Market Update (NYSE:A): Agilent Technologies to Acquire Assets of iLab Solutions, Leader in Cloud-Based Laboratory Management Software

[Business Wire] – Agilent Technologies Inc. and iLab Solutions, LLC today announced they have signed a definitive agreement under which Agilent will acquire substantially all of the assets of iLab, the market leader in cloud-based solutions for core laboratory management. Read more on this. Agilent Technologies, Inc. (A) , with a current market cap of $13.76B, began trading this morning at $43.58. Today’s price range has been between $41.98 and $43.71 per share and has traded between $33.12 and $46.68 over the past 12 months. Priced at 23.10x this year’s forecasted earnings, A shares are relatively expensive compared to the industry’s 7.86x forward p/e ratio. And for dividend hunters, the company pays shareholders $0.46 per share annually in dividends, yielding 1.04%. According to a consensus of 14 analysts, the earnings estimate of $0.47 per share would be $0.03 better than the year-ago quarter and a $0.00 sequential decrease. What we find to be interesting is that the full-year EPS estimate of $1.91 is a $0.17 improvement when compared to the previous year’s annual results. The quarterly earnings estimate is predicated on a consensus revenue forecast of $1.04 Billion. If reported, that would be a 2.97% increase over the year-ago quarter. Recently, Deutsche Bank Initiated A at Hold (Jan 7, 2016). Previously, UBS Initiated A at to Neutral. Given all the information above, we should disclose to readers that the average price target is $49.00, which is 12.44% above than it opened this morning. See more in (NYSE:A) Similar Articles: Market Update: Agilent Technologies Inc (NYSE:A) – Agilent Technologies Launches New Solutions for Pharma, Biopharma, Metabolomics and Environmental Researchers Across Mass Spec Portfolio Company Update: Agilent Technologies Inc (NYSE:A) – Agilent Technologies Introduces InfinityLab Liquid Chromatography Instruments, Columns and Supplies Stock Update: Agilent Technologies Inc (NYSE:A) – Agilent Technologies Presents Thought Leader Award to Renowned Medicinal Scientist in China