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Upturn AI Summary - About
Quidel Corporation(QDEL)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for QDEL
10/20/2026: QDEL (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Quidel Corporation is a significant player in the diagnostics industry, specializing in point-of-care and laboratory testing solutions. The company is known for its wide range of rapid diagnostic platforms, which have historically driven recurring revenue. Its primary growth opportunity lies in the successful adoption of its new Savanna molecular diagnostic system and the integration of its recent large-scale merger. However, investors should monitor risks regarding debt levels, intense competition from larger firms, and the stabilization of post-pandemic demand. This stock may appeal to growth-oriented investors looking for exposure to the evolving diagnostic landscape, provided they are comfortable with the risks inherent in the current corporate transition.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Mixed fit | The growth narrative depends on successful integration and new product uptake rather than consistent historical growth. |
| Momentum investor | Weak fit | Current momentum is conditional on technical breakouts and fundamental signs of operational improvement. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | Valuation may appear attractive following stock price adjustments, but fundamentals remain in a transition phase. |
| Dividend investor | Weak fit | The company does not provide a significant dividend yield, focusing instead on capital deployment. |
| Low-risk investor | Weak fit | High volatility associated with integration and market shifts makes this unsuitable for conservative portfolios. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | High | The stock has experienced significant swings based on industry trends and company-specific news. |
| Valuation risk | Medium | Market pricing of the post-merger entity involves uncertainty regarding long-term margin profiles. |
| Competition risk (diagnostics) | High | Large incumbents like Abbott and Roche possess significant scale and R&D budgets. |
| Business quality | Medium | The business has core strength in installed base, but integration efforts are still ongoing. |
| Dividend income | Low / none | Income investors will not find dividend support for this holding. |
| Execution risk | Medium / high | Operational success is critical to realizing the synergies of the Ortho Clinical Diagnostics merger. |
Price Behavior
Steep Decline
The stock price has dropped sharply with strong downward pressure.
Extreme Price Shocks
The stock has experienced exceptionally large and disruptive price movements during the period.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -34.21% | Avg. Invested days 33 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  1.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 10/20/2026 |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals
Financial Health Rating
Growth Momentum Score
Ownership
Top 5 Institutional Investors
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Small-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 875.02M USD | Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 14.67 |
Price to earnings Ratio - | 1Y Target Price 14.67 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 2.0M shares | Beta 0.78 | 52 Weeks Range 9.92 - 35.58 | Updated Date 10/20/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 9.92 - 35.58 | Updated Date 10/20/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) -15.61 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| Point-of-Care Diagnostics | Rapid tests for infectious diseases including respiratory and gastrointestinal panels. | This is a high-turnover business segment that provides essential immediate diagnostic answers. |
| Laboratory Diagnostics | High-volume analyzers, reagents, and services for clinical chemistry and immunoassays. | This provides a steady, recurring stream of revenue through long-term service and reagent contracts. |
| Molecular Diagnostics | Advanced PCR systems like Savanna for multiplex testing. | This represents the future growth pipeline, targeting high-complexity diagnostic needs. |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Valuation
Trailing PE - | Forward PE 9.59 | Enterprise Value 3.66B | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.33 |
Enterprise Value 3.66B | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.33 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 1.37 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 22.78 | Shares Outstanding 68.58M | Shares Floating 61.17M |
Shares Outstanding 68.58M | Shares Floating 61.17M | ||
Percent Insiders 0.9 | Percent Institutions 124.08 |
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.
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