It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores. ...

Jefferies set a price target of $130 for Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A), while the stock was trading at $142.31, indicating a potential overvaluation according to Jefferies.Citi analysts maintain a 'Buy' rating on Agilent, with a target price of $165, highlighting the company's strong growth outlook and earnings leverage.Agilent's stock price has shown resilience with a current trading price of $141.64, reflecting a year-to-date increase amidst market fluctuations.Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A) is a global le ...

We recently compiled a list of the 12 Best Healthcare Stocks to Buy and Hold for 5 Years. Agilent Technologies, Inc. is one of them. Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A) is a global leader in life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical solutions, providing instruments, software, and services for pharmaceutical, biotech, clinical, and environmental applications. In Q3 fiscal 2025, the corporation reported non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) of $1.37, surpassing analyst expectations, with revenue growing ...

Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well. What are the Zacks Style Sco ...

Core Insights - Agilent Technologies, Inc. has a market capitalization of $35.2 billion and is a prominent provider of solutions in life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets [1] - The company operates through three main segments: Life Sciences and Applied Markets, Diagnostics and Genomics, and Agilent CrossLab, offering a wide range of instruments, consumables, software, and services [1] Company Performance - Agilent's stock has decreased over 18% from its 52-week high of $153.84, while it has risen 5.3% in the past three months, underperforming the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund's (XLV) 2.8% gain during the same period [3][4] - Year-to-date, Agilent's stock is down 6.1%, lagging behind XLV's 1.4% return, and has declined 9.1% over the past 52 weeks, compared to XLV's 10.1% decrease [4] - Following the Q3 2025 results on August 27, Agilent's shares climbed 5.3%, reporting adjusted EPS of $1.37 and revenue of $1.74 billion, exceeding estimates [5] Segment Performance - The Life Sciences and Diagnostics segment generated $670 million in sales, while the CrossLab unit delivered $744 million, indicating strong performance in these areas [5] - Agilent has raised its full-year revenue guidance to between $6.91 billion and $6.93 billion and tightened its EPS outlook to between $5.56 and $5.59, reflecting confidence in demand for its products [5] Competitive Landscape - In comparison, rival Eli Lilly and Company has seen a year-to-date decline of 1.8% and a 17.7% decrease over the past 52 weeks, which is better than Agilent's performance during the same timeframe [6]

Core Insights - MKS Inc. has released its 2025 Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) Report, emphasizing its commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices [1][2] - The report outlines significant progress towards key ESG objectives, including renewable energy usage and emissions reduction [2][6] Environmental Initiatives - MKS has doubled the share of renewable electricity at three sites in Massachusetts and installed an 8,000 square-meter solar photovoltaic system in Guangzhou, China, expected to supply up to 75% of the site's annual energy needs [6] - The company achieved a reduction of 365 metric tons of CO₂e in 2024 compared to 2023, supporting its goal to reduce combined Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% by 2030, using 2022 as the baseline [6] - MKS completed its first consolidated Scope 3 emissions inventory, covering key categories such as Purchased Goods and Services and Use of Sold Products [6] Social Responsibility - The company conducted nearly 6,000 safety walks in 2024, resulting in a 37% reduction in recordable injury cases compared to 2023, highlighting its focus on workplace safety [6] - MKS achieved an 88% participation rate in its fourth annual global employee engagement survey, indicating strong employee trust and willingness to share feedback [6] Governance and Recognition - MKS received a "Low" ESG Risk Rating from Sustainalytics and was recognized in Newsweek and Statista's list of America's Most Responsible Companies [6] - The company has been honored for three consecutive years as one of the Best Companies to Work For by U.S. News & World Report, reflecting its commitment to employee satisfaction and corporate responsibility [6]

