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        <title>Oxford Nanopore Technologies Limited (LSE:ONT) Share Price, History, &amp; News | The Motley Fool UK</title>
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	<title>Oxford Nanopore Technologies Limited (LSE:ONT) Share Price, History, &amp; News | The Motley Fool UK</title>
	<link>https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-ont/</link>
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                                <title>Up 9.9%! Here&#8217;s why Oxford Nanopore stock topped the FTSE 250 today</title>
                <link>https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/01/12/up-9-5-heres-why-oxford-nanopore-stock-topped-the-ftse-250-today/</link>
                                <pubDate>Mon, 12 Jan 2026 16:20:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ben McPoland]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Market Movers]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.fool.co.uk/?p=1632976</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>This innovative company's stock price marched higher today in the FTSE 250 index. Might this be my first Stocks and Shares ISA buy of 2026?</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/01/12/up-9-5-heres-why-oxford-nanopore-stock-topped-the-ftse-250-today/">Up 9.9%! Here&#8217;s why Oxford Nanopore stock topped the FTSE 250 today</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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<p>Shareholders in <strong>Oxford Nanopore Technologies</strong>&nbsp;(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-ont/">LSE:ONT</a>) were having a good day today (12 January), with the stock rising to the top of the daily <strong>FTSE 250</strong> performance charts. </p>



<p>As I write mid-afternoon, it&#8217;s up 9.9% while the wider mid-cap index is down 0.2%. </p>



<p>Let&#8217;s take a closer look at Oxford Nanopore to see whether the news behind today&#8217;s rise makes me want to invest. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-company-at-a-glance">The company at a glance</h2>



<p>For those wondering what this quirkily named business is, it&#8217;s a <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/market-sectors/investing-in-biotech-stocks-in-the-uk/">biotech</a> specialising in DNA and RNA sequencing.</p>



<p>Its novel technology works by passing an electric current through a tiny hole called a ‘nanopore’ in a membrane&nbsp;(hence the Oxford-based firm&#8217;s name). This enables researchers to read the molecular code. </p>



<p>The company listed in late 2021, but the share price has fallen around 74% since then. That&#8217;s largely because it&#8217;s still posting losses, which turns off a lot of investors, especially when decent risk-free and low-risk returns can be made from cash and <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/what-are-bonds/">gilts</a>.   </p>



<p>Nevertheless, after today&#8217;s jump, the stock is up by an impressive 20% year to date. So, the market&#8217;s quickly starting to re-assess the company&#8217;s growth prospects.  </p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Oxford Nanopore Technologies Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:ONT" data-range="5y" data-start-date="2021-01-12" data-end-date="2026-01-12" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-is-that">Why is that?</h2>



<p>The reason for today&#8217;s rise relates to Oxford Nanopore&#8217;s trading update for 2025. For the full year, the group expects to report revenue of approximately £223m-£224m, representing robust year-on-year growth of 24% at constant currency.</p>



<p>This was slightly ahead of its previous guidance range of 20%-23%. More impressively, this is significantly faster growth than the wider life sciences tool industry, which has hit a bit of a speedbump in recent years.</p>



<p>Impressively, growth of 20%+ came from all regions (Americas, Asia Pacific, and Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India). All segments contributed, including Clinical (up around 60%), followed by BioPharma (+30%), Applied Industrial (+27%), and Research (+15%).</p>



<p>The firm said growth was driven by its PromethION range, which grew by more than 40% on a reported basis. The PromethION is its high-throughput benchtop sequencing system. </p>



<p>Its other MinION devices are portable, pocket-sized sequencers about the size of a mobile phone.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-should-i-buy-some-shares">Should I buy some shares?</h2>



<p>I&#8217;m on the lookout for my first stock purchase of 2026. Does Oxford Nanopore fit the bill? </p>



<p>Well, the firm said it made progress on its path towards profitability. It expects to reach breakeven on an adjusted EBITDA basis next year, then turn cash flow positive in 2028.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Of course, loss-making companies like this add risk for investors because the business model hasn&#8217;t been tried and tested. If something happens to delay Oxford Nanopore&#8217;s progress, more cash might need to be raised, potentially diluting existing shareholders. </p>



<p>However, with such strong revenue growth and £302m in cash and equivalents, the path towards profitability looks clearer today than it ever has.   </p>



<p>In theory, Oxford Nanopore could become a very profitable business in future, as it operates a classic ‘razor-and-blade’ model. This is where its innovative sequencing devices (the ‘razors’) open the door to high-margin revenue from consumables (the &#8216;blades&#8217;). </p>



<p>The market tends to place a premium on this type of recurring revenue, which could sustain its price-to-sales multiple of 7. </p>



<p>Adventurous growth investors might want to consider the stock. For me though, I&#8217;ll wait until Oxford Nanopore reports final results in March to hear more about its path to profitability. </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2026/01/12/up-9-5-heres-why-oxford-nanopore-stock-topped-the-ftse-250-today/">Up 9.9%! Here&#8217;s why Oxford Nanopore stock topped the FTSE 250 today</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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                                <title>I asked ChatGPT for 3 top value FTSE 250 stocks for 2026, and it picked&#8230;</title>
                <link>https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/12/29/i-asked-chatgpt-for-3-top-value-ftse-250-stocks-for-2026-and-it-picked/</link>
                                <pubDate>Mon, 29 Dec 2025 07:30:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Alan Oscroft]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Value Shares]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.fool.co.uk/?p=1625490</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>If 2026 is the year smaller-cap FTSE 250 stocks head back into the limelight, it could pay to find some good-value candidates now.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/12/29/i-asked-chatgpt-for-3-top-value-ftse-250-stocks-for-2026-and-it-picked/">I asked ChatGPT for 3 top value FTSE 250 stocks for 2026, and it picked&#8230;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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<p>I see some cracking potential buys in the <strong>FTSE 250</strong> for 2026, after underperformance against the <strong>FTSE 100</strong> over the past five years. Some of that will have been because the mid-cap index is more UK-focused, and doesn&#8217;t offer the same global safety margins. But as the UK economy recovers and inflation and interest rates fall, I can see a renewed focus on smaller stocks.</p>



