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A vs IQV
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Agilent Technologies (A) vs. IQVIA Holdings (IQV) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Agilent Technologies (A) and IQVIA Holdings (IQV) operate in complementary areas of the life sciences sector, with Agilent focused on analytical instruments and diagnostics while IQVIA specializes in clinical research services and healthcare data analytics.
- Both stocks have experienced significant year-to-date declines amid broader market pressures, with IQV down approximately 25.5% and A down about 15.5% as of late May 2026.
- IQVIA reported strong first-quarter 2026 results with revenue growth of 8.4% to $4.151 billion and an earnings beat, leading to raised full-year guidance.
- Agilent delivered 7% revenue growth in its fiscal first quarter but faces near-term softness in certain end markets, with its second-quarter results scheduled for release on May 27, 2026.
- Analyst consensus ratings remain positive for both, with average price targets suggesting meaningful upside potential from recent levels.
- Relative momentum favors IQV following its earnings outperformance, while Agilent's positioning in resilient biopharma and diagnostics markets provides longer-term stability.
Introduction
Agilent Technologies (A) and IQVIA Holdings (IQV) represent two distinct yet interconnected segments within the healthcare and life sciences industry. This comparison examines their business models, recent financial performance, and market positioning to assist investors and traders evaluating exposure to analytical tools versus clinical research and data services. The analysis draws on observable market data and company reports to highlight contrasts in growth drivers, volatility, and sector dynamics relevant to portfolio allocation decisions in the current environment.
Agilent Technologies (A) Overview and Recent Performance
Agilent Technologies provides instruments, software, and services for life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets. Its offerings support research, quality control, and clinical applications across biopharmaceutical and academic customers. In recent weeks, the stock has traded near $115 amid broader sector rotation, reflecting a year-to-date decline of approximately 15.5%. First-quarter fiscal 2026 results showed reported revenue of $1.80 billion, up 7%, with core growth of 4.4%. Sentiment has been influenced by improving order trends in clinical and biopharma segments alongside ongoing monitoring of macroeconomic factors affecting capital spending. The company is scheduled to report second-quarter results on May 27, 2026.
IQVIA Holdings (IQV) Overview and Recent Performance
IQVIA Holdings delivers clinical research, commercial analytics, and technology solutions primarily to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies. Its integrated data platform supports drug development, real-world evidence generation, and market access strategies. Recent market activity shows the stock around $168 following first-quarter 2026 earnings, with year-to-date performance reflecting a decline near 25.5%. Revenue reached $4.151 billion, an 8.4% increase, accompanied by an adjusted diluted earnings per share of $2.90 that exceeded expectations. The company raised its full-year 2026 adjusted diluted earnings per share guidance to $12.65–$12.95 while reaffirming revenue and adjusted EBITDA targets, contributing to positive post-earnings momentum.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Agilent Technologies operates primarily in the life sciences tools and diagnostics space, generating revenue through instrument sales, consumables, and services that benefit from recurring demand in research and testing laboratories. IQVIA focuses on service-oriented clinical research organization activities and data analytics, creating exposure to pharmaceutical R&D pipelines and commercialization spending. Recent momentum has tilted toward IQV following its earnings beat and guidance increase, while Agilent's performance has reflected more measured recovery in order activity. Risk factors differ, with Agilent sensitive to capital equipment cycles and IQV more exposed to clinical trial delays or regulatory shifts. Both maintain significant institutional ownership and operate in defensive healthcare sectors, yet IQV's larger scale and diversified client base provide broader revenue visibility compared with Agilent's more specialized product portfolio.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as recent earnings consistency, guidance revisions, and relative price stability following catalysts, Tickeron’s AI models currently assign a higher probability of favorable near-term trend continuation to IQVIA Holdings (IQV). The company's demonstrated ability to exceed revenue and earnings expectations, combined with raised full-year targets, supports stronger positioning relative to Agilent Technologies (A), which awaits its next quarterly update amid ongoing sector headwinds.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is A is a Hold and IQV is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
A’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileIQV’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- A’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- IQV’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
A’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while IQV’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- A’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
- IQV’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
A (@Medical Specialties) experienced а -4.13% price change this week, while IQV (@Medical Specialties) price change was -1.08% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Medical Specialties industry was -0.27%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +8.03%, and the average quarterly price growth was -5.20%.
Reported Earning Dates
A is expected to report earnings on Aug 18, 2026.
IQV is expected to report earnings on Jul 28, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Medical Specialties (-0.27% weekly)Medical specialties are companies that make equipment used by the health care industry. Equipment manufactured and distributed by these companies include dialysis machines, blood analysis equipment, surgical equipment, dental instruments, and diagnostic tools, among other items. Large companies typically aim to produce and distribute high-quality products across a broad market spectrum. Smaller firms are more likely to specialize in a particular market segment. Due to the industry’s close association with medical treatments, they typically have low sensitivity to macroeconomic fluctuations. Within this industry, Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic Plc and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. are some of the companies with multi-billion market capitalizations in the U.S. stock markets.
| A | IQV | A / IQV | |
| Capitalization | 36.7B | 30.3B | 121% |
| EBITDA | 1.96B | 3.52B | 56% |
| Gain YTD | -4.190 | -19.498 | 21% |
| P/E Ratio | 26.07 | 22.54 | 116% |
| Revenue | 7.23B | 16.6B | 44% |
| Total Cash | 1.81B | 2.1B | 86% |
| Total Debt | 3.36B | 16.1B | 21% |
A | IQV | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 40 | 13 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 6 Undervalued | 62 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 95 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 44 | 42 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 46 | 51 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 63 | 49 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 75 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
A's Valuation (6) in the Biotechnology industry is somewhat better than the same rating for IQV (62) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry. This means that A’s stock grew somewhat faster than IQV’s over the last 12 months.
A's Profit vs Risk Rating (95) in the Biotechnology industry is in the same range as IQV (100) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry. This means that A’s stock grew similarly to IQV’s over the last 12 months.
IQV's SMR Rating (42) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry is in the same range as A (44) in the Biotechnology industry. This means that IQV’s stock grew similarly to A’s over the last 12 months.
A's Price Growth Rating (46) in the Biotechnology industry is in the same range as IQV (51) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry. This means that A’s stock grew similarly to IQV’s over the last 12 months.
IQV's P/E Growth Rating (49) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry is in the same range as A (63) in the Biotechnology industry. This means that IQV’s stock grew similarly to A’s over the last 12 months.
| A | IQV | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 70% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 56% | 3 days ago 68% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 58% | 3 days ago 66% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 64% | 3 days ago 63% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 64% | 3 days ago 64% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 58% | 3 days ago 63% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 11 days ago 60% | 6 days ago 58% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 62% | 4 days ago 65% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 66% | 3 days ago 54% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 69% | 3 days ago 51% |
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IQV and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, IQV has been closely correlated with CRL. These tickers have moved in lockstep 75% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if IQV jumps, then CRL could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To IQV | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IQV | 100% | +0.22% | ||
| CRL - IQV | 75% Closely correlated | -0.29% | ||
| TMO - IQV | 71% Closely correlated | -1.33% | ||
| MEDP - IQV | 69% Closely correlated | -1.63% | ||
| RVTY - IQV | 66% Loosely correlated | -1.83% | ||
| A - IQV | 63% Loosely correlated | +0.22% | ||
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