3SOF

fyi:
ILMN: Caris & Co Keeps @ Above Average; Cuts Tgt to $42 vs $49; Analyst Notes
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 15:09ET
Issuer: Illumina Incorporated (NasdaqNM: ILMN)
Analyst Firm:  Caris & Company
Ratings Action: REITERATION
Current Rating: Above Average Target
Price Action: DECREASE
Target Price: $42.00 (-14.29% from $49.00)

Analyst Comments: Illumina's (ILMN) strong 3Q08 results represented another record quarter for the Company, driven by strong next generation sequencing instruments and consumables sales as well as robust genotyping demand. They are reducing their price target from $49 to $42, reflecting the lower valuation umbrella.

llumina Announces $120 Million Share Repurchase Program
Friday , October 24, 2008 06:00ET

SAN DIEGO, Oct 24, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN) today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program, authorizing the Company to repurchase in the aggregate up to $120 million of its outstanding common stock.

"Given the underlying strength of Illumina's business and the recent turbulence in the equity markets, we think our current stock price is undervalued. Therefore, we believe the stock buy-back program is in the best interests of our stockholders," said Jay Flatley, Illumina's President and Chief Executive Officer.

Under the program authorized by its Board of Directors, Illumina may repurchase shares in open-market purchases or through privately negotiated transactions as permitted under Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 10b-18. The extent to which Illumina repurchases its shares and the timing of such repurchases will depend upon market conditions and other corporate considerations, as determined by Illumina's management team. The purchases will be funded from existing cash balances.

AP
Ahead of the Bell: Illumina rises
Wednesday February 4, 9:06 am ET 
Illumina shares advance on larger-than-expected 4th quarter profit and 2009 forecasts


NEW YORK (AP) -- Shares of Illumina Inc. jumped in premarket trading Wednesday after the genetic test maker posted fourth-quarter results that surpassed analyst expectations, and its 2009 forecast pleased Wall Street.


The San Diego company said it sold record numbers of its Genome Analyzer, BeadExpress Reader and iScan testing systems during the fourth quarter. While medical-equipment makers have been stung by cutbacks in hospital spending, as their customers respond to economic turmoil, Illumina's first-quarter and full-year forecasts were on par with analyst estimates.

The stock climbed $3.51, or 12.5 percent, to $31.50. Illumina shares finished at $27.99 Tuesday.

Deutsche Bank analyst Ross Muken said Illumina posted a "very strong" quarter, with improved profit margins due to "exceptional" sales of consumable items. He maintained a "Buy" rating on the stock, and raised his price target to $41.50 per share from $36.

"Illumina remains the clear leader in genetic analysis tools, with significant growth across all of its major platforms," he said.

Illumina shares last traded at $41.50 in late September.

Cowen and Co. analyst Doug Schenkel said Illumina's instrument sales were better than he expected, and he noted that the company's forecast does not include any potential benefits from an economic stimulus bill, which could aid its results in the second half of the year.

"We believe there continues to be ample room for upside over the course of the year," Schenkel wrote.

AP
Ahead of the Bell: Illumina rises
Wednesday February 4, 9:06 am ET 
Illumina shares advance on larger-than-expected 4th quarter profit and 2009 forecasts


NEW YORK (AP) -- Shares of Illumina Inc. jumped in premarket trading Wednesday after the genetic test maker posted fourth-quarter results that surpassed analyst expectations, and its 2009 forecast pleased Wall Street.


The San Diego company said it sold record numbers of its Genome Analyzer, BeadExpress Reader and iScan testing systems during the fourth quarter. While medical-equipment makers have been stung by cutbacks in hospital spending, as their customers respond to economic turmoil, Illumina's first-quarter and full-year forecasts were on par with analyst estimates.

The stock climbed $3.51, or 12.5 percent, to $31.50. Illumina shares finished at $27.99 Tuesday.

Deutsche Bank analyst Ross Muken said Illumina posted a "very strong" quarter, with improved profit margins due to "exceptional" sales of consumable items. He maintained a "Buy" rating on the stock, and raised his price target to $41.50 per share from $36.

"Illumina remains the clear leader in genetic analysis tools, with significant growth across all of its major platforms," he said.

Illumina shares last traded at $41.50 in late September.

Cowen and Co. analyst Doug Schenkel said Illumina's instrument sales were better than he expected, and he noted that the company's forecast does not include any potential benefits from an economic stimulus bill, which could aid its results in the second half of the year.

"We believe there continues to be ample room for upside over the course of the year," Schenkel wrote.

 
nice chart action....