Vanguard Portfolio Management Adds $2B in Agilent Technologies, Inc. ($A)
Vanguard Portfolio Management acquired 14.35 million shares of Agilent Technologies, worth $1.97 billion.
Key Points
- Vanguard Portfolio Management opened a new position in Agilent Technologies, acquiring 14,352,682 shares valued at $1.97 billion.
- Shares of NYSE:A traded near $137.58 on Friday, with a market cap of $38.27 billion and a P/E ratio of 27.16.
- Insiders sold shares in May and June 2026, while analysts maintained favorable ratings with price targets ranging from $145 to $165.
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Vanguard Portfolio Management has taken a new stake in Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A), according to its latest Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 14,352,682 shares, valued at approximately $1.97 billion as of the reporting period ending May 8, 2026. This marks a significant new investment for Vanguard Portfolio Management.
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What Changed in Vanguard Portfolio Management's Agilent Technologies Position
Vanguard Portfolio Management initiated a new position in Agilent Technologies by purchasing 14,352,682 shares. This new stake is valued at around $1.97 billion, and the shares were acquired at a cost basis of $126.49 each.
Other Institutional Activity in Agilent Technologies
Other large investors have also been active in Agilent Technologies. BlackRock, Inc. increased its holdings by 33,738 shares, bringing its total to 25,902,662 shares worth about $2.95 billion, reflecting a modest 0.1% increase. Vanguard Capital Management LLC also opened a new position with 18,381,030 shares valued at roughly $2.10 billion. Meanwhile, State Street Corp added 82,840 shares, resulting in a total of 12,764,632 shares valued at approximately $1.46 billion, reflecting a 0.7% increase. Massachusetts Financial Services Co /MA/ reduced its position by 1,523,511 shares, now holding 12,624,090 shares worth $1.47 billion, a 10.8% decrease.
Agilent Technologies, Inc. Stock Down 10.6%
Shares of NYSE:A traded near $137.58 on Friday. Agilent Technologies boasts a market cap of about $38.27 billion and has a P/E ratio of 27.16, with a forward P/E of 20.49. The stock has seen a 52-week low of $108.35 and a high of $160.27. It has a 50-day moving average of $122.18 and a 200-day moving average of $130.49. The company's beta is 1.256, indicating a moderate level of volatility compared to the broader market.
$A stock price
Daily closing prices, year to date. Not investment advice.
Recent Earnings
Agilent Technologies reported revenues of $7.23 billion, with a growth of 10%. The company achieved a net margin of 19.55% and a return on equity of 21.33%. Its earnings per share (EPS) was $4.99. The next earnings report is scheduled for August 26, 2026.
Earnings drift grade
Outlook vs expectations on the last report — not price action.
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Forward outlook
5 target cuts vs 1 raises.
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EPS & revenue
EPS beat estimates by 3.8%. Revenue met estimates.
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Profit surprise
EBITDA missed by 4 percent. Operating income missed by 7 percent.
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Pre-earnings setup
Bar was high, analysts already very bullish.
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Analyst signal
1 upgrade, 1 target raise, 5 target cuts.
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Earnings quality
Gross margin up 3.1 points. Operating margin up 3.8 points. Positive free cash flow.
Earnings Call Summary
Agilent delivered a strong second quarter with $1.83 billion in revenue, up 6.3 percent core growth and beating guidance by 80 basis points. Earnings per share came in at $1.49, beating expectations by 7 cents and growing 14 percent year over year. Operating margin expanded 130 basis points to 26.4 percent, well ahead of guidance. The company is seeing robust momentum across its instrument business with double digit growth in LC LCMS and GC driven by replacement cycles and share gains. Diagnostics grew 11 percent led by the Omnis family and cancer offerings. Strategic pricing delivered over 200 basis points of contribution, exceeding the annual target of 100 basis points at midyear. Management credited the Ignite operating system for driving execution excellence and structural improvements.
Guidance Management raised full year revenue and earnings guidance. The company now expects $7.39 to $7.49 billion in annual revenue with core growth of 4.5 to 6.0 percent, up 30 basis points from prior guidance. Earnings per share guidance increased to $6.00 to $6.10, up 8 cents at the midpoint. For the third quarter, they forecast $1.83 to $1.85 billion in revenue with EPS of $1.48 to $1.50.
Clearly negative report. The company missed important expectations and likely triggers downward revisions.
Dividend
Agilent Technologies offers an annual dividend rate of $1.02, yielding 0.75%. The dividend payout ratio stands at 20.2%.
Insider Buying and Selling at Agilent Technologies, Inc.
Several insiders have sold shares recently. On June 3, 2026, CEO Padraig McDonnell sold 418 shares at an average price of $137.40. Mikael Dolsten sold 1,600 shares on May 29, 2026, at $135.42 each. Meanwhile, Senior Vice President Michael Steven Buckner purchased 8,872 shares on May 19, 2026, although the price was not specified.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
On June 11, 2026, Piper Sandler initiated coverage on Agilent Technologies with a 'hold' rating and a $150.00 price target. HSBC maintained its 'buy' rating on June 3, with a target of $165.00. B of A Securities also maintained a 'buy' rating on June 2, setting a $155.00 target. The consensus among analysts is a 'buy' recommendation, with a mean target price of $160.65 based on 17 opinions.
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, California, provides solutions for the life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets. The company operates through three segments: Life Sciences and Diagnostics Markets, Agilent CrossLab, and Applied Markets. Agilent offers a range of products and services, including chromatography systems, mass spectrometry, and software solutions, serving clients worldwide. Led by CEO Mr. Padraig McDonnell, Agilent employs about 18,000 people.
Bottom Line
Vanguard Portfolio Management's new position in Agilent Technologies highlights its interest in the diagnostics and research sector. Investors often track such filings to gauge institutional confidence and potential market moves. Remember, 13F filings provide a snapshot of past holdings and may not reflect current positions.
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