Ceredex Value Advisors LLC Makes New $24.39 Million Investment in Agilent Technologies, Inc. $A

Key Points

• Ceredex Value Advisors acquired a new stake in Agilent of 190,000 shares worth about $24.39 million, representing roughly 0.07% of the company at quarter-end.
• Agilent agreed to an all-cash acquisition of Biocare Medical for $950 million to boost its diagnostics exposure — a strategic, bolt-on move that analysts say could be accretive but introduces cash and integration risks.
• Agilent slightly missed Q1 EPS ($1.36 vs. $1.37 expected) on $1.80 billion revenue (+7% YoY), set FY26 EPS guidance of 5.900–6.040, and announced a quarterly dividend of $0.255 (0.9% yield).

Ceredex Value Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A - Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 190,000 shares of the medical research company's stock, valued at approximately $24,386,000. Ceredex Value Advisors LLC owned 0.07% of Agilent Technologies at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of A. Capital A Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Agilent Technologies by 10,600.0% in the 2nd quarter. Capital A Wealth Management LLC now owns 214 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 212 shares during the period. Davis Capital Management bought a new position in shares of Agilent Technologies during the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Agilent Technologies by 490.0% during the third quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 236 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 196 shares during the last quarter. State of Wyoming acquired a new position in shares of Agilent Technologies during the second quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, SJS Investment Consulting Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Agilent Technologies by 2,836.4% in the third quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 323 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 312 shares during the period.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A has been the topic of several research reports. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on Agilent Technologies from $180.00 to $160.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, March 3rd. Citigroup raised their price objective on Agilent Technologies from $165.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. HSBC assumed coverage on Agilent Technologies in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. They set a "buy" rating and a $180.00 price objective on the stock. UBS Group cut their target price on Agilent Technologies from $180.00 to $165.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 26th. Finally, TD Cowen reduced their target price on Agilent Technologies from $170.00 to $157.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 26th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $161.20.

Agilent Technologies Stock Up 1.3%

Shares of NYSE:A opened at $116.57 on Tuesday. The company's fifty day moving average is $132.22 and its 200-day moving average is $136.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a current ratio of 2.07. Agilent Technologies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $96.43 and a 52 week high of $160.27. The company has a market capitalization of $32.94 billion, a PE ratio of 25.73, a P/E/G ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 1.31.

Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The medical research company reported $1.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.37 by ($0.01). Agilent Technologies had a return on equity of 24.49% and a net margin of 18.26%.The firm had revenue of $1.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.81 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.31 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 7.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Agilent Technologies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.900-6.040 EPS and its Q2 2026 guidance at 1.390-1.420 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Agilent Technologies, Inc. will post 5.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Agilent Technologies Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 22nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 31st will be issued a dividend of $0.255 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 31st. This represents a $1.02 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. Agilent Technologies's dividend payout ratio is currently 22.52%.

Trending Headlines about Agilent Technologies

Here are the key news stories impacting Agilent Technologies this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Deal strengthens diagnostics/clinical pathology exposure — Biocare is a global leader in IHC/ISH/FISH reagents and consumables, giving Agilent a complementary product set and recurring-revenue mix that can boost long-term growth in its diagnostics segment. Agilent to Acquire Biocare Medical, a Global Leader in Clinical and Research Pathology Solutions
• Positive Sentiment: Strategic, bolt-on M&A at scale — $950M is modest versus Agilent’s ~$33B market cap and could be earnings-accretive over time if integration and cross‑sell succeed. Analysts see this as a targeted expansion of addressable market. Agilent to acquire Biocare Medical in $950 million all-cash deal
• Neutral Sentiment: Transaction structure and sellers — deal is all-cash and agreed with private equity owners Excellere Partners and GHO Capital; closing remains subject to customary conditions. This clarifies counterparties but not timing. Excellere Partners and GHO Capital Sell Biocare Medical to Agilent Technologies
• Neutral Sentiment: Mixed market signals — several outlets note an immediate positive headline reaction (shares rising on the deal) while others highlight muted enthusiasm; expect short-term volatility as investors weigh strategic benefits vs. recent results. Agilent stock rises on $950M Biocare Medical acquisition
• Negative Sentiment: Acquisition fails to offset recent earnings miss — Agilent’s Q1 slightly missed estimates (EPS $1.36 vs $1.37) and its FY26 guidance was modest; some coverage says the buyout didn’t restore investor confidence, producing premarket weakness. Agilent stock slips premarket: $950M Biocare buyout fails to lift investor sentiment after Q1 miss
• Negative Sentiment: Cash outlay and integration risk — the all-cash purchase reduces liquidity and introduces integration/execution risk; near-term margin or leverage pressure is a possible headwind until synergies are realized. Agilent Buys Medical Instruments Maker Biocare for $950 Million

Agilent Technologies Profile

Agilent Technologies is a global provider of scientific instrumentation, consumables, software and services for laboratories across the life sciences, diagnostics and applied chemical markets. The company's product portfolio includes analytical instruments such as liquid and gas chromatographs, mass spectrometers, spectroscopy systems, and laboratory automation solutions, together with reagents, supplies and informatics tools that support measurement, testing and data analysis workflows. Agilent also offers instrument maintenance, qualification and laboratory services designed to help customers improve productivity and comply with regulatory requirements.

Founded as a corporate spin-off from Hewlett‑Packard in 1999, Agilent has evolved through a combination of strategic restructuring and acquisitions to concentrate on life sciences, diagnostics and applied laboratories.

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