Core Viewpoint - Waters Corporation reported strong second-quarter earnings, surpassing estimates and showing year-over-year growth in both earnings and revenue, indicating positive momentum leading into the next earnings release [2][9]. Financial Performance - Non-GAAP earnings for Q2 2025 were $2.95 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.68% and reflecting a 12% increase year-over-year [2]. - Net sales reached $771.33 million, surpassing estimates by 3.63%, with a 9% increase on a reported basis and 8% on a constant currency basis year-over-year [2]. - The adjusted operating margin was 29.1%, a slight contraction of 10 basis points year-over-year [7]. Segment Performance - The Waters segment accounted for 89.3% of net sales, generating $688.8 million, up 11% year-over-year [3]. - Instruments sales (40% of net sales) were $308.4 million, increasing 5% year-over-year, while Services (38.6% of net sales) saw sales of $297.9 million, climbing 9% [4]. - Chemistry sales (21.4% of net sales) grew 17% year-over-year to $165 million [4]. Market Breakdown - The Pharmaceutical market, representing 59.9% of net sales, generated $462 million, up 11% year-over-year [5]. - The Industrial market (30.8% of net sales) reported sales of $237.7 million, a 7.3% increase year-over-year [5]. - The Academic & Government market (9.3% of net sales) remained flat year-over-year at $71.7 million [5]. Geographic Performance - Asia accounted for 34.5% of net sales with $265.9 million, up 12% year-over-year [6]. - Sales in the Americas (36.4% of net sales) were $280.7 million, increasing 2% year-over-year [6]. - Europe (29.1% of net sales) generated $224.6 million, reflecting a 14% year-over-year increase [6]. Guidance and Outlook - For Q3 2025, Waters expects non-GAAP earnings of $3.15-$3.25 per share, indicating year-over-year growth of approximately 8% to 11% [9]. - For the full year 2025, non-GAAP earnings are anticipated to be between $12.95 and $13.05 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth of approximately 9% to 10% [10]. - Total sales growth for 2025 is projected to be in the range of 5% to 7% [10].

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers various tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies, including daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores provide a rating system for stocks based on value, growth, and momentum, helping investors identify securities likely to outperform the market in the short term [2][3] - Stocks are rated from A to F, with A indicating the highest potential for outperformance [3] Value Score - The Value Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales [3] Growth Score - The Growth Score assesses a company's financial health and future growth potential by analyzing earnings, sales, and cash flow [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Score evaluates stocks based on price trends and earnings estimate changes, aiding in timing investment decisions [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines the three Style Scores to identify stocks with the best overall value, growth, and momentum characteristics [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to guide investors in stock selection [7] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically outperformed the S&P 500, with an average annual return of +23.75% since 1988 [8] Stock Selection Strategy - To maximize returns, investors should focus on stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B [9] - Stocks with lower ranks (4 or 5) should be avoided, even if they have high Style Scores, due to declining earnings forecasts [10] Company Spotlight: MKS Inc. - MKS Inc. is a global provider of advanced manufacturing process control solutions, currently rated 3 (Hold) with a VGM Score of A [11] - The company has a Value Style Score of B, supported by a forward P/E ratio of 15.24, making it attractive to value investors [11] - Recent earnings estimates for fiscal 2025 have been revised upward, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.32 to $6.94 per share, and an average earnings surprise of +15.9% [12]

Core Insights - MKS Inc. will participate in a fireside chat at the Deutsche Bank Technology Conference on August 27, 2025 [1] - The session will be available via live webcast and a replay will be accessible for a limited time [2] Company Overview - MKS Inc. is a global provider of enabling technologies that transform various industries, focusing on semiconductor manufacturing, electronics, packaging, and specialty industrial applications [3] - The company delivers foundational technology solutions, including instruments, subsystems, systems, process control solutions, and specialty chemicals technology [3] - MKS's solutions address challenges in miniaturization and complexity in advanced device manufacturing, enhancing power, speed, feature enhancement, and connectivity [3] - The company also meets increasing performance requirements across a wide range of specialty industrial applications [3]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium provides tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies, including daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1] - The Zacks Style Scores are designed to help investors select stocks with the highest potential to outperform the market in the short term [2] Zacks Style Scores Overview - The Style Scores categorize stocks based on value, growth, and momentum, assigning ratings from A to F, with A indicating the highest potential for outperformance [3] - Value Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios like P/E and Price/Sales [4] - Growth Score emphasizes a company's financial health and future growth potential, analyzing earnings and sales projections [5] - Momentum Score identifies trends in stock prices and earnings estimates to optimize entry points for investments [6] - VGM Score combines all three styles to provide a comprehensive assessment of stocks, aiding in identifying the most attractive investment opportunities [6] Zacks Rank and Style Scores Interaction - The Zacks Rank utilizes earnings estimate revisions to guide investors in building successful portfolios, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks achieving an average annual return of +23.75% since 1988 [7] - Investors are encouraged to select stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B for optimal success [9] - Stocks with lower ranks, even if they have high Style Scores, may still face downward price pressure due to negative earnings forecasts [10] Company Spotlight: MKS Inc. - MKS Inc. is a global provider of advanced manufacturing process control solutions, currently rated 3 (Hold) by Zacks, with a VGM Score of A [11] - The company is projected to experience year-over-year earnings growth of 5.5% for the current fiscal year, supported by a Growth Style Score of B [11] - Recent analyst revisions have increased the earnings estimate for fiscal 2025 by $0.32 to $6.94 per share, with an average earnings surprise of +15.9% [12] - MKS Inc. is positioned as a potential growth investment due to its solid Zacks Rank and favorable Style Scores [12]