ALNY vs. ILMN: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals vs. Illumina Stock Comparison
How do Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) and Illumina (ILMN) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) and Illumina (ILMN) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but ALNY is classified in Biotechnology while ILMN is classified in Life Sciences Tools & Services.
| Profile Item | ALNY | ILMN |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Illumina Inc. |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry Group | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences |
| GICS Industry | Biotechnology | Life Sciences Tools & Services |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Biotechnology | Life Sciences Tools & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 20.89 billion USD | 32.23 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | June 1, 2004 | July 28, 2000 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | ALNY | ILMN |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | -64.57% | 79.70% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | -1.58% | 28.16% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | -3.13% | -10.65% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
Illumina (ILMN) has an aggressive beta of 1.46, indicating higher sensitivity to broad-market moves, while Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) is defensive at 0.45 and tends to be less market-sensitive — they sit on opposite ends of the beta spectrum.
| Metric | ALNY | ILMN |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 54.08% | 48.47% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.45 | 1.46 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -68.25% | -82.95% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 1.90M | 2.77M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | ALNY | ILMN |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | -1.27 | 1.56 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | -1.45 | 2.25 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both companies show strong equity returns, but Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) at 138.07% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; Illumina (ILMN) at 32.39% also sits in the top quartile.
ALNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
138.07%
- ALNY
- 138.07%
- Max
- 109.18%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- Median
- -26.66%
- Q1
- -64.05%
- Min
- -167.77%
ILMN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
32.39%
- Max
- 109.18%
- ILMN
- 32.39%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- Median
- -26.66%
- Q1
- -64.05%
- Min
- -167.77%
Net Margin (TTM)
Both Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) at 52.85% and Illumina (ILMN) at 19.72% keep an unusually large share of revenue as bottom-line profit — each net margin clears its industry’s benchmark range.
ALNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
52.85%
- ALNY
- 52.85%
- Max
- 18.05%
- Q3
- 4.78%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -4.14%
- Min
- -17.05%
ILMN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
19.72%
- ILMN
- 19.72%
- Max
- 18.05%
- Q3
- 4.78%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -4.14%
- Min
- -17.05%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) at 23.72% and Illumina (ILMN) at 20.02% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.
ALNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
23.72%
- Max
- 83.12%
- ALNY
- 23.72%
- Q3
- 14.77%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -78.82%
- Min
- -207.40%
ILMN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
20.02%
- Max
- 83.12%
- ILMN
- 20.02%
- Q3
- 14.77%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -78.82%
- Min
- -207.40%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | ALNY | ILMN |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 138.07% | 32.39% |
| ROA (TTM) | 9.51% | 8.32% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 52.85% | 19.72% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 23.72% | 20.02% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 77.28% | 67.68% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) at 65.19% sits in the top revenue growth quartile, while Illumina (ILMN) at -0.66% is in the bottom quartile, showing a clear gap in revenue momentum.
EPS Growth
Neither Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) nor Illumina (ILMN) reports a EPS growth value for this period, so a direct comparison isn't possible.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | ALNY | ILMN |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 65.19% | -0.66% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 52.98% | -1.78% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -- | -- |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -- | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) at 2.48 and Illumina (ILMN) at 2.63 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.
ALNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.48
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- ALNY
- 2.48
- Q1
- 2.47
- Min
- 0.10
ILMN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.63
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- ILMN
- 2.63
- Q1
- 2.47
- Min
- 0.10
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Both Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) at 0.83 and Illumina (ILMN) at 0.74 lean more heavily on debt funding than most peers, landing in the higher-leverage quartile of their industries.
ALNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.83
- Max
- 1.42
- ALNY
- 0.83
- Q3
- 0.65
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
ILMN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.74
- Max
- 1.42
- ILMN
- 0.74
- Q3
- 0.65
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | ALNY | ILMN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.48 | 2.63 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.83 | 0.74 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -0.57 | 0.85 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Neither Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) nor Illumina (ILMN) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
ALNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- ALNY
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ILMN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- ILMN
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Neither Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) nor Illumina (ILMN) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
ALNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- ALNY
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ILMN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- ILMN
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | ALNY | ILMN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) at 7.88 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while Illumina (ILMN) at 36.68 is closer to its industry’s usual earnings multiple — a discount for ALNY, though growth and earnings durability still matter.
ALNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
7.88
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- Median
- 26.69
- Q1
- 13.30
- ALNY
- 7.88
- Min
- 0.07
ILMN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
36.68
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- ILMN
- 36.68
- Median
- 26.69
- Q1
- 13.30
- Min
- 0.07
P/S Ratio (TTM)
On P/S ratio, both Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) at 4.17 and Illumina (ILMN) at 7.10 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.
ALNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
4.17
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- Median
- 7.30
- ALNY
- 4.17
- Q1
- 3.01
- Min
- 0.01
ILMN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
7.10
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- Median
- 7.30
- ILMN
- 7.10
- Q1
- 3.01
- Min
- 0.01
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY) at 5.79 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Illumina (ILMN) at 10.30 carries an above-peer premium to book — ILMN is pricier on assets.
ALNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
5.79
- Max
- 13.53
- Q3
- 6.54
- ALNY
- 5.79
- Median
- 3.25
- Q1
- 1.69
- Min
- -5.59
ILMN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
10.30
- Max
- 13.53
- ILMN
- 10.30
- Q3
- 6.54
- Median
- 3.25
- Q1
- 1.69
- Min
- -5.59
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ALNY | ILMN |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 7.88 | 36.68 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 4.17 | 7.10 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 5.79 | 10.30 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 1.57% | 2.67% |