Candriam S.C.A. Boosts Stake in Agilent Technologies, Inc. $A

Candriam S.C.A. increased its holdings in shares of Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A) by 26.7% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,157,090 shares of the medical research company’s stock after acquiring an additional 244,007 shares during the period. Agilent Technologies makes up approximately 0.7% of Candriam S.C.A.’s portfolio, making the stock its 27th biggest holding. Candriam S.C.A.’s holdings in Agilent Technologies were worth $131,885,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Core Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Agilent Technologies during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. SHP Wealth Management purchased a new stake in Agilent Technologies during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Board of the Pension Protection Fund acquired a new position in Agilent Technologies during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Navalign LLC purchased a new position in Agilent Technologies in the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. Finally, Cedar Mountain Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Agilent Technologies during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $27,000.

Agilent Technologies Price Performance

Agilent Technologies stock opened at $134.57 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $38.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.02, a P/E/G ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 1.25. Agilent Technologies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $108.35 and a 12-month high of $160.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 2.10 and a quick ratio of 1.62. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $125.75 and its two-hundred day moving average is $125.77.

Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 27th. The medical research company reported $1.49 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.41 by $0.08. Agilent Technologies had a net margin of 19.55% and a return on equity of 24.33%. The business had revenue of $1.83 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.80 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.31 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 10.0% on a year-over-year basis. Agilent Technologies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.000-6.100 EPS and its Q3 2026 guidance at 1.480-1.500 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Agilent Technologies, Inc. will post 6 earnings per share for the current year.

Agilent Technologies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 22nd. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 30th will be paid a $0.255 dividend. This represents a $1.02 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 30th. Agilent Technologies’s dividend payout ratio is presently 20.48%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently issued reports on A. Weiss Ratings raised Agilent Technologies from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Tuesday, June 2nd. TD Cowen upped their price target on shares of Agilent Technologies from $147.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, May 28th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Agilent Technologies from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, May 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada started coverage on Agilent Technologies in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $153.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Piper Sandler began coverage on Agilent Technologies in a research note on Thursday, June 11th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $150.00 target price on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $159.35.

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.