QuidelOrtho (QDEL) opened Q1 2026 with revenue of US$619.8 million and a basic EPS loss of US$1.35, while trailing 12 month figures show revenue of US$2.66 billion against a basic EPS loss of US$17.81. Over the past six reported quarters, revenue has ranged from US$613.9 million to US$723.6 million, and quarterly basic EPS has moved between a loss of US$0.19 and a loss of US$10.78. This leaves investors focused on how much of today’s revenue base can ultimately translate into more stable margins.

See our full analysis for QuidelOrtho.

With the headline numbers on the table, the next step is to set these results against the most common narratives around QuidelOrtho and see which stories are supported by the data and which start to look stretched.

Trailing Losses Remain Heavy At Over US$1.2b

• On a trailing 12 month basis, QuidelOrtho reported revenue of US$2.66b and a net loss of US$1.21b, which works out to a basic EPS loss of US$17.81.
• Bears focus on the fact that losses over the past five years have grown at about 63.6% a year, and the latest trailing figures line up with that concern.
  • Net loss over the last 12 months of US$1.21b compares with a loss of US$358.7 million at the start of the period, which is a very large step up in dollar terms.
  • Analysts in the cautious camp also point out that QuidelOrtho is not forecast to be profitable over the next three years, so there is no near term earnings relief baked into their view.

On these numbers, skeptics argue that the core issue is not just a bad quarter but a pattern of sizeable trailing losses that still has no clear endpoint in the forecasts they are using. 🐻 QuidelOrtho Bear Case

Revenue Holding Around US$2.7b While Growth Stays Modest

• Revenue on a trailing 12 month basis is US$2.66b, with the analysis describing a 3.1% annual growth rate that sits below the cited 11.3% a year for the broader US market.
• The consensus narrative leans on steady global diagnostic demand and expansion into underpenetrated markets, but the modest 3.1% growth rate and falling COVID testing revenues show that topline progress is currently much slower than the backdrop it is being compared to.
  • COVID testing revenue for 2025 is guided to US$70 million to US$100 million compared with a prior range of US$110 million to US$140 million, so a shrinking high margin category is an explicit headwind inside that 3.1% growth number.
  • At the same time, management initiatives such as procurement savings, site consolidation and other cost programs are cited in the narratives as helping margins, yet the company still reported a Q1 2026 net loss of US$91.8 million despite US$619.8 million of revenue.

Low P/S Of 0.3x Versus DCF Value Of US$50.09

• With the share price at US$10.96, the stock is described as trading on a P/S of 0.3x compared with 1.3x for peers and 2.7x for the wider US Medical Equipment industry, and far below a stated DCF fair value of US$50.09.
• Bullish investors argue that this wide gap to DCF fair value and to peer P/S multiples reflects an overly pessimistic view of future earnings power, but the same data set also flags less than one year of cash runway and ongoing losses, which makes it important to separate theoretical upside from the current balance sheet strain.
  • The current price is about 78.1% below the DCF fair value of US$50.09, so even a partial closing of that gap would be meaningful in percentage terms, yet there is no forecasted profitability in the next three years to naturally drive that re rating.
  • Share price volatility has also been higher than the US market over the past three months, which matches the picture of a stock that screens as cheap on multiples while the business is still working through sizeable trailing losses and limited cash coverage.

For anyone weighing that valuation gap against the operational risks, it helps to see how bullish investors are framing the longer term earnings story in more detail. 🐂 QuidelOrtho Bull Case

Next Steps

To see how these results tie into long-term growth, risks, and valuation, check out the full range of community narratives for QuidelOrtho on Simply Wall St. Add the company to your watchlist or portfolio so you'll be alerted when the story evolves.

With sentiment split between ongoing losses and potential rewards, it makes sense to look at the full picture yourself and not wait on others to decide what it means. To weigh the balance of risks and positives in one place, start with these 2 key rewards and 3 important warning signs

See What Else Is Out There

QuidelOrtho is dealing with heavy trailing losses of over US$1.2b, modest 3.1% revenue growth, limited cash runway and no near term profitability in forecasts.

If that mix of losses and balance sheet pressure feels like too much risk, cut through the noise and quickly focus on sturdier candidates using our solid balance sheet and fundamentals stocks screener (45 results)

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.