• Guggenheim downgraded Exact Sciences (NASDAQ:EXAS) from a Buy to a Neutral rating amid news of its acquisition by Abbott Laboratories.
• The acquisition, valued at about $21 billion including net debt, is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, highlighting Exact Sciences' strong position in the cancer diagnostics market.
• Exact Sciences projects revenue exceeding $3 billion this year, with high-teens organic growth, and the acquisition is anticipated to be immediately accretive to Abbott's revenue growth and gross margin.

Exact Sciences (NASDAQ:EXAS), a leading company in the cancer diagnostics industry, known for its innovative screening solutions like Cologuard and Cancerguard, recently experienced a significant development. Guggenheim downgraded EXAS from a Buy to a Neutral rating, with the stock priced at $101.01 at the time. This change comes amid significant developments for the company.

Abbott Laboratories has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Exact Sciences for $105 per common share, valuing the company at approximately $21 billion. This acquisition is set to close in the second quarter of 2026 and will include the assumption of $1.8 billion in net debt, bringing the enterprise value to about $23 billion. This move highlights Exact Sciences' strong position in the cancer diagnostics market.

Exact Sciences projects revenue exceeding $3 billion this year, with high-teens organic growth. The acquisition by Abbott is expected to be immediately accretive to Abbott's revenue growth and gross margin. Abbott CEO Robert Ford praised Exact Sciences for its innovation and strong brand, emphasizing its leadership in the cancer diagnostics space.

The stock for EXAS is currently priced at $101.29, reflecting a significant increase of 17.53% with a change of $15.11. The stock has fluctuated between a low of $100.95 and a high of $101.87 today, marking its highest price in the past year. The lowest price for the stock over the past year was $38.81, and it has a market capitalization of approximately $19.19 billion.

Abbott's acquisition of Exact Sciences is a strategic move to gain leadership in the $60 billion U.S. cancer screening and precision oncology diagnostics market. This partnership aims to accelerate innovation and expand access to life-changing diagnostics, ultimately helping millions more people live healthier lives.