Raymond James Financial Inc. Grows Position in Waters Corporation $WAT

Key Points

• Raymond James Financial Inc. increased its stake in Waters Corporation by 3.6%, owning approximately 0.19% of the company, valued at $41.57 million.
• Waters Corporation reported a quarterly EPS of $2.95, exceeding analysts' expectations of $2.93, with revenues reaching $771.33 million, an 8.8% year-over-year increase.
• Analysts have varying views on Waters’ stock, with price targets ranging from $315.00 to $465.00, and an average consensus rating of "Hold."

Raymond James Financial Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT - Free Report) by 3.6% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 112,799 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after purchasing an additional 3,888 shares during the quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. owned approximately 0.19% of Waters worth $41,574,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in Waters by 0.8% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 335,275 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $123,572,000 after purchasing an additional 2,688 shares during the last quarter. Ethic Inc. lifted its holdings in Waters by 42.3% during the first quarter. Ethic Inc. now owns 8,304 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $2,956,000 after purchasing an additional 2,468 shares during the last quarter. Horizon Investments LLC lifted its holdings in Waters by 5.2% during the first quarter. Horizon Investments LLC now owns 852 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $314,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Waters by 18.7% during the first quarter. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC now owns 1,187 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $437,000 after purchasing an additional 187 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund lifted its holdings in Waters by 9.6% during the first quarter. Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund now owns 14,813 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $5,460,000 after purchasing an additional 1,300 shares during the last quarter. 94.01% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Waters Trading Up 4.0%

Shares of WAT opened at $301.93 on Friday. The business's 50-day moving average price is $314.26 and its 200-day moving average price is $342.56. Waters Corporation has a twelve month low of $275.05 and a twelve month high of $423.56. The stock has a market cap of $17.97 billion, a PE ratio of 27.23, a P/E/G ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a quick ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55.

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

WAT has been the topic of several recent research reports. Robert W. Baird dropped their price objective on shares of Waters from $374.00 to $352.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of Waters from $370.00 to $375.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, June 26th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $315.00 price target on Waters and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Scotiabank reiterated a "sector outperform" rating and set a $465.00 price target on shares of Waters in a research report on Friday, July 11th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Waters from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, July 26th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $378.73.

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.

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