Ionis Pharmaceuticals (MEX:IONS) Beneish M-Score: -1.28 (As of Jul. 01, 2026)


MEX:IONS Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc MEX:IONS
65 GF Score
Price MXN1,150.00
GF Value MXN782.91
! 8 Warning Signs
View Full Analysis

What is Ionis Pharmaceuticals Beneish M-Score?

Ionis Pharmaceuticals MEX:IONS 65 Beneish M-Score is -1.28 as of Jul. 01, 2026. GuruFocus rates MEX:IONS with a GF Score™ of 65/100 and a GF Value™ of MXN782.91. The stock has 8 warning signs investors should review. Among 829 Biotechnology companies, Ionis Pharmaceuticals ranks worse than 74.67% on this metric.

The zones of discrimination for M-Score is as such:

An M-Score of equal or less than -1.78 suggests that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator.
An M-Score of greater than -1.78 signals that the company is likely to be a manipulator.

Warning Sign:

Beneish M-Score -1.28 higher than -1.78, which implies that the company might have manipulated its financial results.

The historical rank and industry rank for Ionis Pharmaceuticals's Beneish M-Score or its related term are showing as below:

MEX:IONS' s Beneish M-Score Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: -4.95   Med: -2.53   Max: 24.02
Current: -1.28

During the past 13 years, the highest Beneish M-Score of Ionis Pharmaceuticals was 24.02. The lowest was -4.95. And the median was -2.53.


Ionis Pharmaceuticals Beneish M-Score Historical Data

* Premium members only.

The historical data trend for Ionis Pharmaceuticals's Beneish M-Score can be seen below:

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

Ionis Pharmaceuticals Beneish M-Score Chart

Ionis Pharmaceuticals Annual Data
Trend Dec16 Dec17 Dec18 Dec19 Dec20 Dec21 Dec22 Dec23 Dec24 Dec25
Beneish M-Score
Get a 7-Day Free Trial Premium Member Only Premium Member Only -2.75 -3.44 -0.66 -2.55 -2.86

Ionis Pharmaceuticals Quarterly Data
Jun21 Sep21 Dec21 Mar22 Jun22 Sep22 Dec22 Mar23 Jun23 Sep23 Dec23 Mar24 Jun24 Sep24 Dec24 Mar25 Jun25 Sep25 Dec25 Mar26
Beneish M-Score Get a 7-Day Free Trial Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only 4.20 -1.87 -2.18 -2.86 -1.28

MEX:IONS vs EXEL, BBIO, AXSM: Beneish M-Score Comparison

For the Biotechnology subindustry, Ionis Pharmaceuticals's Beneish M-Score, along with its competitors' market caps and Beneish M-Score data, can be viewed below:

* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.


Ionis Pharmaceuticals Beneish M-Score vs Biotechnology Industry

For the Biotechnology industry and Healthcare sector, Ionis Pharmaceuticals's Beneish M-Score distribution charts can be found below:

* The bar in red indicates where Ionis Pharmaceuticals's Beneish M-Score falls into.


MEX:IONS
65GF Score
Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc MEX:IONS
Beneish M-Score is just one metric. See GF Score™, valuation, warning signs, and more.
View Full Analysis

Ionis Pharmaceuticals Beneish M-Score Calculation

The M-score was created by Professor Messod Beneish. Instead of measuring the bankruptcy risk (Altman Z-Score) or business trend (Piotroski F-Score), M-score can be used to detect the risk of earnings manipulation. This is the original research paper on M-score.

The M-Score Variables:

The M-score of Ionis Pharmaceuticals for today is based on a combination of the following eight different indices:

M=-4.84+0.92 * DSRI+0.528 * GMI+0.404 * AQI+0.892 * SGI+0.115 * DEPI
=-4.84+0.92 * 1.1903+0.528 * 1.0017+0.404 * 0.8385+0.892 * 1.3742+0.115 * 1.194
-0.172 * SGAI+4.679 * TATA-0.327 * LVGI
-0.172 * 1.0705+4.679 * 0.134532-0.327 * 1.1417
=-1.44

