Traders Purchase Large Volume of Agilent Technologies Put Options (NYSE:A)

Key Points

• Put-option activity surged: Investors purchased 3,743 Agilent Technologies put options, 157% above the typical volume of 1,458, signaling increased hedging or bearish interest.
• Agilent reported strong quarterly results: Earnings of $1.62 per share and revenue of $1.88 billion exceeded analyst expectations, while revenue rose 8.1% year over year. The company issued fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of $6.18–$6.21.
• Analyst sentiment remains positive: Agilent has a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating and an average price target of $170.33, above its reported trading price of $151.46; institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.41% of the stock.

Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A - Get Free Report) was the recipient of some unusual options trading on Wednesday. Investors purchased 3,743 put options on the company. This is an increase of 157% compared to the typical volume of 1,458 put options.

Institutional Trading of Agilent Technologies

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. SHP Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Agilent Technologies in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Core Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Agilent Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Navalign LLC purchased a new position in Agilent Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Markowski Investments acquired a new position in Agilent Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, MV Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in Agilent Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. 87.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Agilent Technologies Stock Performance

NYSE:A traded up $1.53 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $151.46. 443,726 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,240,150. The firm has a market capitalization of $42.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.82, a P/E/G ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a 50-day moving average of $141.31 and a 200 day moving average of $127.36. The company has a quick ratio of 1.56, a current ratio of 2.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. Agilent Technologies has a 1-year low of $108.35 and a 1-year high of $163.75.

Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 26th. The medical research company reported $1.62 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.49 by $0.13. Agilent Technologies had a net margin of 19.53% and a return on equity of 24.45%. The company had revenue of $1.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.84 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.37 earnings per share. Agilent Technologies's quarterly revenue was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. Agilent Technologies has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 1.710-1.740 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 6.180-6.210 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Agilent Technologies will post 6.2 EPS for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on A. Robert W. Baird boosted their price objective on shares of Agilent Technologies from $155.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 26th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Agilent Technologies from $160.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 12th. Wolfe Research reissued a "hold" rating on shares of Agilent Technologies in a research report on Tuesday, June 2nd. Piper Sandler started coverage on shares of Agilent Technologies in a research note on Thursday, June 11th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $150.00 price objective for the company. Finally, TD Cowen raised their price objective on Agilent Technologies from $155.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, August 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $170.33.

About Agilent Technologies

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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