Edgestream Partners L.P. Takes $3.78 Million Position in Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT)

Edgestream Partners L.P. bought a new position in shares of Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT - Free Report) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 10,258 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock, valued at approximately $3,781,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of WAT. Olde Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Waters during the 1st quarter worth $25,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd acquired a new stake in Waters during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC grew its holdings in Waters by 129.3% during the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 94 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares during the period. Whipplewood Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Waters by 5,200.0% during the 1st quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 106 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 104 shares during the period. Finally, Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp acquired a new stake in Waters during the 4th quarter worth $42,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.01% of the company's stock.

Waters Stock Down 3.2%

NYSE:WAT traded down $9.53 on Friday, hitting $287.39. 717,082 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 501,336. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $344.45 and a 200-day moving average price of $360.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.81 and a quick ratio of 1.28. Waters Corporation has a 52 week low of $284.65 and a 52 week high of $423.56. The company has a market cap of $17.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 1.10.

Waters (NYSE:WAT - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The medical instruments supplier reported $2.25 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.22 by $0.03. Waters had a net margin of 22.02% and a return on equity of 41.70%. The firm had revenue of $661.71 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $655.50 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.21 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 3.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that Waters Corporation will post 12.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

WAT has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Sanford C. Bernstein set a $400.00 price target on shares of Waters and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Waters from $400.00 to $350.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 10th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on shares of Waters from $374.00 to $352.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Baird R W raised shares of Waters from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Waters in a research note on Monday. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Waters has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $381.94.

Waters Profile

Waters Corporation provides analytical workflow solutions in Asia, the Americas, and Europe. It operates through two segments: Waters and TA. The company designs, manufactures, sells, and services high and ultra-performance liquid chromatography, as well as mass spectrometry (MS) technology systems and support products, including chromatography columns, other consumable products, and post-warranty service plans.