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

This Year (Mar26) TTM:Last Year (Mar25) TTM:
Total Receivables was MXN1,329 Mil.
Revenue was 4437.685 + 3661.099 + 2874.885 + 8511.721 = MXN19,485 Mil.
Gross Profit was 4383.587 + 3517.828 + 2831.996 + 8433.561 = MXN19,167 Mil.
Total Current Assets was MXN52,961 Mil.
Total Assets was MXN62,212 Mil.
Property, Plant and Equipment(Net PPE) was MXN6,807 Mil.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization(DDA) was MXN452 Mil.
Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) was MXN8,538 Mil.
Total Current Liabilities was MXN12,922 Mil.
Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation was MXN29,005 Mil.
Net Income was -1668.53 + -4130.4 + -2359.174 + 2326.366 = MXN-5,832 Mil.
Non Operating Income was 858.555 + 166.211 + 989.725 + 121.957 = MXN2,136 Mil.
Cash Flow from Operations was -14296.667 + -2479.547 + -2411.107 + 2849.573 = MXN-16,338 Mil.
Total Receivables was MXN812 Mil.
Revenue was 2692.545 + 4725.401 + 2634.838 + 4126.603 = MXN14,179 Mil.
Gross Profit was 2661.857 + 4645.524 + 2613.749 + 4050.318 = MXN13,971 Mil.
Total Current Assets was MXN49,487 Mil.
Total Assets was MXN57,548 Mil.
Property, Plant and Equipment(Net PPE) was MXN5,364 Mil.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization(DDA) was MXN431 Mil.
Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) was MXN5,804 Mil.
Total Current Liabilities was MXN5,121 Mil.
Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation was MXN28,848 Mil.




1. DSRI = Days Sales in Receivables Index

Measured as the ratio of Revenue in Total Receivables in year t to year t-1.

A large increase in DSR could be indicative of revenue inflation.

DSRI=(Receivables_t / Revenue_t) / (Receivables_t-1 / Revenue_t-1)
=(1328.721 / 19485.39) / (812.334 / 14179.387)
=0.068191 / 0.05729
=1.1903

2. GMI = Gross Margin Index

Measured as the ratio of gross margin in year t-1 to gross margin in year t.

Gross margin has deteriorated when this index is above 1. A firm with poorer prospects is more likely to manipulate earnings.

GMI=GrossMargin_t-1 / GrossMargin_t
=(GrossProfit_t-1 / Revenue_t-1) / (GrossProfit_t / Revenue_t)
=(13971.448 / 14179.387) / (19166.972 / 19485.39)
=0.985335 / 0.983659
=1.0017

3. AQI = Asset Quality Index

AQI is the ratio of asset quality in year t to year t-1.

Asset quality is measured as the ratio of non-current assets other than Property, Plant and Equipment to Total Assets.

AQI=(1 - (CurrentAssets_t + PPE_t) / TotalAssets_t) / (1 - (CurrentAssets_t-1 + PPE_t-1) / TotalAssets_t-1)
=(1 - (52961.048 + 6806.713) / 62212.256) / (1 - (49486.995 + 5364.017) / 57547.853)
=0.039293 / 0.046863
=0.8385

4. SGI = Sales Growth Index

Ratio of Revenue in year t to sales in year t-1.

Sales growth is not itself a measure of manipulation. However, growth companies are likely to find themselves under pressure to manipulate in order to keep up appearances.

SGI=Sales_t / Sales_t-1
=Revenue_t / Revenue_t-1
=19485.39 / 14179.387
=1.3742

5. DEPI = Depreciation Index

Measured as the ratio of the rate of Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization in year t-1 to the corresponding rate in year t.

DEPI greater than 1 indicates that assets are being depreciated at a slower rate. This suggests that the firm might be revising useful asset life assumptions upwards, or adopting a new method that is income friendly.

DEPI=(Depreciation_t-1 / (Depreciaton_t-1 + PPE_t-1)) / (Depreciation_t / (Depreciaton_t + PPE_t))
=(430.627 / (430.627 + 5364.017)) / (451.75 / (451.75 + 6806.713))
=0.074315 / 0.062238
=1.194

Note: If the Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization data is not available, we assume that the depreciation rate is constant and set the Depreciation Index to 1.

6. SGAI = Sales, General and Administrative expenses Index

The ratio of Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) to Sales in year t relative to year t-1.

SGA expenses index > 1 means that the company is becoming less efficient in generate sales.

SGAI=(SGA_t / Sales_t) / (SGA_t-1 /Sales_t-1)
=(8538.105 / 19485.39) / (5803.909 / 14179.387)
=0.43818 / 0.40932
=1.0705

7. LVGI = Leverage Index

The ratio of total debt to Total Assets in year t relative to yeat t-1.

An LVGI > 1 indicates an increase in leverage

LVGI=((LTD_t + CurrentLiabilities_t) / TotalAssets_t) / ((LTD_t-1 + CurrentLiabilities_t-1) / TotalAssets_t-1)
=((29004.768 + 12922.071) / 62212.256) / ((28848.312 + 5120.544) / 57547.853)
=0.673932 / 0.590271
=1.1417

8. TATA = Total Accruals to Total Assets

Total accruals calculated as the change in working capital accounts other than cash less depreciation.

