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OVERVIEW, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Notes)
3 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2024
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]  
OVERVIEW AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES OVERVIEW, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Overview. Agilent Technologies, Inc. ("we," "Agilent" or the "company"), incorporated in Delaware in May 1999, is a global leader in life sciences, diagnostics and applied chemical markets, providing application focused solutions that include instruments, software, services and consumables for the entire laboratory workflow.

Our fiscal year-end is October 31, and our fiscal quarters end on January 31, April 30 and July 31. Unless otherwise stated, these dates refer to our fiscal year and fiscal quarters.

New Segment Structure. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, we announced a change in our operating segments to move our cell analysis business from our life sciences and applied markets segment to our diagnostics and genomics operating segment in order to further strengthen growth opportunities for both organizations. Following this reorganization, we continue to have three business segments comprised of life sciences and applied markets, diagnostics and genomics and Agilent CrossLab, each of which continues to comprise a reportable segment. We are reporting under this new structure beginning with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended January 31, 2024. All historical financial segment information has been recast to conform to this new presentation in our financial statements and accompanying notes. There was no change to our Agilent CrossLab business segment.

Basis of Presentation. We have prepared the accompanying financial data for the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023 pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the U.S. have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The October 31, 2023 condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all the disclosures required in audited financial statements by U.S. GAAP. The accompanying financial data and information should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 31, 2024 and October 31, 2023, condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023, condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023 and condensed consolidated statement of equity for the three months ended January 31, 2024 and 2023.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that may impact the company in the future, actual results may be different from the estimates. Our critical accounting policies are those that affect our financial statements materially and involve difficult, subjective or complex judgments by management. Those policies are revenue recognition, valuation of goodwill and purchased intangible assets, inventory valuation, retirement and post-retirement benefit plan assumptions and accounting for income taxes.

Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents. Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents are included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. A reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash to the condensed consolidated balance sheet follows:
 January 31,October 31,
 20242023
(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents$1,748 $1,590 
Restricted cash included in other assets
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$1,750 $1,593 
Leases. As of January 31, 2024 and October 31, 2023, operating lease right-of-use assets where we are the lessee were $155 million and $154 million, respectively, and were included within other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The associated operating lease liabilities were $164 million as of both January 31, 2024 and October 31, 2023, respectively, and were included in other accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Variable Interest Entities. We make a determination upon entering into an arrangement whether an entity in which we have made an investment is considered a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”). We evaluate our investments in privately held companies on an ongoing basis. We have determined that as of January 31, 2024, and October 31, 2023, there were no VIEs required to be consolidated in our consolidated financial statements because we do not have a controlling financial interest in any of the VIEs in which we have invested nor are we the primary beneficiary. We account for these investments under either the equity method or as equity investments without readily determinable fair value ("RDFV"), depending on the circumstances. We periodically reassess whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE. The reassessment process considers whether we have acquired the power to direct the most significant activities of the VIE through changes in governing documents or other circumstances. We also reconsider whether entities previously determined not to be VIEs have become VIEs and vice-versa, based on changes in facts and circumstances including changes in contractual arrangements and capital structure.

As of both January 31, 2024, and October 31, 2023, the total carrying value of investments and loans in privately held companies considered as VIEs was $82 million. The maximum exposure is equal to the carrying value because we do not have future funding commitments. The investments are included on the long-term investments line and the loans on the other current assets and other assets lines (depending upon tenure of loan) on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The carrying values of certain of our financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued compensation and other accrued liabilities approximate fair value because of their short maturities. The fair value of long-term equity investments which are readily determinable, and which are not accounted under the equity method are reported at fair value using quoted market prices for those securities when available with gains and losses included in net income. The fair value of long-term equity investments which are not readily determinable, and which are not accounted under the equity method are reported at cost with adjustments for observable changes in prices or impairments included in net income. As of January 31, 2024 and October 31, 2023, the fair value of the term loan approximates its carrying value. As of January 31, 2024, the fair value of our senior notes was $1,900 million with a carrying value of $2,135 million. This compares to the fair value of our senior notes of $1,747 million with a carrying value of $2,135 million as of October 31, 2023. The change in the fair value compared to carrying value in the three months ended January 31, 2024 is primarily due to decreased market interest rates. The fair value was calculated from quoted prices which are primarily Level 1 inputs under the accounting guidance. The fair value of foreign currency contracts used for hedging purposes is estimated internally by using inputs tied to active markets. These inputs, for example, interest rate yield curves, foreign exchange rates, and forward and spot prices for currencies are observable in the market or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. See also Note 9, "Fair Value Measurements" for additional information on the fair value of financial instruments and contingent consideration.