<p>Using AI search tools turns up a good few candidates. So here I&#8217;m checking out three I like the look of. And they&#8217;re very different to each other.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-housing-stock">Housing stock</h2>



<p><strong>Vistry Group</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-vty/">LSE: VTY</a>) is down 35% in the past five years. And the Vistry share price has had a more <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/understanding-the-market/what-is-market-volatility/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">volatile ride</a> than most in the sector. But the past 12 months brought a 14.5% rise. And November&#8217;s trading update said &#8220;<em>activity levels have continued to build through the second half of the year</em>.&#8221;</p>



<p>CEO Greg Fitzgerald added that &#8220;<em>the group&#8217;s overall sales rate since 1 July is up 11% compared to the same period last year.</em>&#8221; The company expects a year-on-year profit rise for the full year, and predicts a fall in net debt too. Analyst forecast strong earnings growth out to 2027.</p>



<p>As a relatively small player in the sector, Vistry could exhibit more share price weakness. But I reckon those who see long-term strength in building should seriously consider it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jammy-future">Jammy future?</h2>



<p>How about a FTSE 250 &#8216;jam tomorrow&#8217; growth stock next? My eyes fall on <strong>Oxford Nanopore</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-ont/">LSE: ONT</a>). The share price has plunged 77% over five years, reflecting the lack of bottom-line profit on the near horizon &#8212; thought forecasts suggest we could be very close to break-even by 2027.</p>



<p>And on the bright side, this year&#8217;s first half saw gross profit rise 24% to £61.4m. It was still overshadowed by a pre-tax loss of £69m, but that&#8217;s down a bit. The <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/understanding-company-accounts/the-balance-sheet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">balance sheet</a>, however, showed cash and equivalents of £194m. Is that enough to see the company through to first profits? It might indeed be.</p>



<p>The company&#8217;s DNA/RNA sequencing technology looks very promising. And with analysts hinting that profit days might not be far away, I rate this as one of the better risky growth stocks to consider.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-promo-profits">Promo profits</h2>



<p>Based in the UK, <strong>4imprint</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-four/">LSE: FOUR</a>) is a major supplier of promotional goods to the American market. That meant a kicking from Donald Trump&#8217;s tariffs. And March&#8217;s 2024 full-year update already showed orders for the first two months of 2025 down a bit. Chairman Paul Moody even then spoke of &#8220;<em>potential tariff impacts</em>.&#8221;</p>



<p>We&#8217;ve had a 20% share price fall in 2025. But that still leaves 4imprint stock up 46% over five years. And to me that shows resilience in the face of international trade difficulties.</p>



<p>Analysts see a few years of slow earnings, so share weakness could go on for a while. But for those who share my thought that the US tariff regime has to crumble &#8212; because it&#8217;s hurting US consumers, if nothing else &#8212; this has to be an opportunity to consider a long-term investment.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/12/29/i-asked-chatgpt-for-3-top-value-ftse-250-stocks-for-2026-and-it-picked/">I asked ChatGPT for 3 top value FTSE 250 stocks for 2026, and it picked&#8230;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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                                <title>2 beaten-down FTSE 250 stocks to consider before markets rebound</title>
                <link>https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/09/17/2-beaten-down-ftse-250-stocks-to-consider-before-markets-rebound/</link>
                                <pubDate>Wed, 17 Sep 2025 08:05:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Hartley]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Value Shares]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.fool.co.uk/?p=1576550</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Mark Hartley examines two FTSE 250 shares that have slipped this year but could rally when markets recover. Could these be rebound opportunities?</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/09/17/2-beaten-down-ftse-250-stocks-to-consider-before-markets-rebound/">2 beaten-down FTSE 250 stocks to consider before markets rebound</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
]]></description>
                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>UK shares have been under pressure lately, especially smaller companies listed on the <strong>FTSE 250</strong>. Rising interest rates, weak consumer sentiment and macro-uncertainty have dented investor confidence. Smaller-caps tend to react more sharply – both when fears take hold and when recovery begins.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While large FTSE giants may offer relative safety, smaller stocks often deliver bigger swings, which may frighten some but could offer an opportunity for others. Earnings volatility, funding issues and underwhelming results are common risks these companies face.&nbsp;</p>



<p>But every so often, I spot a few whose fundamentals are still good despite short-term struggles.</p>



<p>Here are two that have suffered losses this month but could come back stronger when markets recover.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oxford-nanopore-technologies">Oxford Nanopore Technologies</h2>



<p><strong>Oxford Nanopore </strong>(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-ont/">LSE: ONT</a>) develops a new generation of DNA/RNA sequencing technology. In its latest half-year results, the company announced its first-half gross profit rose 24% to £61.4m on the back of revenue that grew 28% to £105.6m at constant currency. Its pre-tax loss narrowed slightly to £69m from £71.4m.</p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Oxford Nanopore Technologies Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:ONT" data-range="5y" data-start-date="" data-end-date="" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<p>Despite these seemingly strong numbers, its shares have been on a bit of a wobble, down around 25% in the past month. The reason for this dip seems to be the company&#8217;s lack of an upgrade to its full-year guidance, which still anticipates revenue growth of only 20%-23%.</p>



