EXAS

Healthcare

Exact Sciences Corporation · Medical - Diagnostics & Research · $20B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
41.6
Below Average

Exact Sciences Corporation scores 41.6/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Healthcare Sector
EXAS
41.6
Sector avg
32.4
Quality
Weak
Moat
Neutral
Growth
Strong
Risk
Weak
Valuation
Elevated

What is Exact Sciences Corporation?

Exact Sciences Corporation is a cancer screening and diagnostics company best known for Cologuard, its non-invasive colorectal cancer screening test. Headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, the company serves patients across the United States and internationally.

Exact Sciences develops and commercializes tests designed to detect cancer earlier and guide treatment decisions. Revenue flows primarily from Cologuard, a stool-based DNA test for colorectal cancer screening, and from the Oncotype DX family of gene expression tests used in breast, prostate, and colon cancer care. The company also offers advanced tumor profiling tools for patients with rare or aggressive cancers, and maintains a pipeline focused on blood-based and fluid-based cancer detection.

Exact Sciences was incorporated in 1995 and established its current operational focus in 2001, building its base in Madison, Wisconsin.

  • Cologuard — non-invasive stool DNA colorectal cancer screening test
  • Oncotype DX — gene expression tests for breast, prostate, and colon cancers
  • Oncotype Test — tumor profiling for advanced or metastatic cancers
  • Oncomap ExTra — comprehensive profiling for rare or aggressive cancers
  • Oncotype DX AR-V7 Nucleus Detect — liquid-based advanced prostate cancer test

Is EXAS a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates EXAS as Below Average overall, reflecting a mixed profile where strong growth momentum is offset by meaningful weaknesses elsewhere.

The Growth pillar stands out as the clearest positive — Exact Sciences has expanded its revenue base at a pace that ranks well above many healthcare peers. The Moat pillar registers as Neutral, acknowledging the brand recognition Cologuard has built in colorectal screening and the proprietary nature of its diagnostic platforms.

Both the Quality and Risk pillars are rated Weak, pointing to profitability challenges and balance-sheet considerations that weigh on the overall score. The Valuation pillar is Elevated, suggesting the market has already priced in considerable optimism.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does EXAS pay dividends?

No — Exact Sciences Corporation does not currently pay a dividend.

Exact Sciences does not currently pay a dividend. For a company still investing heavily in commercial expansion, pipeline development, and achieving sustained profitability, retaining capital is the typical strategic choice. Income-focused investors should factor this into their assessment, while growth-oriented investors may view reinvestment as consistent with the company's stage.

When does EXAS report earnings?

Exact Sciences reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.

Revenue growth has been a recurring theme in recent quarters, driven by Cologuard volume and the Oncotype DX franchise. However, the path to consistent profitability remains a key area of focus for investors evaluating the durability of that growth.

For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Exact Sciences' investor relations page directly.

EXAS Price History

-5.1% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Exact Sciences Corporation?

$
Today it would be worth
$7,756
That's a -22.4% total return, or -5.0% annualized.

Based on Exact Sciences Corporation's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

EXAS Long-term Outlook

The Growth pillar's Strong rating suggests Exact Sciences is on a trajectory of meaningful top-line expansion, supported by rising adoption of Cologuard and broader penetration of its oncology testing portfolio. However, the Weak Risk and Quality ratings introduce uncertainty around whether that growth will translate into durable earnings power. The Elevated Valuation pillar indicates that much of the growth story may already be reflected in the current share price, leaving limited margin for execution shortfalls.

Growth drivers

  • Continued adoption of Cologuard as a mainstream colorectal cancer screening option
  • Expansion of the Oncotype DX franchise into new cancer types and geographies
  • Pipeline progress toward blood-based and multi-cancer early detection tests

Key risks

  • Sustained losses and balance-sheet pressure given the Weak Quality and Risk ratings
  • Elevated valuation leaving little room for growth disappointments
  • Competitive pressure from emerging liquid biopsy and multi-cancer screening platforms

EXAS vs Peers

Exact Sciences operates in a diagnostics landscape that includes both specialized genomics firms and large diversified testing providers.

WATEXAS scores lower
Waters Corporation

Waters focuses on analytical instruments and software used broadly in life sciences, rather than direct-to-patient cancer screening tests.

ILMNEXAS scores lower
Illumina, Inc.

Illumina provides the DNA sequencing technology that underpins much of the genomics diagnostics industry, positioning it as an upstream enabler rather than a direct screening provider.

DGXEXAS scores lower
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated

Quest operates a broad clinical laboratory network serving routine and specialty diagnostics, competing with Exact Sciences on test volume and physician access rather than proprietary cancer-specific platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Exact Sciences do?

