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A vs WAT
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Agilent Technologies (A) vs. Waters Corporation (WAT) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- A (Agilent Technologies) trades near its 52-week high with stronger year-to-date gains and a materially cleaner earnings profile, while WAT (Waters Corporation) is digesting a transformative acquisition.
- Both companies compete in life science analytical instruments and laboratory tools, but Agilent's portfolio spans broader end markets, whereas Waters is concentrated in liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.
- Agilent recently announced a digital pathology software acquisition, reinforcing its AI-enabled diagnostics push; Waters is integrating its newly acquired biosciences and diagnostics businesses.
- Agilent pays a dividend and reports a roughly 19.5% net margin, while Waters suspended its dividend and shows compressed near-term margins due to acquisition-related costs.
- Valuations are comparable on a forward basis, but their risk profiles differ: Agilent offers steadier fundamentals, while Waters carries higher leverage and integration risk.
Introduction
Investors evaluating the laboratory instruments and life science tools sector frequently weigh A against WAT, two industry leaders with distinct growth trajectories. Agilent Technologies and Waters Corporation both sell analytical instruments, consumables, and software to pharmaceutical, biotech, academic, and applied-markets customers. Yet their recent market positioning has diverged: Agilent has steadily climbed toward multi-year highs on consistent execution, while Waters has undergone a sweeping strategic transformation. This stock comparison examines relative performance, business models, and momentum to help traders and investors assess which name currently offers the more compelling market positioning.
A Overview and Recent Performance
A, or Agilent Technologies, provides application-focused solutions across life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets, operating through three segments covering liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, genomics, pathology, and laboratory services. In recent weeks, the stock has traded near its 52-week high, reflecting solid investor confidence and a favorable re-rating of the life science tools group.
Recent market activity has been supported by a steady stream of positive catalysts, including the announcement of a roughly $240 million all-cash agreement to acquire Proscia, a provider of digital pathology software, advancing Agilent's AI-enabled (artificial intelligence) digital pathology strategy. Analysts have responded constructively, with several firms raising price targets and maintaining buy-equivalent ratings in recent weeks. Agilent's fundamentals remain robust: it reports a net margin near 19.5%, return on equity (ROE, a measure of profitability relative to shareholder capital) above 20%, and a modest dividend yield. This consistency has underpinned sentiment even as broader markets have fluctuated.
WAT Overview and Recent Performance
WAT, or Waters Corporation, designs and manufactures analytical technologies including liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and thermal analysis systems. The company has undergone a major strategic shift in recent months, completing its acquisition of biosciences and diagnostic solutions businesses that nearly doubled its revenue base and reshaped its operating structure.
In recent weeks, Waters shares have climbed back toward their 52-week high, gaining ground as investors digested the scale and early execution of the integration. The company reported organic revenue growth and raised full-year adjusted EPS (earnings per share) guidance, with management citing strength in pharmaceutical demand, instrument replacement activity, and new testing applications. However, the transaction has also introduced complexity: reported net income and margins are temporarily compressed by purchase-accounting adjustments and integration costs, and Waters has taken on meaningfully more debt. This mix of growth potential and execution risk defines the stock's current market positioning.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Although both companies operate in the same industry, their market positioning differs in several important ways. Agilent maintains a broader, more diversified business with a steadier margin profile, positive free cash flow, and a shareholder-friendly dividend. Waters, by contrast, is pursuing a bolder growth agenda through acquisition, which expands its scale and end-market reach but also raises execution and leverage risk in the near term.
On valuation, the gap narrows considerably. Agilent's trailing P/E (price-to-earnings ratio) is far lower than Waters' — but Waters' trailing figure is distorted by one-time acquisition charges, making forward multiples the more meaningful comparison, where the two trade at broadly similar levels. Momentum has favored Agilent on a year-to-date basis, while Waters has posted a stronger one-year gain as markets anticipated and then absorbed its transformative deal. Sentiment indicators lean bullish for both, with analyst consensus ratings at buy levels, though Agilent's steadier earnings quality contrasts with Waters' higher beta (a measure of volatility relative to the broader market) and elevated integration risk.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, earnings stability, catalysts, and relative positioning, Tickeron's AI would likely express a modest current preference for A over WAT. Agilent's steadier uptrend, superior margin and return metrics, and cleaner earnings base suggest a more consistent and lower-risk trend profile, supported by incremental AI-related catalysts in digital pathology. Waters offers compelling growth potential as its integration matures, but its compressed margins, higher leverage, and execution-dependent outlook introduce greater variability. In probabilistic terms, the AI framework would tend to favor Agilent for trend quality and stability, while acknowledging Waters as a higher-reward, higher-uncertainty alternative.