<p>This seemed to disappoint some investors who had hoped for a more significant improvement. However, I think the company&#8217;s continued reiteration of its guidance is still a good sign of its confidence. The financials look healthy, with very little debt and liabilities that are well-covered by assets.</p>



<p>Risk-wise, it&#8217;s still a high-growth company that&#8217;s not yet profitable, so its spending is significant, and it&#8217;s burning through cash. It also faces competition from larger, more established players in the gene sequencing space. The journey to profitability might be longer than some hope, and any delays could cause further share price volatility.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, for a long-term investor, I think the current low price is an opportunity to consider as it continues to grow its market share in an exciting, high-tech industry.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-paypoint">PayPoint</h2>



<p><strong>PayPoint </strong>(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-pay/">LSE: PAY</a>) operates a vast network of payment services, including eMoney, pre-paid cards and electronic point of sale systems. Its shares are also down, having fallen around 10% in the past month, which seems to reflect a period of weak sentiment.</p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="PayPoint Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:PAY" data-range="5y" data-start-date="" data-end-date="" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<p>Margins fell to near-1% in the second half of 2024 but it&#8217;s still profitable with a <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/how-to-value-shares/return-on-equity-and-return-on-capital-employed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">return on equity</a> (ROE) of 17.9%. And while debt has risen above £100m, its free cash flow remains strong at £48.42m.</p>



<p>The dividends tell a promising story too, with a 5.8% yield and payments that are covered 2.4 times by cash. Reassuringly, the board recently proposed a final <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/how-shares-are-taxed-2/how-dividends-are-taxed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dividend</a> of 19.6p a share, an increase from 19.2p last year.</p>



<p>As with any stock, an investor should be cautious. The falling margins are a risk that must be monitored. Although it’s a good sign that the company remains profitable, it must keep a tight grip on costs. While somewhat niche, it faces competition from newer payment technology providers.</p>



<p>However, its forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is a low 8.75, which suggests earnings are expected to improve notably. Combined with the dividend, I think it&#8217;s worth looking at for both value and income investors.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/09/17/2-beaten-down-ftse-250-stocks-to-consider-before-markets-rebound/">2 beaten-down FTSE 250 stocks to consider before markets rebound</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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                                <title>Forecast: these FTSE 250 stocks could surge 59% and 65% by 2026</title>
                <link>https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/09/13/forecast-these-ftse-250-stocks-could-surge-59-and-65-by-2026/</link>
                                <pubDate>Sat, 13 Sep 2025 10:15:22 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ben McPoland]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Growth Shares]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.fool.co.uk/?p=1573751</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>City analysts are bullish on these two growth stocks from the FTSE 250 index. Ben McPoland takes a closer look at the pair.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/09/13/forecast-these-ftse-250-stocks-could-surge-59-and-65-by-2026/">Forecast: these FTSE 250 stocks could surge 59% and 65% by 2026</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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<p>Keeping an eye on broker price targets for <strong>FTSE</strong> <strong>100</strong> and<strong> FTSE</strong> <strong>250</strong> stocks can be worthwhile. They don&#8217;t always end up accurate, of course, and analysts can be like stock market weathermen, forever adjusting their forecasts as share prices get blown this way and that.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Still, they give a quick snapshot of sentiment. Stocks that are trading at or above analysts&#8217; targets suggest both the City and market are in agreement. Whereas one trading far beneath its consensus target may suggest it&#8217;s underappreciated, and worth digging into.</p>



<p>Here are two FTSE 250 stocks that recently attracted bullish broker updates, and are currently trading well below their consensus 12-month price estimates.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trainline">Trainline </h2>



<p>Travel ticket booker <strong>Trainline</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-trn/">LSE:TRN</a>) got a Buy rating earlier this month from <strong>UBS</strong>. The bank reiterated its 465p price target &#8212; 59% above the stock&#8217;s current level.</p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Trainline Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:TRN" data-range="5y" data-start-date="2020-09-13" data-end-date="2025-09-13" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<p>Trainline&#8217;s down 32% year to date, which reflects concerns about a new potential competitor in the shape of a train ticket booking system under Great British Railways. This has the potential to affect Trainline&#8217;s model, which has thrived on the complexity and fragmentation of the UK&#8217;s rail network.</p>



<p>We don&#8217;t know how this will play out. But Trainline also has a presence in Europe, particularly Spain and France, where ticket bookings have been growing strongly.  </p>



<p>Meanwhile, it has a business-to-business Solutions unit that provides ticketing technology to rail operators and other firms. Solutions is the higher-margin division and provides the lion’s share of profits.</p>



<p>Analysts don&#8217;t see much top-line growth over the next couple of years. But a 42% rise in earnings per share is forecast this financial year, followed by another 10% increase next year. This puts the stock on a reasonable forward <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/how-to-value-shares/pe-ratio/">price-to-earnings</a> (P/E) ratio of 12.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oxford-nanopore">Oxford Nanopore </h2>



<p>Another mid-cap stock getting favourable institutional attention is <strong>Oxford Nanopore Technologies</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-ont/">LSE:ONT</a>). It recently attracted an Outperform rating from RBC Capital Markets, with a new higher price target of 280p, up from 250p.</p>