Exact Sciences develops cancer screening and diagnostic tests. Its flagship product, Cologuard, screens for colorectal cancer non-invasively using a stool DNA test. The company also offers the Oncotype DX suite of gene expression tests to guide treatment decisions for breast, prostate, and colon cancer patients, along with advanced tumor profiling tools.

Does EXAS pay dividends?

Exact Sciences does not currently pay a dividend. The company is in an active investment phase, directing capital toward commercial growth and pipeline development. Investors seeking regular income should note this absence when evaluating EXAS against dividend-paying healthcare peers.

When does EXAS report earnings?

Exact Sciences follows a standard quarterly earnings cadence. Specific dates shift each cycle, so the most reliable source for upcoming report dates is the company's official investor relations page. Checking there directly ensures you have the confirmed schedule.

Is EXAS a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates EXAS as Below Average overall. Strong Growth is a genuine positive, but Weak Quality and Risk ratings alongside an Elevated Valuation create a more complicated picture. Whether that profile suits a given investor depends on individual goals and risk tolerance. The full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.

Is EXAS overvalued?

The UQS Valuation pillar for EXAS is rated Elevated, indicating the current price reflects a high degree of growth optimism relative to the company's fundamentals. Investors should weigh that premium against the execution risks flagged in the Risk and Quality pillars before drawing conclusions.

How does EXAS compare to its competitors?

Exact Sciences occupies a focused niche in cancer-specific screening, differentiating it from broad diagnostics providers like Quest Diagnostics and upstream technology suppliers like Illumina. Its proprietary test platforms give it a distinct commercial identity, though it faces growing competition from emerging liquid biopsy and multi-cancer detection technologies.

What is EXAS's market cap bracket?

Exact Sciences is classified as a large-cap company. This places it among the more substantial publicly traded healthcare diagnostics firms, though it remains smaller than the largest diversified laboratory and genomics conglomerates in the sector.

Who founded Exact Sciences?

Exact Sciences was incorporated in 1995. Founding and leadership history for the company is widely documented in public sources, including the company's own investor relations materials and financial filings, which provide the most accurate historical record.

Is EXAS a long-term quality indicator?

From a UQS framework perspective, EXAS shows a strong Growth profile but is held back by Weak Quality and Risk ratings — two pillars that matter significantly for long-term durability. Investors focused on long-term compounding typically look for strength across Quality and Moat pillars as well, which are not yet EXAS's strongest suits.

What is the main competitive advantage of Exact Sciences?

Cologuard's established brand recognition in colorectal cancer screening and its proprietary stool DNA technology represent the core of Exact Sciences' competitive position. Licensing relationships with the Mayo Foundation and Hologic further reinforce its scientific credibility. The UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Neutral — meaningful, but not yet a dominant structural barrier.

What sector does EXAS belong to?

Exact Sciences operates in the Healthcare sector, specifically within cancer diagnostics and molecular testing. It sits at the intersection of genomics, laboratory medicine, and preventive oncology — a segment that has attracted significant investment and competitive interest in recent years.

Is EXAS a growth stock or value stock?

Based on the UQS pillar profile, EXAS leans clearly toward the growth category. The Growth pillar is rated Strong, reflecting rapid revenue expansion. However, the Elevated Valuation pillar suggests investors are already paying a premium for that growth, which is a characteristic more common among high-growth names than traditional value opportunities.

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Pro Analysis

EXAS — Score History

35404550Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 2 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
Apr 20, 202641.620.046.080.529.430.3-1.1
Apr 2, 202642.720.046.080.529.437.9

EXAS — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

20.0/100 (25%)

Exact Sciences Corporation currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.

Capital Efficiency (ROIC)Weak

How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.

Return on EquityWeak

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityWeak

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityWeak

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Gross Profit / AssetsStrong

Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.

Cash GenerationWeak

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

80.5/100 (20%)

Exact Sciences Corporation is growing rapidly with strong revenue and earnings expansion.

Recent Revenue TrendModerate

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRModerate

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthStrong

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookStrong

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthStrong

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

29.4/100 (15%)

Exact Sciences Corporation presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.

Financial LeverageWeak

Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.

Debt/EquityModerate

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioModerate

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

30.3/100 (15%)

Exact Sciences Corporation appears expensively valued relative to its fundamentals and growth prospects.

Earnings YieldWeak

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

Price to Free Cash FlowWeak

How many years of FCF the market cap represents.

PEG RatioStrong

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorWeak

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

46/100 (25%)

Exact Sciences Corporation possesses some competitive advantages but faces meaningful competition. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for EXAS.

Score Composition

Quality
20.0×25%5.0
Growth
80.5×20%16.1
Risk
29.4×15%4.4
Valuation
30.3×15%4.5
Moat
46.0×25%11.5
Total
41.6Below Average

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the EXAS UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Exact Sciences Corporation is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses Exact Sciences Corporation's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether Exact Sciences Corporation is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.