Waters (WAT) Competitors

$333.43 -1.50 (-0.45%)

Closing price 03:59 PM Eastern

Extended Trading

$333.38 -0.05 (-0.01%)

As of 04:46 PM Eastern

WAT vs. BRKR, TECH, A, BIO, and DHR

Should you buy Waters stock or one of its competitors? MarketBeat compares Waters with other companies and stocks that may be similar based on industry, sector, market capitalization, business model, investor interest, or shared news coverage. Companies and stocks commonly compared with Waters include Bruker (BRKR), Bio-Techne (TECH), Agilent Technologies (A), Bio-Rad Laboratories (BIO), and Danaher (DHR).

How does Waters compare to Bruker?

Waters (NYSE:WAT) and Bruker (NASDAQ:BRKR) are both life sciences tools & services companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, earnings, risk, media sentiment, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations and valuation.

Waters presently has a consensus target price of $396.00, indicating a potential upside of 18.76%. Bruker has a consensus target price of $50.54, indicating a potential upside of 14.44%. Given Waters' stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Waters is more favorable than Bruker.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Waters	0 Sell rating(s)	8 Hold rating(s)	9 Buy rating(s)	3 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.75
Bruker	2 Sell rating(s)	5 Hold rating(s)	7 Buy rating(s)	1 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.47

Waters has a net margin of 11.91% compared to Bruker's net margin of -0.65%. Waters' return on equity of 15.60% beat Bruker's return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Waters	11.91%	15.60%	8.90%
Bruker	-0.65%	11.60%	4.25%

In the previous week, Bruker had 3 more articles in the media than Waters. MarketBeat recorded 10 mentions for Bruker and 7 mentions for Waters. Waters' average media sentiment score of 1.07 beat Bruker's score of 0.66 indicating that Waters is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Waters	4 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	2 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive
Bruker	2 Very Positive mention(s)	2 Positive mention(s)	5 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive

Waters has a beta of 1.14, meaning that its share price is 14% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Bruker has a beta of 1.12, meaning that its share price is 12% more volatile than the broader market.

Waters has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Bruker. Bruker is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Waters, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Waters	$3.17B	10.34	$642.63M	$7.87	42.37
Bruker	$3.46B	1.94	-$8.60M	-$0.24	N/A

94.0% of Waters shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 79.5% of Bruker shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.3% of Waters shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 27.2% of Bruker shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Waters beats Bruker on 14 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Waters compare to Bio-Techne?

Waters (NYSE:WAT) and Bio-Techne (NASDAQ:TECH) are both medical companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, earnings, risk, media sentiment, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations and valuation.

94.0% of Waters shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 98.9% of Bio-Techne shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.3% of Waters shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.3% of Bio-Techne shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Waters has higher revenue and earnings than Bio-Techne. Waters is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Bio-Techne, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Waters	$3.17B	10.34	$642.63M	$7.87	42.37
Bio-Techne	$1.21B	5.79	$73.40M	$0.69	64.84

In the previous week, Bio-Techne had 8 more articles in the media than Waters. MarketBeat recorded 15 mentions for Bio-Techne and 7 mentions for Waters. Waters' average media sentiment score of 1.07 beat Bio-Techne's score of 0.23 indicating that Waters is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Waters	4 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	2 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive
Bio-Techne	3 Very Positive mention(s)	5 Positive mention(s)	4 Neutral mention(s)	2 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral

Waters has a beta of 1.14, meaning that its share price is 14% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Bio-Techne has a beta of 1.41, meaning that its share price is 41% more volatile than the broader market.

Waters presently has a consensus target price of $396.00, indicating a potential upside of 18.76%. Bio-Techne has a consensus target price of $66.77, indicating a potential upside of 49.24%. Given Bio-Techne's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Bio-Techne is more favorable than Waters.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Waters	0 Sell rating(s)	8 Hold rating(s)	9 Buy rating(s)	3 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.75
Bio-Techne	0 Sell rating(s)	4 Hold rating(s)	9 Buy rating(s)	1 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.79

Waters has a net margin of 11.91% compared to Bio-Techne's net margin of 9.05%. Waters' return on equity of 15.60% beat Bio-Techne's return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Waters	11.91%	15.60%	8.90%
Bio-Techne	9.05%	13.57%	10.66%

Summary

Waters and Bio-Techne tied by winning 8 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Waters compare to Agilent Technologies?

Waters (NYSE:WAT) and Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A) are both large-cap medical companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, risk, earnings, valuation, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and profitability.

94.0% of Waters shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 87.4% of Agilent Technologies shares are held by institutional investors. 0.3% of Waters shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of Agilent Technologies shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Agilent Technologies has higher revenue and earnings than Waters. Agilent Technologies is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Waters, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Waters	$3.17B	10.34	$642.63M	$7.87	42.37
Agilent Technologies	$7.07B	4.53	$1.30B	$4.53	24.99

In the previous week, Waters and Waters both had 7 articles in the media. Waters' average media sentiment score of 1.07 beat Agilent Technologies' score of 0.83 indicating that Waters is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Waters	4 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	2 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive
Agilent Technologies	4 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	2 Neutral mention(s)	1 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive

Waters has a beta of 1.14, suggesting that its share price is 14% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Agilent Technologies has a beta of 1.22, suggesting that its share price is 22% more volatile than the broader market.

