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A vs WAT
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Agilent Technologies (A) vs. Waters Corporation (WAT) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Agilent Technologies (A) has delivered stronger year-to-date performance of approximately 2.3% compared to Waters Corporation (WAT) at 0.66% through July 31, 2026.
- Both companies operate in the life sciences tools and diagnostics sector, with Agilent focusing on a broader range of analytical instruments and WAT specializing in chromatography and mass spectrometry solutions.
- Recent market activity shows (A) with notable gains over the past month, while (WAT) prepares for its Q2 2026 earnings release on August 4.
- One-year returns favor (WAT) at roughly 27%, edging out (A)’s approximately 21-22% over the same period.
- Sector exposure and growth drivers remain aligned with biopharma and research spending trends, creating similar but differentiated risk profiles for investors.
- Analyst sentiment reflects measured optimism for both, with attention on upcoming quarterly results and macroeconomic influences on capital equipment demand.
Introduction
Agilent Technologies (A) and Waters Corporation (WAT) represent two established players in the life sciences and analytical instrumentation space. This comparison examines their relative performance, business positioning, and recent market dynamics to assist investors and traders evaluating exposure within the healthcare equipment and supplies sector. Professionals monitoring sector rotation, earnings catalysts, or AI-driven trading signals may find the analysis relevant for portfolio construction or tactical allocation decisions. The review draws on observable price behavior and verifiable developments from recent market activity without forecasting outcomes.
Agilent Technologies (A) Overview and Recent Performance
Agilent Technologies (A) develops and commercializes measurement solutions including chromatography systems, mass spectrometers, and laboratory software serving pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and applied chemical markets. In recent weeks, the stock has shown resilience amid broader market conditions, closing at $138.37 on July 31, 2026. Year-to-date performance stands at approximately 2.3%, with gains of about 6.14% over the past month and 21.12% over three months. The 52-week range spans $108.35 to $160.27. Factors influencing sentiment include sustained demand for research tools and anticipation surrounding the company’s fiscal Q3 2026 earnings report, alongside general sector capital-spending trends.
Waters Corporation (WAT) Overview and Recent Performance
Waters Corporation (WAT) specializes in high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and thermal analysis instruments primarily for pharmaceutical, life science, and environmental testing applications. As of July 31, 2026, the shares closed at $377.31. Year-to-date returns approximate 0.66%, with a stronger one-year return of roughly 27.2%. The 52-week range is $275.05 to $414.15. Recent market activity reflects positioning ahead of the company’s Q2 2026 earnings release scheduled for August 4, following solid Q1 results reported earlier in the year. Performance has been shaped by biopharma demand patterns and overall industry capital equipment cycles.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Agilent Technologies (A) offers broader product diversification across diagnostics and applied markets, while Waters Corporation (WAT) maintains a more concentrated focus on separation science and mass spectrometry. Recent momentum has tilted toward (A) on a year-to-date and near-term basis, whereas (WAT) has posted comparatively stronger longer-term one-year gains. Both face similar exposure to biopharmaceutical research and development budgets, creating parallel sensitivity to capital expenditure cycles. Risk factors include supply-chain dependencies and competition within the analytical instruments industry. Market sentiment for each reflects earnings visibility and macroeconomic influences on laboratory spending rather than divergent sector narratives.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable trend consistency and relative positioning in recent market activity, Tickeron’s AI models currently assign a modestly higher probabilistic preference to Agilent Technologies (A) over Waters Corporation (WAT). This assessment incorporates stronger near-term price stability and momentum indicators alongside sector catalyst alignment, while acknowledging that (WAT)’s upcoming earnings release could shift relative dynamics. The evaluation remains probabilistic and subject to ongoing data inputs.
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 StrongBuy and WAT is a Buy.
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 2 FA rating(s) are green whileWAT’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- A’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- WAT’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 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 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while WAT’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- A’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 3 bearish.
- WAT’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
A (@Medical Specialties) experienced а +1.90% price change this week, while WAT (@Medical Specialties) price change was +5.10% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Medical Specialties industry was +7.00%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +8.22%, and the average quarterly price growth was +20.26%.
Reported Earning Dates
A is expected to report earnings on Aug 26, 2026.
WAT is expected to report earnings on Nov 03, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Medical Specialties (+7.00% 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 | WAT | A / WAT | |
| Capitalization | 39.9B | 39.2B | 102% |
| EBITDA | 1.96B | 991M | 198% |
| Gain YTD | 4.497 | 5.231 | 86% |
| P/E Ratio | 28.38 | 101.19 | 28% |
| Revenue | 7.23B | 3.77B | 192% |
| Total Cash | 1.81B | 462M | 391% |
| Total Debt | 3.36B | 5.57B | 60% |
A | WAT | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 77 | 24 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 6 Undervalued | 75 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 89 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 45 | 85 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 18 | 20 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 48 | 3 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 44 | 50 |
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 significantly better than the same rating for WAT (75) in the Medical Specialties industry. This means that A’s stock grew significantly faster than WAT’s over the last 12 months.
WAT's Profit vs Risk Rating (89) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as A (100) in the Biotechnology industry. This means that WAT’s stock grew similarly to A’s over the last 12 months.
A's SMR Rating (45) in the Biotechnology industry is somewhat better than the same rating for WAT (85) in the Medical Specialties industry. This means that A’s stock grew somewhat faster than WAT’s over the last 12 months.
A's Price Growth Rating (18) in the Biotechnology industry is in the same range as WAT (20) in the Medical Specialties industry. This means that A’s stock grew similarly to WAT’s over the last 12 months.
WAT's P/E Growth Rating (3) in the Medical Specialties industry is somewhat better than the same rating for A (48) in the Biotechnology industry. This means that WAT’s stock grew somewhat faster than A’s over the last 12 months.
| A | WAT | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 59% | 2 days ago 66% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 57% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 59% | 2 days ago 67% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 62% | 2 days ago 63% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 60% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 3 days ago 62% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 64% | 5 days ago 64% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 66% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | N/A |
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A and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, A has been closely correlated with TMO. These tickers have moved in lockstep 75% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if A jumps, then TMO could also see price increases.
WAT and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, WAT has been closely correlated with A. These tickers have moved in lockstep 67% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if WAT jumps, then A could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To WAT | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAT | 100% | -0.07% | ||
| A - WAT | 67% Closely correlated | +0.16% | ||
| RVTY - WAT | 64% Loosely correlated | -0.68% | ||
| TMO - WAT | 59% Loosely correlated | +0.38% | ||
| BRKR - WAT | 58% Loosely correlated | -2.29% | ||
| CRL - WAT | 56% Loosely correlated | +1.84% | ||
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