Quest Diagnostics (DGX) vs Illumina (ILMN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Illumina (ILMN) has outperformed Quest Diagnostics (DGX) over the past year, gaining 180.9% versus a gain of 25.3%. Over five years, DGX leads with a +59.9% price change compared with -31.9% for ILMN. Illumina is the larger company by market cap ($40.43 billion vs $25.06 billion), about 1.6 times the size, while Quest Diagnostics is growing revenue faster (+11.8% vs -0.7%).
On valuation, Quest Diagnostics trades at a lower forward P/E (18.8x vs 43.8x for Illumina). Quest Diagnostics pays a dividend yielding 1.46%, while Illumina does not currently pay one. Illumina converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 19.6% versus 9.0%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | DGX | ILMN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $227.06 | $267.76 |
| Market cap | $25.06B | $40.43B |
| 1-day change | -0.58% | -2.11% |
| YTD return | +31.33% | +107.05% |
| 1-year return | +25.30% | +180.89% |
| 5-year return | +59.93% | -31.90% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 24.10 | 49.96 |
| Forward P/E | 18.83 | 43.83 |
| EPS (TTM) | $9.42 | $5.36 |
| Dividend yield | 1.46% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $3.32 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $11.04B | $4.34B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +11.78% | -0.66% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $992.00M | $850.00M |
| Gross margin | 33.21% | 66.08% |
| Operating margin | 14.10% | 18.58% |
| Net margin | 8.99% | 19.57% |
| 52-week high | $248.84 | $309.35 |
| 52-week low | $171.18 | $88.00 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -8.75% | -13.44% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +9.25% | -16.40% |
| Average volume | 1.04M | 2.66M |
| Shares outstanding | 110.37M | 151.00M |
| Employees | 46,000 | 8,600 |
| Sector | Healthcare | Healthcare |
| Industry | Diagnostics & Research | Diagnostics & Research |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- ILMN has outperformed DGX by 155.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Illumina trades at a higher earnings multiple (50.0x vs 24.1x trailing P/E).
- Quest Diagnostics offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.46% vs 0.00%).
- Illumina is more profitable, keeping 19.6 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 9.0 cents for Quest Diagnostics.
- Quest Diagnostics grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+11.78% vs -0.66%).
About Quest Diagnostics
DGX stock →Quest Diagnostics Incorporated provides diagnostic testing and services in the United States. The company develops and delivers diagnostic information services, such as routine, non-routine and advanced clinical testing, anatomic pathology testing, and other diagnostic information services.
Healthcare · Diagnostics & Research · 46,000 employees
About Illumina
ILMN stock →Illumina, Inc. provides sequencing- and array-based solutions for genetic and genomic analysis in the Americas, Europe, Greater China, the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa.
Healthcare · Diagnostics & Research · 8,600 employees
DGX vs ILMN FAQ
Which is bigger, Quest Diagnostics or Illumina?
Illumina (ILMN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $40.43B compared with $25.06B for Quest Diagnostics (DGX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, DGX or ILMN?
ILMN returned +180.89% over the past 12 months, compared with +25.30% for DGX (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, DGX or ILMN?
DGX has the lower trailing P/E at 24.1, versus 50.0 for ILMN. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Quest Diagnostics or Illumina?
Quest Diagnostics pays a dividend yielding 1.46%, while Illumina does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Quest Diagnostics and Illumina in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Diagnostics & Research industry within the Healthcare sector.