | 2,948,626 | 7,874,672 |
Sector | Health | Technology |
52-Week High | $293.69 | $251.10 |
52-Week Low | $91.00 | $124.07 |
Typical Hold Time | 83 Days | 87 Days |
Enterprise Value | $41.79B | $196.10B |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.08% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Illumina (ILMN) trades at $264.40, down 3.34% on the day but up significantly year-to-date with strong technical momentum. The stock shows bullish moving average signals and trades near pivot point resistance at $268. Fundamentally, the company has delivered three consecutive quarterly earnings beats and returned to profitability in 2025 with $850 million net income after previous losses. Recent catalysts include S&P 500 inclusion effective September 21, 2026, and growing AI integration in genomics applications.
The outlook remains positive with analyst consensus favoring Buy ratings (54%) and a $241 price target, though current price exceeds consensus. Key opportunities include sequencing growth and AI-driven biological data expansion, while risks involve China market headwinds and elevated valuation multiples. Earnings growth and S&P 500 inclusion provide near-term catalysts, but the stock trades at premium valuations with P/E of 49.96 requiring sustained execution.
Qualcomm (QCOM) trades at $176.01, down 2.79% on the day, with a bearish technical signal but strong fundamentals including 21.01% net income margin and 33.75% ROE. Recent earnings show mixed results with Q2 2026 missing expectations, while the company benefits from diversification into AI data centers and automotive sectors. Analyst consensus price target stands at $204.48, representing 16% upside potential from current levels.
The stock presents a compelling opportunity with reasonable valuation (P/E 20.24) and transformative AI partnerships, particularly the Amazon AWS deal offering up to $60 billion in potential revenue. Key risks include smartphone market dependence and competitive pressures in AI chips. Wall Street sentiment leans positive with 43% buy ratings despite recent technical weakness.
Trailing returns across standard periods
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
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 →Qualcomm develops and licenses wireless technology and designs chips for smartphones. The company's key patents revolve around CDMA and OFDMA technologies, which are standards in wireless communications that are the backbone of all 3G and 4G networks. The firm is a leader in 5G network technology as well. Qualcomm's IP is licensed by virtually all wireless device makers. The firm is also the world's largest wireless chip vendor, supplying nearly every premier handset maker with leading-edge processors. Qualcomm also sells RF-front end modules into smartphones and chips into automotive and Internet of Things markets.
Read more on QCOM →