BIIB vs. ILMN: Biogen vs. Illumina Stock Comparison
How do Biogen (BIIB) 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
Biogen (BIIB) and Illumina (ILMN) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but BIIB is classified in Biotechnology while ILMN is classified in Life Sciences Tools & Services.
| Profile Item | BIIB | ILMN |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Biogen 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 | 36.71 billion USD | 32.23 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | September 17, 1991 | July 28, 2000 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | BIIB | ILMN |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 65.44% | 79.70% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 4.62% | 28.16% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | -0.96% | -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 Biogen (BIIB) is defensive at 0.08 and tends to be less market-sensitive — they sit on opposite ends of the beta spectrum.
| Metric | BIIB | ILMN |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 34.58% | 48.47% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.08 | 1.46 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -64.35% | -82.95% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 1.05M | 2.77M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | BIIB | ILMN |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 1.77 | 1.56 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 2.77 | 2.25 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Illumina (ILMN) at 32.39% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Biogen (BIIB) at 1.87% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for ILMN.
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.87%
- Max
- 109.18%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- BIIB
- 1.87%
- 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)
Illumina (ILMN) at 19.72% converts revenue to bottom-line profit above its industry’s benchmark range, while Biogen (BIIB) at 3.38% keeps roughly the typical share for its industry.
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
3.38%
- Max
- 18.05%
- Q3
- 4.78%
- BIIB
- 3.38%
- 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 Biogen (BIIB) at 24.12% 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.
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
24.12%
- Max
- 83.12%
- BIIB
- 24.12%
- 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 | BIIB | ILMN |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 1.87% | 32.39% |
| ROA (TTM) | 4.94% | 8.32% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 3.38% | 19.72% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 24.12% | 20.02% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 75.77% | 67.68% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Biogen (BIIB) at 2.22% is around its peer norm for revenue growth, while Illumina (ILMN) at -0.66% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker demand or pricing momentum.
EPS Growth
Only one side can be read here: Biogen (BIIB) reports EPS growth of -21.38%, ranked against its industry; Illumina (ILMN) has no EPS growth figure this period.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | BIIB | ILMN |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 2.22% | -0.66% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | -0.94% | -1.78% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -21.38% | -- |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -25.04% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Illumina (ILMN) at 2.63 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Biogen (BIIB) at 1.95 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for BIIB.
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.95
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- Q1
- 2.47
- BIIB
- 1.95
- 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)
Biogen (BIIB) at 0.41 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Illumina (ILMN) at 0.74 uses more debt funding than most peers.
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.41
- Max
- 1.42
- Q3
- 0.65
- BIIB
- 0.41
- 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 | BIIB | ILMN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.95 | 2.63 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.41 | 0.74 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.97 | 0.85 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Neither Biogen (BIIB) nor Illumina (ILMN) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- BIIB
- 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 Biogen (BIIB) nor Illumina (ILMN) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- BIIB
- 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 | BIIB | ILMN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Illumina (ILMN) at 36.68 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Biogen (BIIB) at 107.51 sits above its peer range — an unusually expensive price for BIIB’s trailing earnings.
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
107.51
- BIIB
- 107.51
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- Median
- 26.69
- Q1
- 13.30
- 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 Biogen (BIIB) at 3.57 and Illumina (ILMN) at 7.10 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
3.57
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- Median
- 7.30
- BIIB
- 3.57
- 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)
Biogen (BIIB) at 1.94 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.
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.94
- Max
- 13.53
- Q3
- 6.54
- Median
- 3.25
- BIIB
- 1.94
- 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 | BIIB | ILMN |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 107.51 | 36.68 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 3.57 | 7.10 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 1.94 | 10.30 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 2.20% | 2.67% |