<p>This is 65% above the current share price, which is up 32% year to date, even after falling 20% in the past month.  </p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Oxford Nanopore Technologies Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:ONT" data-range="5y" data-start-date="2021-09-30" data-end-date="2025-09-13" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<p>Oxford Nanopore makes innovative DNA and RNA sequencing devices. In the first half, revenue rose 28% at constant currency to £105.6m, ahead of expectations. There was broad-based growth across all geographies, including the key US market (+17%). </p>



<p>I like the firm and its ongoing growth story. However, the main problem I have is that Oxford Nanopore&#8217;s still loss-making after almost four years of being public. It reported a loss of £71.8 in the first half, only slightly less than the year before (£74.7m).</p>



<p>Looking ahead however, the firm&#8217;s still on track to reach adjusted EBITDA breakeven in FY27, and be <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/understanding-company-accounts/the-cash-flow-statement/">cash flow</a> positive by FY28. If it can achieve that, and then start delivering real profitable growth, the stock should do very well.</p>



<p>But there are &#8216;ifs&#8217; here, which add risk, while the firm&#8217;s also searching for a new CEO. Co-founder Gordon Sanghera will step down by the end of 2026, after more than 20 years in the role.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-which-do-i-prefer">Which do I prefer?</h2>



<p>Personally, I&#8217;m not looking to buy either stock. But Trainline might be one for investors to check out. It&#8217;s already profitable and appears to be undervalued, notwithstanding the risks around rail nationalisation. </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/09/13/forecast-these-ftse-250-stocks-could-surge-59-and-65-by-2026/">Forecast: these FTSE 250 stocks could surge 59% and 65% by 2026</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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                                <title>Is this the FTSE 250’s best ‘unicorn’ stock?</title>
                <link>https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/08/26/is-this-the-ftse-250s-best-unicorn-stock/</link>
                                <pubDate>Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:47:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[John Fieldsend]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Growth Shares]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.fool.co.uk/?p=1566781</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>The London Stock Exchange isn’t packed to the brim with what some call ‘unicorn’ stocks, but this FTSE 250 biotech firm looks highly interesting.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/08/26/is-this-the-ftse-250s-best-unicorn-stock/">Is this the FTSE 250’s best ‘unicorn’ stock?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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<p>The UK is not taking advantage of some very favourable business conditions. This is one of the biggest complaints about the modern state of the country. We have world-leading research hubs, three of the global top 10 universities, and the ability to attract the best talent. And where has it got us? Where are our dominant tech firms? Why aren’t the <strong>FTSE 100</strong> and <strong>FTSE 250</strong> bursting at the seams with market-disrupting startups? </p>



<p>Our country’s under-representation in breakout companies makes for valid criticism. But a few do sneak past the challenging investment and regulatory hurdles and acquire that fabled ‘unicorn’ status &#8212; reaching $1bn in market cap. One example is exciting biotech firm <strong>Oxford Nanopore</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-ont/">LSE: ONT</a>). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sequencing">Sequencing</h2>



<p>So, what does the company do? And is it worth investing in? The name gives much of the game away. Oxford Nanopore was spun out of Oxford University in 2005. The company uses nanopore technology to sequence DNA and RNA. </p>



<p>Anyone who took GCSE biology knows DNA is a long string of letters (A, T, G, and C). These can be read to derive the properties of living things. </p>



<p>Well, the nanopore is a handheld device that allows DNA to be sequenced (or read) quickly and easily. This genetic material reading technology has use cases in health and industry. </p>



<p>Among the many descriptions given in Oxford Nanopore’s investor information, the following quote struck me as an obvious example of where their sequencing devices might come in handy: <em>“What are the differences between these tomato crops? How can we breed better varieties, that are more productive, long lasting or taste better? How can we apply this knowledge to a variety of plants from cereals to flowers?”</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-buy">A buy?</h2>



<p>Sadly, a useful product does not necessarily make a good company (or stock). A quick look at the numbers here tells a revealing story. Oxford Nanpore offered its shares at IPO at 615p. An initial flurry of activity spurred the shares up to a high of 710p before collapsing after that to a low of below a pound. Early investors have watched their holdings drop 66%. </p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Oxford Nanopore Technologies Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:ONT" data-range="5y" data-start-date="" data-end-date="" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<p>What happened here? Well, the company has posted <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/understanding-company-accounts/the-profit-and-loss-account/">losses</a> in every year since IPO and revenue has stagnated too. Without a clear path to profitability or even growing sales, an early-stage growth stock does not look like the most attractive investment to me. </p>



<p>The most promising outcome from here looks to be a rumoured takeover from a larger US firm (hey, I’ve heard that one before!). This rumour has propelled the shares to double since March. A premium paid in a takeover deal makes for a nice short-term bump, but as a <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/getting-started-in-investing/foolish-investing-taking-the-long-term-approach/">long-term</a> investor I think I’ll be steering clear.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/08/26/is-this-the-ftse-250s-best-unicorn-stock/">Is this the FTSE 250’s best ‘unicorn’ stock?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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                                <title>Up 20%! Here&#8217;s why Oxford Nanopore stock topped the FTSE 250 today</title>
                <link>https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/07/21/up-20-heres-why-oxford-nanopore-stock-topped-the-ftse-250-today/</link>
                                <pubDate>Mon, 21 Jul 2025 14:59:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ben McPoland]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Market Movers]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.fool.co.uk/?p=1549815</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>This under-the-radar growth stock in the FTSE 250 index just jumped to a 52-week high. Can it keep climbing higher from here? </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/07/21/up-20-heres-why-oxford-nanopore-stock-topped-the-ftse-250-today/">Up 20%! Here&#8217;s why Oxford Nanopore stock topped the FTSE 250 today</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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<p><strong>Oxford Nanopore Technologies </strong>(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-ont/">LSE: ONT</a>) was easily the best-performing stock in the <strong>FTSE 250</strong> today (21 July). It soared 20% to reach 176p, the highest it has been since the start of 2024. </p>



