Weiss Ratings Reaffirms Hold (C) Rating for Waters (NYSE:WAT)

Key Points

• Weiss Ratings has reaffirmed a Hold (C) rating for Waters (NYSE:WAT) while other analysts have given varied ratings, including a buy rating from Jefferies Financial Group with a target price of $385.
• Waters' stock recently traded up 3.3% to $328.73, showing a market capitalization of $19.57 billion and a PE ratio of 29.63.
• Waters reported earnings of $2.95 EPS for its last quarter, exceeding estimates and marking an 8.8% increase in revenue year-over-year.

Waters (NYSE:WAT - Get Free Report)'s stock had its "hold (c)" rating restated by stock analysts at Weiss Ratings in a report released on Wednesday,Weiss Ratings reports.

Other analysts also recently issued reports about the company. UBS Group reiterated a "neutral" rating on shares of Waters in a research report on Tuesday, July 15th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $385.00 target price on Waters and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, August 4th. Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on Waters from $374.00 to $352.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 16th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on Waters from $370.00 to $375.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, June 26th. Finally, Scotiabank reiterated a "sector outperform" rating and set a $465.00 target price on shares of Waters in a research report on Friday, July 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $381.63.

Waters Trading Up 3.3%

WAT stock traded up $10.38 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $328.73. 305,434 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 623,930. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.57 billion, a PE ratio of 29.63, a PEG ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 1.04. Waters has a one year low of $275.05 and a one year high of $423.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a current ratio of 1.75. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $297.74 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $324.71.

Waters (NYSE:WAT - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, August 4th. The medical instruments supplier reported $2.95 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.93 by $0.02. Waters had a net margin of 21.71% and a return on equity of 38.60%. The business had revenue of $771.33 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $745.96 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.63 earnings per share. The firm'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. Equities research analysts expect that Waters will post 12.86 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Olde Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Waters during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT purchased a new stake in shares of Waters in the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its position in shares of Waters by 118.9% in the 1st quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 81 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares during the period. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd bought a new stake in Waters during the 1st quarter valued at about $41,000. Finally, CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC bought a new stake in shares of Waters in the second quarter worth approximately $53,000. 94.01% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.