Agilent Technologies Inc. - A STOCK NEWS

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) has unveiled its next-generation Agilent InfinityLab LC Series portfolio, featuring the 1290 Infinity III LC, 1260 Infinity III Prime LC, and 1260 Infinity III LC systems. These are the first HPLC systems to incorporate the new Agilent InfinityLab Assist Technology, offering enhanced built-in system assistance capabilities.

The new LC systems significantly improve task automation, connectivity, predictive feedback, and error reduction. They include innovative built-in sample tracking with barcoding and camera technologies to eliminate sample mix-ups. The InfinityLab Assist automates instrument routines, simplifies sample preparation, assists with maintenance and troubleshooting, and provides context-sensitive help content.

The Infinity III LC Series also features method compatibility with earlier LC systems, seamless chromatography data systems integration, and third-party verification by My Green Lab's revised ACT 2.0 Ecolabel. They will be the first LC systems to provide their CO2 footprint to customers, demonstrating Agilent's commitment to environmental sustainability.

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) has announced that it will release its fourth-quarter fiscal year 2024 financial results after the stock market closes on Monday, Nov. 25. The company will also host a conference call to discuss the results at 1:30 p.m. PST on the same day.

Investors and interested parties can join the listen-only conference call webcast by clicking the link provided on the Events section of Agilent's investor relations website. For those unable to attend the live call, a recording will be available on the website for 90 days following the event.

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) has announced an upcoming Analyst and Investor Day scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at 10 a.m. ET in New York City. The event will feature presentations from key company leaders, including CEO Padraig McDonnell and CFO Bob McMahon, who will discuss:

• Agilent's strategy
• Business operations
• Long-term financial outlook

The event will conclude with a Q&A session. While attendance is by invitation only, a live webcast will be available through Agilent's Investor Relations website. A replay of the event will remain accessible for at least 60 days following the presentation.

H.I.G. Capital has announced the sale of its portfolio company, BIOVECTRA Inc., to Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: A) for $925 million. BIOVECTRA, a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) of active pharmaceutical ingredients and intermediates, is headquartered in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. The company has approximately 650 employees and eight facilities with over 270,000 square feet of space.

H.I.G. acquired BIOVECTRA in November 2019 and successfully established it as an independent organization. Under H.I.G.'s ownership, BIOVECTRA strengthened its executive management team, completed three major facility build-outs, and significantly grew its sales pipeline while focusing more on commercial products. These strategic initiatives resulted in an industry-leading growth profile and an outstanding outcome for shareholders.

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) has completed its acquisition of BIOVECTRA, a Canada-based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in biologics, highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients, and other molecules for targeted therapeutics. The acquisition, now part of Agilent's Diagnostics and Genomics Group, expands Agilent's portfolio of CDMO services and adds rapidly growing modalities to support gene editing.

Agilent CEO Padraig McDonnell emphasized the company's commitment to providing advanced capabilities for accelerating therapeutics programs. The transaction is expected to be $0.05 dilutive to non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) in the first full year after closing but is projected to deliver a double-digit return on invested capital (ROIC) by year five. Agilent funded the acquisition using a mix of cash on hand and debt financing.

Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) has announced a quarterly dividend of 23.6 cents per share of common stock. The dividend will be paid on October 23, 2024, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on October 1, 2024. This announcement demonstrates Agilent's commitment to returning value to shareholders through regular dividend payments. However, it's important to note that the timing and amounts of future dividends are subject to determination and approval by Agilent's board of directors, indicating potential flexibility in the company's dividend policy.

Politan Capital Management, an 8.9% shareholder of Masimo (NASDAQ: MASI), has issued an open letter to shareholders ahead of the company's 2024 Annual Meeting on September 19. The letter highlights the need for further change in Masimo's boardroom and refutes the company's defensive rhetoric. Politan urges shareholders to vote for its independent nominees, Darlene Solomon and William Jellison, on the WHITE card.

Key points from the letter include:

• Criticism of Masimo's board for lack of oversight and transparency
• Allegations of collusion between Masimo's CEO and RTW to manipulate voting
• Refutation of Masimo's claims about potential business disruption
• Defense against Masimo's accusations towards Politan
• Emphasis on the urgent need for change in Masimo's governance

Politan argues that without a majority of independent directors, Masimo's pattern of poor governance and shareholder value destruction will continue.

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) has launched its Biopharma CDx Services Lab (BCSL) in Carpinteria, California, after receiving a California State clinical laboratory license and CLIA certificate of compliance. The BCSL will support drug development from early clinical studies through regulatory approval, offering efficient companion diagnostic development. It provides access to innovative technologies for biomarker assessment and high-quality assays for clinical trials.

The continuous development model from feasibility to FDA approval offers significant cost and time advantages for biopharma companies investing in companion diagnostics and precision therapeutics. This launch strengthens Agilent's capabilities in early assay development, technology innovation, and prospective clinical trial patient testing, reinforcing its commitment to the biopharma, clinical diagnostics, and precision medicine sectors.

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) reported Q3 FY2024 results with revenue of $1.58 billion, down 5.6% reported and 4.4% core year-over-year. GAAP EPS was $0.97, up 155% from Q3 FY2023, while non-GAAP EPS was $1.32, down 8%. Despite challenging market conditions, the company exceeded guidance. Agilent revised its full-year revenue outlook to $6.450-$6.500 billion and non-GAAP EPS guidance to $5.21-$5.25. Q4 revenue is expected at $1.641-$1.691 billion with non-GAAP EPS of $1.38-$1.42. The company is focusing on strategic transformation initiatives to drive margin expansion and growth.