<p>The one-year return now stands at around 50%. However, there&#8217;s still a long way to go to reclaim 710p, the level it hit in December 2021, soon after the firm went public. </p>



<p>Let&#8217;s take a closer look at what&#8217;s going on.</p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Oxford Nanopore Technologies Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:ONT" data-range="5y" data-start-date="2021-09-30" data-end-date="2025-07-21" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-encouraging-investor-update">Encouraging investor update </h2>



<p>Oxford Nanopore has developed a revolutionary DNA and RNA sequencing technology known as nanopore sequencing. This enables the real-time sequencing of extremely long fragments of genetic material, which is a major improvement over older technologies.</p>



<p>The news that sent investors scrambling for the buy button today was a half-year update released by the innovative company. For the six months to 30 June, it expects to log revenue of £105m, up 25% year on year (and 28% on a constant currency basis).&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to my data provider, that was 5% higher than what was expected (£100m). Management said growth was strongest across its PromethION product range, where revenue jumped by approximately 59%.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This is encouraging because PromethION is Oxford Nanopore’s high-throughput benchtop sequencing device. It’s built for organisations like hospitals and pharma firms. These tend to run large volumes of sequencing, which means they go through consumables such as flow cells more regularly.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-razor-and-blades">Razor and blades</h2>



<p>As more devices are sold and used, this should directly benefit the company&#8217;s recurring revenue. In other words, Oxford Nanopore is operating the classic razor-and-blade model, where the sequencer (razor) needs a constant flow of consumables (the blades).&nbsp;</p>



<p>I was thinking how powerful this model can be recently in <strong>Tesco</strong>, as I forked out a small fortune for a handful of Gillette ProGlide blades. The reason I did so is because I’ve tried the competition and they don’t come close (at least for my face).&nbsp;</p>



<p>So it’s a great sign for shareholders that customers are loving the PromethION platform.&nbsp;Another encouraging thing was that revenue in the Americas jumped by 17%, despite ongoing uncertainty in the US research environment.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The US is a key market because it&#8217;s home to many of the world’s largest pharma and biotech firms. It also leads in clinical trials and genomic research, all of which drive demand for sequencing.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-progress-towards-profits">Progress towards profits </h2>



<p>The main risk here is that Oxford Nanopore is still loss-making, and only expects to become <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/understanding-company-accounts/the-cash-flow-statement/">cash flow</a> positive by 2028. </p>



<p>In the period, it said it made &#8220;<em>progress on its path to profitability, delivering a reduction in the adjusted <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/how-to-value-shares/what-is-ebitda/">EBITDA</a> loss, supported by disciplined cost management and gross profit growth</em>&#8220;.</p>



<p>Investors could quickly sour on the stock if this progress towards profitability goes off track. Meanwhile, the research funding environment in the US remains a bit of a wildcard. </p>



<p>Finally, the <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/how-to-value-shares/price-to-sales-ratio/">price-to-sales ratio</a> is 9, which is quite high. This makes a mockery of the idea that tech firms can&#8217;t command solid valuations in London.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-foolish-takeaway">Foolish takeaway</h2>



<p>Can Oxford Nanopore stock keep motoring higher? I think it can, as long as the firm turns in a decent second half. </p>



<p>Therefore, long-term investors might want to consider this growth stock at 176p. But they will have to buckle up for a bumpy ride and be patient for profits. </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/07/21/up-20-heres-why-oxford-nanopore-stock-topped-the-ftse-250-today/">Up 20%! Here&#8217;s why Oxford Nanopore stock topped the FTSE 250 today</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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                                <title>1 FTSE 250 stock that analysts are calling a ‘Strong Buy’</title>
                <link>https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/04/11/1-ftse-250-stock-that-analysts-are-calling-a-strong-buy/</link>
                                <pubDate>Fri, 11 Apr 2025 14:33:53 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dr. James Fox]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Growth Shares]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.fool.co.uk/?p=1499843</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>The FTSE 250 can be overlooked by investors, but analysts believe this stock in particular could be undervalued by as much as 69%. Dr James Fox explores. </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/04/11/1-ftse-250-stock-that-analysts-are-calling-a-strong-buy/">1 FTSE 250 stock that analysts are calling a ‘Strong Buy’</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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<p><strong>Oxford Nanopore Technologies</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-ont/">LSE:ONT</a>) is an exciting <strong>FTSE 250</strong> stock and is massively undervalued according to analysts. However, despite its groundbreaking technology and recent collaborations, the stock has slumped. Unlike many of its peers, the slump actually has very little to do with Donald Trump’s tariffs. </p>



<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Oxford Nanopore Technologies Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:ONT" data-range="5y" data-start-date="" data-end-date="" data-comparison-value=""></div>




<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-dna-pioneer">A DNA pioneer </h2>



<p>For those unfamiliar, Oxford Nanopore is a pioneer in third-generation <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/market-sectors/investing-in-biotech-stocks-in-the-uk/">DNA sequencing technology</a>. The company’s devices use nanopores — these are tiny protein-based structures — to sequence DNA or RNA in real time by detecting electrical changes as molecules pass through these pores. This technology is all available on handheld devices. </p>



