Agilent Technologies Inc. - A STOCK NEWS

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.

Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) announced two new products at the 72nd ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics. The Agilent 7010D Triple Quadrupole GC/MS System targets food and environmental markets with its new HES 2.0 ion source, offering attogram-level sensitivity, robustness, and reduced downtime through built-in intelligence and eco-friendly manufacturing.

Additionally, the Agilent ExD Cell, compatible with the 6545XT AdvanceBio LC/Q-TOF system, enhances peptide and protein characterization for biopharma and life science research, meeting the needs for in-depth structural analysis with the integration of electron capture dissociation (ECD). These advancements reflect Agilent's commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions.

Agilent Technologies reported second-quarter fiscal year 2024 revenue of $1.57 billion, an 8.4% decrease from the previous year. GAAP net income was $308 million, or $1.05 per share, a 3% increase from the prior year. Non-GAAP net income fell by 4% to $356 million, or $1.22 per share. The company revised its full-year revenue outlook to $6.420-$6.500 billion and non-GAAP EPS to $5.15-$5.25. For Q3, revenue is projected at $1.535-$1.575 billion with non-GAAP EPS of $1.25-$1.28. Agilent also announced a $750 million share repurchase by year-end and a new $2 billion repurchase program.

Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) announced that Hans E. Bishop, co-founder of Altos Labs, has stepped down from the board of directors. Bishop joined the board in July 2017 and has contributed significantly to Agilent’s life sciences initiatives. Chairman Koh Boon Hwee expressed gratitude for Bishop's service. Despite stepping down, Bishop will continue to informally advise Agilent and CEO Padraig McDonnell. Bishop cited other commitments as the reason for his departure but remains optimistic about Agilent’s future under McDonnell’s leadership.

Agilent Technologies has launched the 8850 Gas Chromatograph (GC) System, a compact, single-channel GC that integrates the capabilities of the 6850 and 8890 GC systems. This new model is designed to benefit labs in various industries such as energy, chemicals, food, and pharmaceuticals. The 8850 GC offers faster analysis and intelligent features in a space-efficient design, reducing energy consumption by up to 30%. Key attributes include enhanced uptime through integrated instrument intelligence, remote connectivity for maintenance, and a touchscreen interface. The device promises to boost lab productivity and sustainability.

Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) has announced a quarterly cash dividend of 23.6 cents per share.

This dividend will be paid on July 24, 2024, to shareholders of record as of July 2, 2024.

Future dividend amounts and timings will be determined and approved by Agilent's board of directors.