JPL Wealth Management LLC Takes Position in Waters Co. (NYSE:WAT)

JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Waters Co. (NYSE:WAT - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 3,793 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock, valued at approximately $1,249,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC acquired a new position in shares of Waters during the 4th quarter worth $35,000. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Waters in the 3rd quarter valued at about $33,000. Wetzel Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Waters in the 4th quarter valued at about $39,000. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Waters in the 4th quarter valued at about $41,000. Finally, VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC raised its stake in Waters by 300.0% in the 3rd quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC now owns 144 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares during the last quarter. 94.01% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Waters Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of WAT traded down $2.85 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $348.80. The company's stock had a trading volume of 457,408 shares, compared to its average volume of 422,720. The company has a fifty day moving average of $333.55 and a two-hundred day moving average of $318.33. Waters Co. has a twelve month low of $231.90 and a twelve month high of $367.21. The company has a market cap of $20.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.23, a P/E/G ratio of 5.63 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a quick ratio of 1.30, a current ratio of 1.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.60.

Waters (NYSE:WAT - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 7th. The medical instruments supplier reported $2.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.10 by $0.11. Waters had a return on equity of 66.59% and a net margin of 20.75%. The company had revenue of $636.80 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $635.57 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.49 EPS. Waters's quarterly revenue was down 7.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Waters Co. will post 11.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have commented on WAT. Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on Waters from $319.00 to $312.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 8th. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on Waters from $320.00 to $340.00 and gave the company an "in-line" rating in a report on Thursday, April 4th. Barclays decreased their target price on Waters from $300.00 to $295.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 8th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on Waters from $330.00 to $332.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 8th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their target price on Waters from $350.00 to $358.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and ten have assigned a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $305.78.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Christopher A. Kuebler sold 4,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $361.64, for a total transaction of $1,446,560.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 14,716 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,321,894.24. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, Director Linda Baddour sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $355.54, for a total value of $177,770.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 2,250 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $799,965. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Christopher A. Kuebler sold 4,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $361.64, for a total value of $1,446,560.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 14,716 shares in the company, valued at $5,321,894.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.82% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.