Agilent Technologies Inc vs Baxter International Inc — how do they compare? Agilent Technologies Inc trades at $149.35 (market cap $42.00B), while Baxter International Inc trades at $27.61 (market cap $14.36B). The key difference: Agilent Technologies Inc is far larger — about 2.9× Baxter International Inc's market cap, and Agilent Technologies Inc pays the higher dividend (0.69%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| A | BAX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $42.00B | $14.36B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $157.20 | $28.35 |
52-Week Low | $110.24 | $15.80 |
Enterprise Value | $43.55B | $21.88B |
Dividend Yield | 0.69% | 0.14% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Agilent Technologies (A) trades at $145.97, up 3.28% in the last session, with a bullish technical outlook from moving averages but overbought RSI levels. The company reported strong Q1 2026 earnings, beating estimates with EPS of $1.49, and maintains solid profitability with a net income margin of 19.55%. Recent developments include FDA and EU approvals for diagnostic assays and the acquisition of Biocare Medical, enhancing its healthcare portfolio.
The stock offers upside to the consensus price target of $154.90, supported by analyst optimism (77.5% buy ratings), but high valuation ratios like a P/E of 146.56 pose risks. Investors should monitor execution of growth initiatives and competitive pressures in the life sciences sector, with earnings on August 26, 2026, as a key catalyst.
Baxter International (BAX) trades at $27.55, up 2.0% today, showing strong momentum after recent earnings beats. The stock is approaching its 52-week high of $29.35, with technical indicators signaling bullish momentum. Fundamentally, the company reported Q2 2026 earnings of $0.56 per share, beating estimates, and raised full-year guidance, though profitability metrics remain negative with a -9.27% net income margin. Recent news highlights operational improvements and strong demand for IV solutions.
The outlook is cautiously optimistic as Baxter demonstrates turnaround progress with raised guidance and earnings beats. Investment opportunity lies in continued operational execution and margin recovery, but risks include persistent negative profitability, high debt levels, and competitive pressures in the medtech space. Wall Street sentiment is mixed with 42% buy ratings but a consensus price target below current levels.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Originally spun out of Hewlett-Packard in 1999, Agilent has evolved into a leading life sciences and diagnostics firm. Today, Agilent's measurement technologies serve a broad base of customers with its three operating segments: life science and applied tools (45% of fiscal 2021 sales), cross lab (35% of sales consisting of consumables and services related to its life science and applied tools), and diagnostics and genomics (20%). Over half of its sales are generated from the biopharmaceutical, chemical, and energy end markets, but it also supports clinical lab, environmental, forensics, food, academic, and government-related organizations. The company is geographically diverse, with operations in the U.S. (34%) and China (20%) representing the largest country concentrations.
Read more on A →Baxter offers a variety of medical instruments and supplies to caregivers. It enhanced its portfolio of hospital-focused offerings by acquiring Hillrom in late 2021. Legacy Baxter offers tools to help patients with acute and chronic kidney failure. It also sells a variety of injectable therapies for use in care settings, such as IV pumps, and administrative sets.
Read more on BAX →