Agilent Technologies Inc. is scheduled to release its fiscal third-quarter results after the market closes on Wednesday, with investors focusing on margin protection amid a competitive life sciences instruments sector.
Analysts project earnings per share of $1.49 on revenue of $1.84 billion, according to the company’s consensus. The outlook reflects stability in estimates, with EPS projections unchanged over the past week and down just 0.11% over the last 60 days. Revenue forecasts have similarly shown minimal fluctuation.
The stock carries a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from 22 analysts, with 16 recommending a Buy, six maintaining a Hold, and none issuing a Sell. The mean price target stands at $160.85, implying roughly 4% upside from the then-current price of $154.77.
Recent analyst actions underscore growing confidence in the company’s near-term prospects. Morgan Stanley increased its price target to $175 from $160 on August 13 while maintaining a Buy rating. Jefferies similarly raised its target to $150 from $135 on August 21, though it kept its Hold rating.
Agilent has also raised its full-year 2026 revenue guidance to a range of $7.3 billion to $7.5 billion, an increase from its prior outlook. The company’s operating margin stood at 26.4% in the prior quarter, outperforming rival Thermo Fisher’s 22.8%.
In the fiscal second quarter reported in May, Agilent posted revenue of $1.83 billion and non-GAAP earnings per share of $1.49. Over the trailing twelve months, the company has recorded revenue growth of 9.11% and EPS growth of 22.71%. The stock trades at 30.9 times trailing earnings, reflecting premium valuation relative to broader market benchmarks.
Margin discipline and sustained revenue growth remain critical for Agilent as it navigates a competitive landscape in life sciences and diagnostics instrumentation.
