Agilent (A, Financial), a leading life science tools company, contributed 193 basis points to the Fund's return, as its stock increased from $85.31 to $118.49 for a total return of 39.8%. This year, the company executed exceptionally well despite the COVID-19 pandemic affecting its more industrial end-markets. Agilent's best-in-class innovation, along with its top workplace and talent, led to even faster share gains than investors expected. While competitors had to furlough staff and cut pay, Agilent's workforce was focused on winning in the marketplace — which can be seen in the different growth rates reported. As the core business continues to take share, Agilent invested aggressively in the business to accelerate growth, as highlighted by the exciting oligonucleotide manufacturing business's capacity expansion. Agilent is doing a good job shifting toward higher growth and less cyclical consumables and services that should yield sustainable growth for years to come, with a significant margin expansion opportunity as well.
From Jerome Dodson (Trades, Portfolio)'s Parnassus Endeavor Fund (Trades, Portfolio) fourth-quarter 2020 commentary.
