Waters Corporation $WAT Stake Increased by Findlay Park Partners LLP

Key Points

• Findlay Park Partners LLP increased its stake in Waters Corporation by 10.7% to a total of 581,169 shares, which now constitutes 2.2% of its portfolio.
• Waters Corporation reported a net margin of 21.71% and expressed positive growth prospects with an 8.8% increase in revenue compared to the previous year.
• Wall Street analysts have a consensus rating of "Hold" for Waters stock, with a target price averaging $378.73.

Findlay Park Partners LLP raised its stake in Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT - Free Report) by 10.7% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 581,169 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after buying an additional 56,000 shares during the quarter. Waters makes up about 2.2% of Findlay Park Partners LLP's investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest holding. Findlay Park Partners LLP owned about 0.98% of Waters worth $214,201,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Olde Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Waters in the first quarter valued at $25,000. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT acquired a new stake in Waters in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $28,000. IFP Advisors Inc increased its position in Waters by 118.9% in the 1st quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 81 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the period. Whipplewood Advisors LLC increased its position in Waters by 5,200.0% in the 1st quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 106 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 104 shares during the period. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new stake in Waters in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $41,000. 94.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently commented on WAT shares. UBS Group restated a "neutral" rating on shares of Waters in a research report on Tuesday, July 15th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Waters from $330.00 to $315.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $315.00 target price on Waters and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Wall Street Zen cut Waters from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, July 26th. Finally, Scotiabank restated a "sector outperform" rating and issued a $465.00 target price on shares of Waters in a research report on Friday, July 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $378.73.

Waters Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:WAT traded up $2.69 on Thursday, reaching $297.32. 707,192 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 746,544. Waters Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $275.05 and a fifty-two week high of $423.56. The company's 50 day moving average is $310.68 and its 200-day moving average is $339.44. The stock has a market capitalization of $17.70 billion, a PE ratio of 26.81, a P/E/G ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.75 and a quick ratio of 1.22.

Waters (NYSE:WAT - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, August 4th. The medical instruments supplier reported $2.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.93 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $771.33 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $745.96 million. Waters had a return on equity of 38.60% and a net margin of 21.71%.The company's revenue for the quarter was up 8.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.63 earnings per share. Waters has set its Q3 2025 guidance at 3.150-3.250 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 12.950-13.050 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Waters Corporation will post 12.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Waters

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.