Should You Continue to Hold Veracyte Stock in Your Portfolio?

Core Insights - Veracyte (VCYT) is experiencing growth driven by its Afirma and Decipher tests, with expectations for continued expansion in the coming years [1][6] - The company has outperformed the industry and S&P 500, with a market capitalization of $2.48 billion and an earnings yield of 3.9% [2] - Despite strong performance, Veracyte faces challenges from declining biopharmaceutical revenues and macroeconomic factors [9][10] Afirma Test Performance - The Afirma solution has shown resilience, with over 16,300 tests delivered in Q4, an 8% year-over-year increase [3] - Revenue growth of 4% is attributed to deeper market penetration and new customer acquisitions [3] - A significant milestone was achieved with expanded Medicare reimbursement for Bethesda V thyroid nodules, leading to an 80% year-over-year revenue increase for these cases [4] Decipher Test Growth - The Decipher Prostate Cancer tests have seen substantial growth, with Q4 recording 22,400 tests, a 45% increase year-over-year [5] - The test is the only NCCN-recommended gene expression test for prostate cancer treatment decisions, enhancing its market position [5] - Recent approvals for metastatic assessment and New York State clearance are expected to further boost Decipher's growth [6] Long-Term Growth Strategies - Veracyte is focused on long-term growth through identifying medical needs, developing tests, and securing clinical evidence [7] - The NIGHTINGALE study for nasal swab diagnostics is progressing well, with over 85% of the target enrollment completed [7] - The company plans to launch its first MRD indication targeting muscle-invasive bladder cancer in the first half of 2026 [7] Financial Performance and Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Veracyte's 2025 earnings per share has increased by 34.8% to $1.24, with revenues projected at $488.7 million, a 9.6% rise from the previous year [11]