Illumina, Inc. vs Wendys Co — how do they compare? Illumina, Inc. trades at $193.3 (market cap $29.12B), while Wendys Co trades at $7.55 (market cap $1.44B). The key difference: Illumina, Inc. is far larger — about 20.2× Wendys Co's market cap, and Wendys Co pays a 3.71% dividend while Illumina, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ILMN | WEN | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $29.12B | $1.44B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $205.10 | $10.68 |
52-Week Low | $91.00 | $6.17 |
Enterprise Value | $30.48B | $5.17B |
Dividend Yield | — | 3.71% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Illumina (ILMN) trades at $191.79, up 2.04% today, with a neutral technical signal and strong fundamental recovery. The stock shows bullish moving averages but faces resistance near $194. Recent earnings beats and a return to profitability in 2025, with $850M net income, highlight operational turnaround. Revenue remains stable around $4.3B, supported by robust gross margins of 66.38%.
Outlook is positive with analyst consensus Buy rating and $201.58 price target, though high P/E of 35.98 poses valuation risk. Key opportunities include sequencing demand and AI partnerships, while risks involve debt levels and competitive pressures. Institutional activity is mixed, with some funds increasing stakes amid earnings momentum.
Wendy's stock (WEN) trades at $7.30, down 5.07% amid significant operational challenges. The company faces declining U.S. traffic, a 50% dividend cut, and loss of its position as America's second-largest burger chain to Burger King. Despite beating Q2 2026 EPS estimates ($0.18 vs. $0.16 expected), revenue trends remain weak with profit margins contracting from 7.58% in 2025 to 5.72% projected for 2026. Technical indicators show bearish momentum with key support at $7.00.
The outlook remains challenging as new CEO Bob Wright implements a turnaround strategy. While valuation appears reasonable (P/E 11.44, P/S 0.65), execution risks are elevated given competitive pressures and $2.66 billion debt load. Analyst sentiment is mixed with 62.75% hold ratings, reflecting uncertainty about the company's ability to regain market share and improve franchisee economics.
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 →The Wendy's Company is the second-largest burger quick-service restaurant, or QSR, chain in the United States by systemwide sales, with $11.1 billion in 2021, narrowly edging Burger King ($10.3 billion) and clocking in well behind wide-moat McDonald's ($45.7 billion). After divestitures of Tim Hortons (2006) and Arby's (2011), the firm manages just the burger banner, generating sales across a footprint that spans almost 7,000 total units in 30 countries. Wendy's generates revenue from the sale of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, and fries throughout its company-owned footprint, through franchise royalty and marketing fund payments remitted by its franchisees, which account for 94% of stores, and through franchise flipping and advisory fees.
Read more on WEN →