Allianz Asset Management GmbH Has $87.47 Million Holdings in Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A)

Allianz Asset Management GmbH grew its stake in Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A - Free Report) by 7.8% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 747,694 shares of the medical research company's stock after acquiring an additional 53,861 shares during the quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH owned 0.26% of Agilent Technologies worth $87,465,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of A. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Agilent Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $456,963,000. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in Agilent Technologies by 15,648.1% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 627,247 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $73,375,000 after purchasing an additional 623,264 shares in the last quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP increased its stake in Agilent Technologies by 345.9% during the 4th quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 769,897 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $103,428,000 after purchasing an additional 597,249 shares in the last quarter. Iron Triangle Partners LP bought a new stake in Agilent Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $80,110,000. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP increased its stake in Agilent Technologies by 280.3% during the 4th quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 806,895 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $108,398,000 after purchasing an additional 594,744 shares in the last quarter.

Insider Buying and Selling at Agilent Technologies

In other news, CEO Padraig Mcdonnell sold 1,508 shares of Agilent Technologies stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.44, for a total transaction of $177,099.52. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 37,448 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,397,893.12. This trade represents a 3.87% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink.

Agilent Technologies Stock Performance

A stock traded down $0.27 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $120.09. 787,584 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,036,885. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 2.09 and a quick ratio of 1.60. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $116.32 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $121.67. Agilent Technologies, Inc. has a one year low of $96.43 and a one year high of $153.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $34.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.62 and a beta of 1.23.

Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 28th. The medical research company reported $1.31 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.26 by $0.05. Agilent Technologies had a net margin of 17.59% and a return on equity of 25.92%. The firm had revenue of $1.67 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.63 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.22 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Agilent Technologies, Inc. will post 5.58 EPS for the current year.

Agilent Technologies Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 23rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, July 1st were issued a dividend of $0.248 per share. This represents a $0.99 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.83%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, July 1st. Agilent Technologies's dividend payout ratio is currently 24.44%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. UBS Group reduced their price target on Agilent Technologies from $150.00 to $130.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, May 29th. Evercore ISI upped their price target on Agilent Technologies from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an "in-line" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 8th. Barclays upped their price target on Agilent Technologies from $115.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 24th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on Agilent Technologies from $135.00 to $116.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 21st. Finally, Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on Agilent Technologies from $159.00 to $140.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $139.77.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies, Inc provides application focused solutions to the life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Life Sciences and Applied Markets, Diagnostics and Genomics, and Agilent CrossLab. The Life Sciences and Applied Markets segment offers liquid chromatography systems and components; liquid chromatography mass spectrometry systems; gas chromatography systems and components; gas chromatography mass spectrometry systems; inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry instruments; atomic absorption instruments; microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry instruments; inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry instruments; raman spectroscopy; cell analysis plate based assays; flow cytometer; real-time cell analyzer; cell imaging systems; microplate reader; laboratory software; information management and analytics; laboratory automation and robotic systems; dissolution testing; and vacuum pumps, and measurement technologies.