QIAGEN lowers 2026 outlook as QuantiFERON immigration testing drops
QIAGEN N.V. (NYSE: QGEN; Frankfurt: QIA) reported preliminary first-quarter 2026 results with net sales of $492 million, up 2% on a reported basis but down 1% at constant exchange rates compared to the prior year period. The company had previously forecast at least 1% constant exchange rate growth for the quarter.
Adjusted diluted earnings per share reached $0.54, meeting the company's outlook. The biotechnology company's growth pillars collectively grew 4% at constant exchange rates compared to the first quarter of 2025.
Sample technologies delivered 9% constant exchange rate growth, reaching $170 million in sales. QIAcuity digital PCR posted double-digit growth driven by higher consumables and instrument sales. QIAGEN Digital Insights recorded single-digit gains led by clinical bioinformatics.
QuantiFERON sales declined 5% at constant exchange rates to $113 million, primarily due to reduced immigration testing demand in the United States and Middle East. The company now expects QuantiFERON full-year 2026 sales to remain unchanged at constant exchange rates compared to 2025 sales of $503 million.
QIAGEN revised its full-year 2026 outlook, now expecting net sales growth of about 1-2% at constant exchange rates, down from the previous forecast of at least 5% growth. Adjusted diluted earnings per share are expected to be at least $2.43 at constant exchange rates, reduced from the prior outlook of at least $2.50.
For the second quarter of 2026, the company expects net sales to decline approximately 2% at constant exchange rates from $534 million in the second quarter of 2025. Adjusted diluted earnings per share are projected to be at least $0.60 at constant exchange rates.
The company cited headwinds from reduced QuantiFERON immigration testing demand, sustained caution among U.S. Life Sciences customers, and increased geopolitical uncertainty as key factors affecting the revised outlook.