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 WAT is a Buy.
Aroon Indicator for A shows an upward move is likely
A's Aroon Indicator triggered a bullish signal on October 28, 2026. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor detected that the AroonUp green line is above 70 while the AroonDown red line is below 30. When the up indicator moves above 70 and the down indicator remains below 30, it is a sign that the stock could be setting up for a bullish move. Traders may want to buy the stock or look to buy calls options. A.I.dvisor looked at 209 similar instances where the Aroon Indicator showed a similar pattern. In 143 of the 209 cases, the stock moved higher in the days that followed. This puts the odds of a move higher at 68%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 20, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on A as a result. In 57 of 86 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 66%.
Following a +3.14% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where A advanced for three days, in 187 of 302 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 62%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for A moved out of overbought territory on October 16, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 28 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 21 of the 28 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 75%.
The Stochastic Oscillator has been in the overbought zone for 2 days. Expect a price pull-back in the near future.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for A turned negative on October 30, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 44 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 29 of the 44 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 66%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where A declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 64%.
A broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 28, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 6 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating outstanding price growth. A’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 24 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly undervalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (6.696) is normal, around the industry mean (67.473). P/E Ratio (34.356) is within average values for comparable stocks, (2.957). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.447) is also within normal values, averaging (3.473). Dividend Yield (0.006) settles around the average of (0.002) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (5.910) is also within normal values, averaging (9.775).
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 37 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to consistent earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 45 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 69 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. A’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 85, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 95 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
Momentum Indicator for WAT turns positive, indicating new upward trend
WAT saw its Momentum Indicator move above the 0 level on October 20, 2026. This is an indication that the stock could be shifting in to a new upward move. Traders may want to consider buying the stock or buying call options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 93 similar instances where the indicator turned positive. In 62 of the 93 cases, the stock moved higher in the following days. The odds of a move higher are at 67%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for WAT just turned positive on October 21, 2026. Looking at past instances where WAT's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 29 of 45 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 64%.
Following a +2.46% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where WAT advanced for three days, in 179 of 279 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 64%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 117 of 207 cases where WAT Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 57%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for WAT moved out of overbought territory on October 30, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 34 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 22 of the 34 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 65%.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 6 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where WAT declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 63%.
WAT broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 27, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 2 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 5 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating outstanding price growth. WAT’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 52 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 85, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 85 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 89 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 90 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (2.992) is normal, around the industry mean (67.473). WAT has a moderately high P/E Ratio (116.261) as compared to the industry average of (2.957). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.649) is also within normal values, averaging (3.473). Dividend Yield (0.000) settles around the average of (0.002) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (6.752) is also within normal values, averaging (9.775).
A | WAT | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 18 | 17 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 24 Undervalued | 90 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 69 | 52 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 45 | 89 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 6 | 5 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 37 | 2 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 90 | 85 |
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 (24) in the Biotechnology industry is significantly better than the same rating for WAT (90) 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 (52) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as A (69) 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 (89) in the Medical Specialties industry. This means that A’s stock grew somewhat faster than WAT’s over the last 12 months.
WAT's Price Growth Rating (5) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as A (6) in the Biotechnology industry. This means that WAT’s stock grew similarly to A’s over the last 12 months.
WAT's P/E Growth Rating (2) in the Medical Specialties industry is somewhat better than the same rating for A (37) 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 (%) | 1 day ago 75% | 1 day ago 65% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 68% | 1 day ago 64% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 66% | 1 day ago 67% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 66% | 1 day ago 64% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 64% | 1 day ago 65% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 63% | 1 day ago 64% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 62% | 2 days ago 64% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 64% | 8 days ago 63% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 72% | 1 day ago 82% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 68% | 1 day ago 57% |
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 overvalued. 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 while WAT’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 3 TA indicator(s) are bullish while WAT’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- A’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 5 bearish.
- WAT’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
A (@Medical Specialties) experienced а +1.04% price change this week, while WAT (@Medical Specialties) price change was +1.99% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Medical Specialties industry was +2.12%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -4.89%, and the average quarterly price growth was +48.45%.
Reported Earning Dates
A is expected to report earnings on Nov 23, 2026.
WAT is expected to report earnings on Nov 03, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Medical Specialties (+2.12% 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.
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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 72% 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.