Updating Monsanto Co. and Agilent Technologies Inc.

Article Excerpt

MONSANTO CO. $107 (www.monsanto.com) develops and sells technology-based agricultural products, such as genetically modified seeds, to farmers, grain processors and food companies. It also makes weed- and pest-control products. German chemical and pharmaceutical maker Bayer AG recently increased its all-cash takeover offer for Monsanto, to $125.00 a share from $122.00. Monsanto has rejected the new offer. But it’s open to further talks with Bayer and other potential bidders. Even if a new deal fails to materialize, we still like Monsanto’s long-term prospects. Buy. AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. $47 (www.agilent.com) makes testing equipment for medical research laboratories. The company recent agreed to buy iLabs. This Massachusetts-based firm makes software that lets universities, hospitals and research firms book time in shared labs. iLab’s software also handles billing and final reports. Adding these services should help Agilent sell more of its hardware to research labs. Buy. Buy…