Agilent Technologies (A) is an "increasingly attractive" asset that posted a solid fiscal Q2 beat as key drivers like liquid and gas chromatography instruments continue to deliver amid solid execution across the board, BofA Securities said in a Thursday research note.

Instrument segment momentum in Q2 was linked with share gains and execution as management highlighted continued competitive wins and innovation-driven displacements, analysts wrote.

Gas chromatography replacement activity amid aging fleets supported the robust chemical print in Q2, the firm said. Overall, spectroscopy remained a standout across semiconductor, high-purity chemical, and advanced materials workflows, according to analysts.

The brokerage said it upgraded the stock to buy from neutral and adjusted its price target to $145 per share from $150.

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