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Agilent Technologies, Inc. (A), a key player in life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets, is valued at a $40.3 billion market cap. Born in 1999 from Hewlett-Packard, Agilent specializes in cutting-edge solutions like liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and genomics tools.
Its three segments - Life Sciences and Applied Markets; Diagnostics and Genomics; and Agilent CrossLab - deliver precision products and services globally. With a commitment to innovation, Agilent has become a trusted name in science and technology, serving researchers and industries alike from its Santa Clara headquarters.
Agilent Technologies comfortably sits in the "large-cap" club, a title reserved for companies valued at $10 billion or more, showcasing its strength and stability in the healthcare sector.
Its strategic acquisitions, like Sigsense Technologies, have only boosted its dominance, expanding its reach into life sciences and diagnostics. These moves aren’t just about growth—they're about securing Agilent’s role as a major player, pushing boundaries, and driving innovation in a sector where precision and progress are everything.espite Agilent’s strengths, the analytical and clinical laboratory technologies major has fallen 11.1% from its 52-week high of $155.35, which it hit on May 17. Shares of Agilent edged up just 3.8% over the past three months, underperforming the broader S&P 500 Healthcare Sector SPDR’s (XLV) 6% gains over the same time frame.
However, in the longer term, A leads with a 21.1% rise over the past 52 weeks, while XLV returned 17.9% over the same time frame. However, Agilent’s shares dipped marginally on a YTD basis, trailing behind XLV’s 14.2% gains in 2024.
To confirm the mixed price trend, Agilent’s shares have been trading above its 200-day moving average since last November with a few fluctuation, and above its 50-day moving average since mid-July.
Shares of Agilent Technologies edged up marginally after it released its Q3 earnings report on Aug. 21, which beat both Wall Street’s top and bottom-line estimates. This success was driven by strong demand for its medical tools and equipment used in clinical studies. Riding the wave of optimism, Agilent even boosted its full-year forecasts, citing increased public funding for its biotech clients.
Meanwhile, rival Bruker Corporation (BRKR) has lagged behind, with its stock rising just 3.2% over the past year.
Despite Agilent's struggles, analysts remain bullish. With a “Moderate Buy” consensus from the 16 analysts covering the stock and a mean price target of $147.20 suggesting only a 6.6% premium from current levels, there’s cautious optimism for what’s next.
On the date of publication, Sristi Jayaswal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
