Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund Acquires 1,300 Shares of Waters Corporation $WAT

Key Points

• Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund increased its stake in Waters Corporation by 9.6% during Q1 2024, owning a total of 14,813 shares valued at approximately $5.46 million.
• Waters Corporation reported earnings of $2.95 per share for the last quarter, exceeding estimates, with revenue amounting to $771.33 million—up 8.8% from the previous year.
• Institutional investors hold 94.01% of Waters' stock, reflecting strong interest from major investment firms, significantly impacting the company's market presence.

Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund lifted its holdings in Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT - Free Report) by 9.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 14,813 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after purchasing an additional 1,300 shares during the period. Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund's holdings in Waters were worth $5,460,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in WAT. Neuberger Berman Group LLC grew its position in Waters by 1,155.7% during the first quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC now owns 47,140 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $17,374,000 after buying an additional 43,386 shares in the last quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its position in Waters by 130.2% during the first quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 14,641 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $5,396,000 after buying an additional 8,282 shares in the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new stake in Waters during the first quarter worth about $41,000. S Bank Fund Management Ltd acquired a new stake in Waters during the first quarter worth about $763,000. Finally, National Pension Service grew its position in Waters by 8.6% during the first quarter. National Pension Service now owns 105,601 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $38,921,000 after buying an additional 8,323 shares in the last quarter. 94.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Waters Trading Down 0.6%

NYSE:WAT traded down $1.7130 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $295.0170. 98,359 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 612,982. The company's 50 day moving average is $316.22 and its two-hundred day moving average is $344.14. Waters Corporation has a twelve month low of $275.05 and a twelve month high of $423.56. The company has a quick ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The company has a market capitalization of $17.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.78 and a beta of 1.04.

Waters (NYSE:WAT - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 4th. The medical instruments supplier reported $2.95 earnings per share (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 firm had revenue of $771.33 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $745.96 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.63 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Waters has set its Q3 2025 guidance at 3.150-3.250 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 12.950-13.050 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Waters Corporation will post 12.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently weighed in on WAT. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $315.00 target price on Waters and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased 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. Jefferies Financial Group set a $385.00 price objective on Waters and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, August 4th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price objective on Waters from $374.00 to $352.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Finally, UBS Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of Waters in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. 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. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $378.73.

Waters Company 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.