Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A) Reaches New 12-Month High on Strong Earnings

Key Points

• Agilent beat quarterly expectations: Third-quarter revenue rose 8.1% year over year to $1.88 billion, while adjusted EPS reached $1.62 versus the $1.49 consensus estimate.
• Full-year outlook increased: Management raised fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to $6.18–$6.21, citing improving demand for laboratory research and drug-development tools.
• Shares reached a 52-week high: The stock traded as high as $163.75, though its valuation near 32 times earnings may leave limited room for disappointing results; analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus.

Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Thursday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. The company traded as high as $163.75 and last traded at $158.9040, with a volume of 410110 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $155.08.

The medical research company reported $1.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.49 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $1.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.84 billion. Agilent Technologies had a net margin of 19.55% and a return on equity of 24.33%. The business's revenue was up 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.37 earnings per share. 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.

Trending Headlines about Agilent Technologies

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

• Positive Sentiment: Agilent reported third-quarter revenue of $1.88 billion, up 8.1% year over year and above the $1.84 billion consensus estimate. Adjusted EPS was $1.62, ahead of the $1.49 analyst expectation and up from $1.37 a year earlier. GAAP net income increased to $362 million, or $1.28 per share. Agilent Reports Third-Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Results
• Positive Sentiment: Management raised fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to $6.18-$6.21, above the $6.06 consensus, and expects approximately $7.5 billion in revenue. The improved outlook reflects better demand for tools used in laboratory research, drug development and related applications. Agilent raises annual profit forecast on improving lab tools demand
• Positive Sentiment: Results pointed to operating leverage, with operating profit reportedly rising faster than revenue and margins expanding. Cash flow was also strong, supporting Agilent’s financial flexibility and reinforcing the earnings-quality case. Agilent Technologies: Q3 Growth, Expanding Margins, And Raised Guidance
• Neutral Sentiment: Fourth-quarter adjusted EPS guidance of $1.71-$1.74 is centered around the analyst consensus, while expected revenue of approximately $2.0 billion is broadly in line. This suggests the main upside catalyst came from the third-quarter beat and full-year upgrade rather than a major near-term forecast increase. Agilent Boosts FY View on Higher 3Q Profit, Revenue
• Neutral Sentiment: Institutional ownership changes were mixed, and the shares’ elevated valuation—about 31 times earnings—leaves less room for disappointment despite the stronger outlook.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Wolfe Research reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of Agilent Technologies in a research report on Tuesday, June 2nd. Robert W. Baird boosted their price objective on Agilent Technologies from $155.00 to $156.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 26th. Piper Sandler started coverage on Agilent Technologies in a research note on Thursday, June 11th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $150.00 price objective on the stock. Weiss Ratings raised Agilent Technologies from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a report on Tuesday, June 2nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Agilent Technologies from $165.00 to $160.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, May 28th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $160.24.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Agilent Technologies

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. California State Teachers Retirement System boosted its stake in Agilent Technologies by 12,343.3% in the second quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 54,577,058 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $7,249,471,000 after acquiring an additional 54,138,451 shares during the period. State Street Corp raised its position in shares of Agilent Technologies by 1.9% during the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 12,681,792 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $1,725,611,000 after purchasing an additional 241,029 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Agilent Technologies by 2.7% in the 2nd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 7,454,686 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $990,206,000 after purchasing an additional 198,253 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Agilent Technologies by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 7,425,861 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $1,006,519,000 after purchasing an additional 25,139 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG boosted its position in Agilent Technologies by 17.1% during the 2nd quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 7,008,634 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $930,957,000 after purchasing an additional 1,024,516 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 87.41% of the company's stock.

Agilent Technologies Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $44.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.86, a P/E/G ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 1.25. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $139.16 and a 200 day moving average of $126.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a quick ratio of 1.62 and a current ratio of 2.10.

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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