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Market analysis Score 35 Neutral

Agilent Technologies Stock Trails S&P 500 Despite Sector Resilience

Mar 10, 2026 15:11 UTC
AGN, ^GSPC
Medium term

Agilent Technologies (AGN) has underperformed the broader S&P 500 (^GSPC) over the past 12 months, with a 6.8% return compared to the index’s 12.3% gain. The healthcare technology company’s stock has lagged despite strong fundamentals in its core diagnostic and life sciences segments.

  • Agilent Technologies (AGN) returned 6.8% over the past 12 months, underperforming the S&P 500's 12.3% gain.
  • 74% of AGN's revenue in fiscal 2025 came from life sciences and diagnostics segments.
  • AGN’s free cash flow rose 9% YoY to $1.3 billion in fiscal 2025.
  • AGN’s P/E ratio stands at 28.5x, compared to the S&P 500’s 22.1x.
  • AGN reduced its share buyback by 15% in Q4 2025 to prioritize acquisitions and R&D.
  • The stock’s 12-month beta of 0.93 indicates below-average volatility relative to the market.

Agilent Technologies (AGN) has recorded a 6.8% return over the past 12 months, falling short of the S&P 500’s 12.3% advance during the same period. This underperformance is notable given the company’s consistent revenue growth in its life sciences and diagnostics divisions, which contributed 74% of total revenue in fiscal 2025. The stock’s relative stagnation may reflect investor caution around elevated valuations despite solid operational results. The divergence highlights a broader trend where high-quality healthcare technology stocks are being outpaced by broader market momentum, particularly in the information technology and consumer discretionary sectors. While AGN’s free cash flow reached $1.3 billion in fiscal 2025, up 9% year-over-year, its price-to-earnings ratio of 28.5x exceeds the S&P 500’s 22.1x, suggesting market expectations are already priced in. Investors are also reacting to a shift in capital allocation, with Agilent reducing its share buyback program by 15% in Q4 2025 amid a renewed focus on strategic acquisitions and R&D investments. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 has benefited from strong earnings revisions across multiple sectors, contributing to its outperformance. The stock’s 12-month beta of 0.93 indicates it is less volatile than the market average, yet its cumulative total return trails the index by 5.5 percentage points. This gap raises questions about long-term investor sentiment and whether Agilent’s growth trajectory is being adequately recognized in its current valuation.

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