Agilent Technologies Inc. - A STOCK NEWS

Helzberg Diamonds, a renowned US jewelry retailer, has partnered with Proximity, creator of the award-winning Retail Super-App, to enhance customer experience. The collaboration aims to empower sales associates with a clienteling platform that delivers hyper-personalized service across all touchpoints. Launched in summer 2024, the platform connects customer data and uses innovative technology to power personalization and provide endless aisle capabilities.

The partnership is expected to transform customer engagement, drive repeat purchases, and increase in-store efficiency. Proximity's CEO, Cathy McCabe, expressed excitement about forging deep connections with customers and cultivating loyalty. Brad Hampton, CEO of Helzberg Diamonds, highlighted the opportunity to accelerate their digital transformation while maintaining the human touch that sets them apart in the industry.

Crawford & Company (NYSE: CRD-A, CRD-B) reported its Q2 2024 results, with revenues before reimbursements at $314.2 million, down from $324.6 million in Q2 2023. Net income attributable to shareholders increased to $8.6 million from $8.4 million last year, with diluted EPS at $0.17 for both share classes, unchanged from Q2 2023. Non-GAAP diluted EPS rose to $0.25 from $0.24. The company added $23 million in new business, with a robust pipeline.

Segment Results:

• North America Loss Adjusting: Revenues of $76 million, slight decline; operating earnings up to $4.9 million.
• International Operations: Revenues up 7.3% to $102.3 million; operating earnings rose to $5.7 million.
• Broadspire: Record revenues of $97.1 million, up 11.3%; operating earnings surged to $15.1 million.
• Platform Solutions: Revenues fell 40.8% to $38.8 million; operating earnings down to $1.5 million.

Company's debt rose to $233.8 million, with cash and equivalents at $46.7 million. Cash used in operations was $8.3 million for H1 2024, versus $27.2 million provided in 2023. No CRD-A shares were repurchased, but 230,861 shares of CRD-B were repurchased for $2.1 million.

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) has received FDA approval for MAGE-A4 IHC 1F9 pharmDx as a diagnostic tool to identify patients with synovial sarcoma eligible for treatment with TECELRA®, a MAGE-A4-directed engineered T-Cell Receptor (TCR) therapy. This immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay detects MAGE-A4 expression in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) synovial sarcoma tissue. It's the first IVD for MAGE-A4 available on the market. TECELRA® is approved for advanced MAGE-A4 positive synovial sarcoma in adults with certain HLA types who have received prior chemotherapy, marking the first FDA-approved engineered TCR T-Cell therapy for a solid tumor cancer.

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) has acquired Sigsense Technologies, a San Francisco-based startup specializing in AI-enabled lab operations technology. The acquisition, for undisclosed financial terms, integrates Sigsense's AI and power monitoring technology into Agilent's CrossLab Connect suite of digital applications. This integration enhances asset monitoring capabilities, allowing labs to track instrument utilization and status across all scientific assets, regardless of vendor.

The technology provides operational insights to alert lab managers of underperforming assets and optimization opportunities, particularly beneficial for commercial labs with large instrument fleets and intense testing schedules. With this acquisition, Sigsense's employees, IP, and assets are now part of the Agilent CrossLab Group, further extending AI technology to improve lab performance and productivity.

Crawford & Company (NYSE: CRD-A and CRD-B) has announced a quarterly dividend declaration following its regular board meeting on July 25, 2024. The company will pay $0.07 per share for both Class A and Class B Common Stock. This dividend is payable on August 30, 2024, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 12, 2024. This announcement demonstrates Crawford & Company's commitment to providing regular returns to its shareholders, maintaining its dividend policy despite potential economic uncertainties.

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) has announced a $925 million acquisition of BIOVECTRA, a leading specialized contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) based in Canada. This strategic move expands Agilent's end-to-end biopharma solutions in three key areas:

1. Portfolio expansion: Adding sterile fill-finish services, pDNA and mRNA capabilities, and lipid nanoparticle formulation.
2. Rapidly growing modalities: Gaining expertise in antibody drug conjugates, highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients, and GLP-1.
3. Gene editing capabilities: Combining BIOVECTRA's biologics expertise with Agilent's gRNA knowledge.

BIOVECTRA reported $113 million in revenue for 2023 and expects double-digit growth in 2024. The acquisition is expected to close before 2025 and will be $0.05 dilutive to Agilent's non-GAAP EPS in the first full year after closing.

Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) has announced it will release its third-quarter fiscal year 2024 financial results after the stock market closes on August 21. The company will host a conference call at 1:30 p.m. PDT to discuss the results. Investors can join the listen-only webcast through the Events section of Agilent's investor relations website. A recording of the call will be available on the website for 90 days following the event. This announcement provides an opportunity for investors and analysts to gain insights into Agilent's recent financial performance and future outlook.

Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) has announced the appointment of Bret DiMarco as its new senior vice president and chief legal officer, effective immediately. DiMarco will also serve as the company secretary. He brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles, including chief legal officer at Pendo.io and executive vice president, chief legal officer at Coherent Inc., where he handled legal matters, intellectual property, and global trade compliance. DiMarco has also been a special adviser during Coherent's merger with II-VI Incorporated and has a background in corporate and securities law from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. He is the current chair of the Nasdaq Exchange Nominating Committee and has been an adjunct assistant professor at the University of California Law School, San Francisco since 2004.

Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) has published its annual ESG report, highlighting significant advancements in sustainable lab solutions. These include the industry's largest instrument recycling and refurbishment program and the expansion of My Green Lab ACT-labeled products, now making up 40% of instrument revenue. The report also notes the company's progress in greener product packaging and asset monitoring technology to enhance lab efficiency.

Agilent achieved an 8% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2019, alongside over 30% revenue growth. The company received net-zero emissions target validation from the Science Based Targets initiative and implemented sustainable practices that save thousands of gallons of organic waste and hundreds of pounds of foam and plastic annually.

Workforce diversity and engagement were also emphasized. Agilent earned Great Place to Work® certification in 27 regions and donated millions to various educational and charitable causes. These efforts underline Agilent's commitment to supporting science, society, and the environment.