Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) moved nicely higher on Monday behind a new portable measurement device.



Chart Courtesy of StockCharts.com



Gas chromatography isn't exactly dinner conversation, but it is important in chemistry and more important in drug testing, which is becoming a much more frequent development in the work place these days.

Agilent seems to have a potential hit on its hand with its new portable gas chromatographer, which according to a company press release is "the industry's first commercial transportable GC/MS system that delivers laboratory-quality analysis." In other words, if the new product delivers, it will make it easier for more people to do more testing with less bulk and less expense.

And perhaps this is what's more important, you can take this thing anywhere. The press release notes: "The 5975T LTM GC/MSD is particularly well-suited for chemical warfare analysis, first responders, and military and homeland security officials who need fast and highly accurate results in the field. Additional out-of-laboratory applications include food safety testing and environmental monitoring. "

You got it, it's got a military and a disater application, which means that anything from water testing to perhaps even criminal and forensic investigations may become easier to perform out in the field.

To the average person this may sound like inside basebal. But to investors, the breakout on the stock suggests that big money folks seem to like the idea of being able to take the lab on the road for quicker evaluation of samples and faster, more informed decision making during tough situations.

Agilent's breakout is also part of a much larger picture that is emerging in the stock market. And that is that lots of stocks outside the mainstream are starting to make big moves.

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