10-KPeriod: FY2005

AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Annual Report, Year Ended Oct 31, 2005

Filed January 17, 2006For Securities:A

Summary

Agilent Technologies, Inc. filed its 2006 10-K on January 17, 2006, reporting on its fiscal year ending October 31, 2005. The company experienced flat total net revenue of $5.1 billion, with growth in its bio-analytical measurement business (up 7%) and electronic measurement business, offset by a decline in its semiconductor test solutions business (down 25%). Net income saw a decrease of 11% to $327 million, impacted by a $48 million tax charge related to repatriated foreign earnings. Significant strategic actions were undertaken during the year, including the completion of the divestiture of the semiconductor products business for approximately $2.6 billion and a $4.466 billion stock repurchase program. The company also initiated cost reduction plans to reduce infrastructure costs by over $450 million and plans to spin off its semiconductor test solutions business in 2006. Agilent maintains a strong financial position with $2.3 billion in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, and generated $643 million in operating cash flow. A notable event was the restatement of the 2004 financial statements due to an error in accounting for income taxes, which reduced the provision for income taxes by $20 million and increased net income by $20 million, or $0.04 per diluted share. This restatement highlights the company's commitment to accurate financial reporting and the robustness of its internal controls.

Key Highlights

  • 1Total net revenue for fiscal year 2005 was $5.1 billion, flat year-over-year.
  • 2Completed the divestiture of the semiconductor products business for approximately $2.6 billion.
  • 3Announced a stock repurchase program of up to $4.466 billion.
  • 4Plans to spin off the semiconductor test solutions business in 2006.
  • 5Initiated cost reduction plans aiming to save over $450 million annually.
  • 6Restated 2004 financial statements to correct an income tax accounting error, increasing net income by $20 million.
  • 7Generated $643 million in operating cash flow, maintaining a strong liquidity position with $2.3 billion in cash and equivalents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Agilent completed the divestiture of its semiconductor products business for approximately $2.6 billion and initiated a significant stock repurchase program of up to $4.466 billion. Additionally, the company planned to spin off its semiconductor test solutions business in 2006 and implemented cost reduction initiatives to save over $450 million annually.

Agilent restated its 2004 financial statements due to an error identified in the accounting for income taxes. Specifically, the company miscalculated and understated its estimate of U.S. jurisdictional loss, leading to an adjustment that decreased the provision for income taxes by $20 million and increased net income by $20 million, or $0.04 per diluted share.

The divestiture of the semiconductor products business was reflected as a discontinued operation in the financial statements. This action contributed to the flat total net revenue for fiscal year 2005, as the revenue from this business was no longer included in continuing operations, but the sale generated significant cash proceeds of approximately $2.6 billion.

Agilent anticipates moderate revenue growth for its electronic measurement business, driven by opportunities in 3G adoption and broadband access. The bio-analytical measurement business is expected to see continued growth across its product categories. The semiconductor test solutions business, slated for spin-off, experienced a recovery in orders in the latter half of 2005, with optimism for revenue growth in fiscal year 2006.