<p>Its technology is used across multiple fields, ranging from infectious disease analysis to genomic surveillance in remote locations. For instance, its devices were used during the Ebola outbreak in 2015 to sequence viral genomes rapidly.  </p>



<p>However, things haven’t gone to plan since listing in late 2021. Oxford Nanopore&#8217;s share price has plummeted by over 80%, reducing its market capitalisation to over £1bn. This dramatic decline stems from a combination of factors, including persistent losses, heightened competition, and macroeconomic challenges such as rising interest rates. Analysts have also flagged concerns about slower-than-expected growth and a worsening funding environment. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-analysts-call-this-a-strong-buy">Analysts call this a ‘Strong Buy’</h2>



<p>Despite the collapsing share price, analysts seem remarkably bullish. Of the 10 analysts covering the stock, four have Buy ratings and four have Outperform ratings. What’s more, the average share price target is now 69% higher than the current share price. This is typically a good sign. Incidentally, the highest share price target is 138% above where we are today.</p>



<p>However, shrewd investors will need to question this call. The company’s operating loss has nearly doubled to £152m since 2019, and the forecast suggests it won’t reach adjusted <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/how-to-value-shares/what-is-ebitda/">EBITDA</a> breakeven until 2027. For 2025, analysts expected negative earnings per share (EPS) of 15.9p. That’s not insignificant for stock valued at 114p per share. </p>



<p>The saving grace is the net cash position which currently stands at £292m and is set to fall to £158m by the end of 2026 based on the forecast. That means it does have some runway until its long-awaited profitability. </p>



<p>Of course, it may not reach profitability in its current state. Ongoing losses and a falling share price have made the stock vulnerable, with some suggesting it could become a takeover target for larger players like <strong>Thermo Fisher Scientific</strong> or <strong>Danaher</strong>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-bottom-line">The bottom line</h2>



<p>On 9 April 2025, Oxford Nanopore announced a strategic collaboration with Cepheid to develop automated sequencing solutions for infectious diseases. The could expand into other areas like cancer diagnostics and human genetics, potentially opening new revenue streams.</p>



<p>However, investors should be wary that Oxford Nanopore is a classic high-risk, high-reward investment. Its innovative technology and strategic collaborations position it well for future growth, but I’m reluctant to throw my own money behind it. Nonetheless, I’ll continue to keep a close eye on developments. </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/04/11/1-ftse-250-stock-that-analysts-are-calling-a-strong-buy/">1 FTSE 250 stock that analysts are calling a ‘Strong Buy’</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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                                <title>Down 83%! This FTSE 250 firm could now be a stock market takeover target</title>
                <link>https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/03/25/down-83-this-ftse-250-firm-could-now-be-a-stock-market-takeover-target/</link>
                                <pubDate>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 05:35:52 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ben McPoland]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Growth Shares]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.fool.co.uk/?p=1489141</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>After a serious stock market slump, the boss of this FTSE 250 biotech company has reportedly highlighted its takeover exposure.  </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/03/25/down-83-this-ftse-250-firm-could-now-be-a-stock-market-takeover-target/">Down 83%! This FTSE 250 firm could now be a stock market takeover target</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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<p>It&#8217;s been a torrid few years for shareholders of <strong>Oxford Nanopore Technologies</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-ont/">LSE: ONT</a>). Since the biotech company listed on the UK stock market in late 2021, its share price has crashed by more than 80%.</p>



<p>This is sad to see as the <strong>FTSE 250</strong> firm&#8217;s founders had ambitions to build a homegrown British giant in the healthcare space. </p>



<p>The sharp fall means Oxford Nanopore&#8217;s <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/getting-started-in-investing/what-is-market-cap/">market cap</a> now stands at just under £1bn &#8212; hardly the status of a giant!</p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Oxford Nanopore Technologies Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:ONT" data-range="5y" data-start-date="2021-09-30" data-end-date="2025-03-25" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-acquisition-target">Acquisition target</h2>



<p>For those unfamiliar, Oxford Nanopore’s devices enable gene sequencing on handheld devices. It pioneered nanopore technology, which reads DNA or RNA in real time by detecting electrical changes as molecules pass through tiny pores.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The stock market slide leaves it open to potential <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/understanding-the-market/takeovers-and-mergers/">takeover bids</a>, the firm&#8217;s co-founder and CEO Gordon Sanghera recently told the <em>Financial Times</em>. Especially as his anti-takeover share &#8212; a golden share allowing him to fend off bidders for three years after the IPO &#8212; has lapsed.</p>



<p>The <em>FT</em> mentioned that the company might be an attractive target for large US diagnostics specialists like <strong>Danaher </strong>or <strong>Thermo Fisher Scientific</strong>.&nbsp;The latter&#8217;s market cap is about 158 times larger than Oxford Nanopore&#8217;s, so the UK biotech could be a tasty morsel.</p>



<p>I note that analysts&#8217; share price target is currently 174p, which is 67% above the current level. So it&#8217;s possible an acquisition could value the company significantly higher than today&#8217;s share price of 104p.</p>



<p>Of course, this is all just speculation. And I learned long ago not to invest on the basis of takeover potential alone. Yes, an acquisition may well happen, but it could be some time away and at a lower share price than I&#8217;d pay today.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plenty-of-risk">Plenty of risk</h2>



<p>To be fair, the company&#8217;s revenue growth has been strong, rising from £52m in 2019 to just over £183m last year. And management sees strong double-digit revenue growth continuing. So this is a definite positive here.</p>



