MML Investors Services LLC Increases Stock Holdings in Waters Co. (NYSE:WAT)

MML Investors Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of Waters Co. (NYSE:WAT - Free Report) by 25.1% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 12,886 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after purchasing an additional 2,589 shares during the period. MML Investors Services LLC's holdings in Waters were worth $4,780,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Morse Asset Management Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Waters during the 3rd quarter valued at about $104,000. Barclays PLC grew its position in Waters by 34.8% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 159,995 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $57,579,000 after buying an additional 41,339 shares during the period. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in Waters during the third quarter valued at approximately $100,000. Tidal Investments LLC boosted its stake in shares of Waters by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 3,998 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $1,439,000 after acquiring an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Waters by 74.5% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 70,507 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $25,189,000 after acquiring an additional 30,101 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.01% of the company's stock.

Waters Stock Performance

NYSE WAT traded down $5.03 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $342.70. The stock had a trading volume of 165,750 shares, compared to its average volume of 474,343. Waters Co. has a 52-week low of $279.24 and a 52-week high of $423.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 0.94. The stock has a market cap of $20.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.79 and a beta of 1.04. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $353.89 and a 200 day moving average of $370.09.

Waters (NYSE:WAT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 12th. The medical instruments supplier reported $4.10 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $4.02 by $0.08. Waters had a return on equity of 46.31% and a net margin of 21.56%. Sell-side analysts predict that Waters Co. will post 12.86 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Waters from $415.00 to $420.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. KeyCorp raised Waters from a "sector weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and set a $460.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 31st. Baird R W upgraded Waters from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Waters from $405.00 to $410.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Waters from $400.00 to $350.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 10th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $392.13.

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.