TATA=(IncomefromContinuingOperations_t - CashFlowsfromOperations_t) / TotalAssets_t
=(NetIncome_t - NonOperatingIncome_t - CashFlowsfromOperations_t) / TotalAssets_t
=(-5831.738 - 2136.448 - -16337.748) / 62212.256
=0.134532

An M-Score of equal or less than -1.78 suggests that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator. An M-Score of greater than -1.78 signals that the company is likely to be a manipulator.

Ionis Pharmaceuticals has a M-score of -1.44 signals that the company is likely to be a manipulator.

Frequently Asked Questions Learn more about Beneish M-Score →
What does a Beneish M-Score of -1.28 mean?
Ionis Pharmaceuticals (MEX:IONS) has a Beneish M-Score of -1.28 as of Jul. 01, 2026. The Beneish M-score measures the likelihood of earnings manipulation. View historical data on Ionis Pharmaceuticals and its competitors. According to the industry distribution chart, Ionis Pharmaceuticals ranks #619 out of 829 companies in the Biotechnology industry, placing it in the top 74.7%.
Is Ionis Pharmaceuticals' Beneish M-Score too high?
Ionis Pharmaceuticals' current Beneish M-Score is -1.28. Based on the distribution chart, Ionis Pharmaceuticals ranks #619 out of 829 companies in the Biotechnology industry, which is below the industry midpoint. Overall, Ionis Pharmaceuticals has a GF Score™ of 65/100, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Ionis Pharmaceuticals' Beneish M-Score compare to EXEL and BBIO?
According to the Biotechnology industry distribution chart, Ionis Pharmaceuticals ranks #619 out of 829 companies for Beneish M-Score. This places Ionis Pharmaceuticals in the lower half of its industry. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Beneish M-Score for a Biotechnology company?
A good Beneish M-Score depends on the Biotechnology industry context. However, Beneish M-Score should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Beneish M-Score mean?
A high Beneish M-Score can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. The Beneish M-score measures the likelihood of earnings manipulation. View historical data on Ionis Pharmaceuticals and its competitors. Ionis Pharmaceuticals's current Beneish M-Score is -1.28. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Ionis Pharmaceuticals stock overvalued right now?
Ionis Pharmaceuticals (MEX:IONS) has a current Beneish M-Score of -1.28. The stock's GF Value™ is MXN782.91, compared to a current price of MXN1,150.00 — trading 46.9% above its estimated fair value. The current Beneish M-Score is -1.28. Ionis Pharmaceuticals' overall GF Score™ is 65/100 with 8 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Beneish M-Score calculated?
Beneish M-Score is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Ionis Pharmaceuticals (MEX:IONS), the current Beneish M-Score is -1.28 as of Jul. 01, 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.

Is Ionis Pharmaceuticals (MEX:IONS) Overvalued in 2026?

Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Ionis Pharmaceuticals stock appears to be overvalued. The current stock price of MXN1,150.00 is trading 46.9% above its estimated GF Value™ of MXN782.91.

Key valuation signals for MEX:IONS:

  • Beneish M-Score: -1.28
  • GF Value™: MXN782.91 vs. price of MXN1,150.00 (46.9% above fair value)
  • GF Score™: 65/100 with 8 warning signs

No single metric tells the full story. See the MEX:IONS stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.


Ionis Pharmaceuticals Business Description

Address 2855 Gazelle Court, Carlsbad, CA, USA, 92010
Ionis Pharmaceuticals is the leading developer of antisense technology to discover and develop novel drugs. Its broad clinical and preclinical pipeline targets a wide variety of diseases, with an emphasis on cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, and rare diseases. Ionis and Biogen brought Spinraza to market in 2016 as a treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, and Biogen launched ALS drug Qalsody in 2023. Ionis brought two additional drugs to market via its cardiovascular-focused subsidiary Akcea, including ATTR amyloidosis drug Tegsedi (2018) and cardiology drug Waylivra (Europe, 2019). Ionis and AstraZeneca launched polyneuropathy drug Wainua in 2024. Ionis marked its first two independent launches in 2025 for Tryngolza (for FCS) and Dawnzera (for HAE).
65GF Score

Get the complete analysis for MEX:IONS

Beneish M-Score is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.

MXN1,150.00
Price
MXN782.91
GF Value