<p>However, since 2019, the operating loss has nearly doubled to £152m. Therefore, Oxford Nanopore is still loss-making, and isn&#8217;t expecting to reach adjusted <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/how-to-value-shares/what-is-ebitda/">EBITDA</a> breakeven till 2027. </p>



<p>By then, it expects the gross margin to increase to at least 62%, up from 57.5% last year. Yet when the company will be reporting actual bottom-line profits is anyone&#8217;s guess at this point. This uncertainty around profitability is why I&#8217;ve never bought the stock. </p>



<p>Meanwhile, some analysts are flagging the possibility of slower-than-expected growth moving forward, which is a risk here. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-final-thoughts">Final thoughts </h2>



<p>A switch stateside for Oxford Nanopore was mooted a while back, I seem to remember. But would a US listing really help?</p>



<p>I&#8217;m not convinced it would, as the US market has hardly been supportive of loss-making firms recently. For example, shares of rival <strong>Pacific Biosciences of California</strong> have lost 97% of their value in four years. <strong>Illumina</strong> stock is down 81% over the same period. </p>



<p>Admittedly, Oxford Nanopore has been growing faster than those two. But the shares that have been doing well across the pond (as here) are all profitable. The desire to buy &#8216;jam-tomorrow&#8217; stocks while interest rates are high generally remains weak.</p>



<p>Therefore, I still have no desire to invest in the shares today.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/03/25/down-83-this-ftse-250-firm-could-now-be-a-stock-market-takeover-target/">Down 83%! This FTSE 250 firm could now be a stock market takeover target</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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                                <title>Here&#8217;s why Oxford Nanopore Technologies stock is up 15% in the FTSE 250</title>
                <link>https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/01/14/heres-why-oxford-nanopore-technologies-stock-is-up-15-in-the-ftse-250/</link>
                                <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jan 2025 10:32:38 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ben McPoland]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Growth Shares]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.fool.co.uk/?p=1449278</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>This innovative FTSE 250 stock has had a solid start to the year, rising 15% in just two days. Is it time I considered adding it to my portfolio?</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/01/14/heres-why-oxford-nanopore-technologies-stock-is-up-15-in-the-ftse-250/">Here&#8217;s why Oxford Nanopore Technologies stock is up 15% in the FTSE 250</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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<p><strong>Oxford Nanopore Technologies </strong>(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-ont/">LSE: ONT</a>) stock was the biggest riser in the <strong>FTSE 250</strong> index yesterday (13 January). Shares of the gene-sequencing firm rose 10% then another 5% today to reach 149p.</p>



<p>However, the stock is still down more than 75% since listing in late 2021. Here, I&#8217;ll take a look at what has caused the recent jump and assess whether it&#8217;s a good fit for my portfolio. </p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Oxford Nanopore Technologies Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:ONT" data-range="5y" data-start-date="2021-09-30" data-end-date="2025-01-14" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-encouraging-update">Encouraging update</h2>



<p>For those unfamiliar, Oxford Nanopore&nbsp;makes cutting-edge DNA/RNA sequencing devices that enable real-time analysis of genetic material. They&#8217;re used for scientific research across the healthcare and life sciences industries.</p>



<p>Yesterday, the firm released a full-year trading update. In this, we learnt that underlying revenue growth in the second half was approximately 34% at constant currency. This was an acceleration over the first half, enabling the company to achieve £183m in revenue, in line with market expectations.</p>



<p>That would represent year-on-year growth of 11% on a constant currency basis. That&#8217;s not bad considering the overall life sciences sector faced challenging conditions in 2024.</p>



<p>CEO Gordon Sanghera commented: &#8220;<em>Looking beyond 2025, our highly differentiated platform and deep innovation pipeline coupled with strengthened commercial and operational capabilities combined with a strong balance sheet, position us well to deliver long-term, sustainable, above-market growth</em>.&#8221;</p>



<p>Encouragingly, the gross margin is set to be slightly above the previously expected 57%. And management anticipates the gross margin reaching 62% by 2027, with revenue growing at a compound annual growth rate of more than 30% between 2024 and that date. It also reaffirmed a target of adjusted <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/how-to-value-shares/what-is-ebitda/">EBITDA</a> breakeven in 2027.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-profits-yet">No profits yet</h2>



<p>Of course, an ambition to reach adjusted EBITDA breakeven in two years indicates that the firm is still deeply unprofitable. Indeed, it doesn&#8217;t expect to become cash flow positive until at least 2028.</p>



<p>Clearly, the losses add risk to the investment case. And they almost certainly explain why the share price has struggled since late 2021 when the era of near-0% interest rates came to an end.</p>



<p>We won&#8217;t get the full-year earnings until 4 March. Looking at the forecasts though, I&#8217;m seeing losses above £100m for both last year and this one.</p>



<p>On the plus side, the firm ended 2024 with £403m in cash, so remains well-capitalised. It should be capable of becoming cash flow positive with the resources at hand. If it can do so, while hitting its revenue growth targets, the share price could end up much higher than today&#8217;s 149p.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-should-i-invest">Should I invest?</h2>



<p>Oxford Nanopore&#8217;s products are based on innovative technology and it appears to be taking market share during a challenging time. The more devices it sells, the more recurring revenue it gets from consumables and software services. </p>



<p>With a modest <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/getting-started-in-investing/what-is-market-cap/">market cap</a> of £1.4bn, the firm could become a takeover target. However, it can be dangerous to invest on the basis that a business might be acquired at a higher price. </p>



