Split created two fast-growing tech stocks

Article Excerpt

Agilent spun off its Keysight business in November 2014. Since the split, the former parent has gained 235% while the new firm is up 350%. Compare those jumps to the 101% gain for the S&P 500 Index. We feel the shares of both companies can move even higher over the next few years despite their impressive past performance. AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. $133 is a buy. The company (New York symbol A; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 295.7 million; Market cap: $39.3 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 6.0; Dividend yield: 0.7%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.agilent.com) makes specialized testing equipment for medical research laboratories and industrial clients. Its equipment includes mass spectrometers, used to analyze substances. Demand for Agilent’s equipment from pharmaceutical firms, chemical makers and food producers remains strong as the economy recovers from the pandemic. The company also raised its selling prices to offset rising input costs. In its fiscal 2023 first quarter, ended January 31, 2023, Agilent’s revenue rose 4.9%, to $1.76 billion…