<p>Recently, I&#8217;ve made a hash of picking stocks in the healthcare sector. My holding in <strong>Moderna</strong> continues to take a battering (down another 16% yesterday), while medical device firm <strong>Creo Medical</strong> has unperformed too. Even <strong>Novo Nordisk</strong> is struggling lately.</p>



<p>With Oxford Nanopore stock trading at a premium 7.6 times sales, I&#8217;m going to give this one a miss for now.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2025/01/14/heres-why-oxford-nanopore-technologies-stock-is-up-15-in-the-ftse-250/">Here&#8217;s why Oxford Nanopore Technologies stock is up 15% in the FTSE 250</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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                                <title>After rising 43% in a month, is Oxford Nanopore now a top UK stock to buy?</title>
                <link>https://www.fool.co.uk/2024/07/24/after-rising-43-in-a-month-is-oxford-nanopore-now-a-top-uk-stock-to-buy/</link>
                                <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jul 2024 14:11:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ben McPoland]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Market Movers]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.fool.co.uk/?p=1341573</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Shares of Oxford Nanopore (LSE:ONT) have been surging recently. Is this a growth stock to buy for my portfolio after the firm's H1 results today?</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2024/07/24/after-rising-43-in-a-month-is-oxford-nanopore-now-a-top-uk-stock-to-buy/">After rising 43% in a month, is Oxford Nanopore now a top UK stock to buy?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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<p>I&#8217;ve been hunting for a UK growth stock to buy recently. These tend to be a bit cheaper than their US counterparts and I reckon they could get a decent boost once the Bank of England starts cutting rates. </p>



<p>Today (24 July), <strong>Oxford Nanopore Technologies</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://www.fool.co.uk/tickers/lse-ont/">LSE: ONT</a>) posted a half-year trading update. The stock responded positively, rising 4% to 125p. This takes its gains to an incredible 43% in just the past month! </p>



<p>Zooming further out though, the share price is still down 79% since the innovative firm went public in 2021. So, is this the UK stock I&#8217;ve been looking for? </p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Oxford Nanopore Technologies Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:ONT" data-range="5y" data-start-date="2021-10-01" data-end-date="2024-07-24" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-it-does">What it does </h2>



<p>Firstly, a quick explanation about the name. The &#8216;Oxford&#8217; part relates to it being spun out of Oxford University in 2005. The &#8216;Nanopore&#8217; bit refers to the company&#8217;s novel technology that reads DNA using tiny holes, or nanopores, embedded in a membrane.</p>



<p>The firm&#8217;s devices are used in over 100 countries to understand the biology of humans, plants, animals, bacteria, viruses, and diseases like cancer. Its pocket-sized MinION device weighs under 100g and plugs into a laptop via a USB cable. This allows real-time sequencing anywhere, even in remote locations like jungles.  </p>



<p>In 2023, over 2,800 research studies using Oxford Nanopore&#8217;s technology were published, reflecting its increasing importance across multiple fields. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-has-the-stock-struggled">Why has the stock struggled? </h2>



<p>So, if the company&#8217;s tech is so cutting-edge, why is the share price down 79% in less than three years? Well, the firm lost £154.5m last year, wider than £91m the year before. That was almost the same as it reported in annual revenue (£170m). Yikes!</p>



<p>It isn&#8217;t expecting to break even on an adjusted <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/how-to-value-shares/what-is-ebitda/">EBITDA</a> basis until the end of 2027. By that point, it reckons that its life science research tools (LSRT) gross margin will be 62%, up from 53.3% last year. Forecasts I&#8217;m looking at suggest revenue of £385m by 2027. So plenty of growth is expected here.</p>



<p>Unfortunately though, due to higher interest rates, the market is struggling to find the patience to wait that long for potential profits. Most loss-making growth stocks have plunged over the past two years.</p>



<p>Of course, investor sentiment is out of the company&#8217;s control. All it can do is continue to grow, innovate and stick to its medium-term schedule. And in H1, we saw evidence of progress.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-guidance-reaffirmed">Guidance reaffirmed</h2>



<p>For the six months ended 30 June, it expects to report revenue of approximately&nbsp;£84m, broadly flat year on year at constant currency. However, underlying LSRT revenue (which strips out prior revenue from Covid and a large genome project), grew by 12.4%. </p>



<p>Growth was strongest across its PromethION franchise (benchtop sequencers), while the launch of multiple new products&nbsp;is expected to drive near and medium-term growth. </p>



<p>For the full year, it expects underlying revenue growth of 20%-30%, despite a challenging macroeconomic backdrop. And it expects gross margin to be approximately 57%, while its medium-term (2027) guidance remains intact.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-my-decision">My decision </h2>



<p>The stock has a <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/investing-basics/how-to-value-shares/price-to-sales-ratio/">price-to-sales</a> (P/S) ratio of 6.2. That&#8217;s more than US rivals <strong>Illumina</strong> (4.1) and <strong>Pacific Biosciences of California</strong> (2.4). </p>



<p>Oxford Nanopore is growing faster than those, but the stock still looks pricey. So, while I love this innovative British tech firm, I&#8217;m going to continue watching its progress from the sidelines (for now). </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk/2024/07/24/after-rising-43-in-a-month-is-oxford-nanopore-now-a-top-uk-stock-to-buy/">After rising 43% in a month, is Oxford Nanopore now a top UK stock to buy?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.fool.co.uk">The Motley Fool UK</a>.</p>
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