Waters currently has a consensus target price of $396.00, suggesting a potential upside of 18.76%. Agilent Technologies has a consensus target price of $163.71, suggesting a potential upside of 44.59%. Given Agilent Technologies' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Agilent Technologies is more favorable than Waters.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Waters	0 Sell rating(s)	8 Hold rating(s)	9 Buy rating(s)	3 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.75
Agilent Technologies	0 Sell rating(s)	2 Hold rating(s)	11 Buy rating(s)	2 Strong Buy rating(s)	3.00

Agilent Technologies has a net margin of 18.26% compared to Waters' net margin of 11.91%. Agilent Technologies' return on equity of 24.49% beat Waters' return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Waters	11.91%	15.60%	8.90%
Agilent Technologies	18.26%	24.49%	12.83%

Summary

Agilent Technologies beats Waters on 9 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Waters compare to Bio-Rad Laboratories?

Bio-Rad Laboratories (NYSE:BIO) and Waters (NYSE:WAT) are both medical companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, risk, dividends, earnings, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and profitability.

Waters has a net margin of 11.91% compared to Bio-Rad Laboratories' net margin of 6.52%. Waters' return on equity of 15.60% beat Bio-Rad Laboratories' return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Bio-Rad Laboratories	6.52%	3.56%	2.49%
Waters	11.91%	15.60%	8.90%

Bio-Rad Laboratories currently has a consensus target price of $333.00, suggesting a potential upside of 35.43%. Waters has a consensus target price of $396.00, suggesting a potential upside of 18.76%. Given Bio-Rad Laboratories' higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Bio-Rad Laboratories is more favorable than Waters.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Bio-Rad Laboratories	1 Sell rating(s)	3 Hold rating(s)	1 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.00
Waters	0 Sell rating(s)	8 Hold rating(s)	9 Buy rating(s)	3 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.75

Bio-Rad Laboratories has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Waters. Bio-Rad Laboratories is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Waters, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Bio-Rad Laboratories	$2.58B	2.55	$759.90M	$6.07	40.51
Waters	$3.17B	10.34	$642.63M	$7.87	42.37

In the previous week, Waters had 6 more articles in the media than Bio-Rad Laboratories. MarketBeat recorded 7 mentions for Waters and 1 mentions for Bio-Rad Laboratories. Waters' average media sentiment score of 1.07 beat Bio-Rad Laboratories' score of 0.00 indicating that Waters is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Bio-Rad Laboratories	0 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	1 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral
Waters	4 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	2 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive

65.2% of Bio-Rad Laboratories shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 94.0% of Waters shares are held by institutional investors. 30.3% of Bio-Rad Laboratories shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Waters shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Bio-Rad Laboratories has a beta of 1.06, suggesting that its stock price is 6% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Waters has a beta of 1.14, suggesting that its stock price is 14% more volatile than the broader market.

Summary

Waters beats Bio-Rad Laboratories on 14 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Waters compare to Danaher?

Danaher (NYSE:DHR) and Waters (NYSE:WAT) are both large-cap medical companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, risk, dividends, earnings, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and profitability.

Danaher has a net margin of 14.89% compared to Waters' net margin of 11.91%. Waters' return on equity of 15.60% beat Danaher's return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Danaher	14.89%	10.91%	6.94%
Waters	11.91%	15.60%	8.90%

Danaher currently has a consensus target price of $240.70, suggesting a potential upside of 46.24%. Waters has a consensus target price of $396.00, suggesting a potential upside of 18.76%. Given Danaher's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Danaher is more favorable than Waters.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Danaher	0 Sell rating(s)	3 Hold rating(s)	18 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.86
Waters	0 Sell rating(s)	8 Hold rating(s)	9 Buy rating(s)	3 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.75

Danaher has higher revenue and earnings than Waters. Danaher is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Waters, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Danaher	$24.78B	4.70	$3.61B	$5.17	31.84
Waters	$3.17B	10.34	$642.63M	$7.87	42.37

In the previous week, Danaher had 11 more articles in the media than Waters. MarketBeat recorded 18 mentions for Danaher and 7 mentions for Waters. Danaher's average media sentiment score of 1.17 beat Waters' score of 1.07 indicating that Danaher is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Danaher	14 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	3 Neutral mention(s)	1 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive
Waters	4 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	2 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive

79.1% of Danaher shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 94.0% of Waters shares are held by institutional investors. 10.8% of Danaher shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Waters shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Danaher has a beta of 0.81, suggesting that its stock price is 19% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Waters has a beta of 1.14, suggesting that its stock price is 14% more volatile than the broader market.

Summary

Danaher beats Waters on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding WAT and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.

Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NYSE and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.

WAT vs. The Competition

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Metric	Waters	MED INSTRUMENTS Industry	Medical Sector	NYSE Exchange
Market Cap	$32.73B	$6.69B	$6.29B	$23.00B
Dividend Yield	N/A	1.72%	2.79%	4.07%
P/E Ratio	42.37	49.56	20.89	28.39
Price / Sales	10.34	43.31	522.17	39.98
Price / Cash	21.18	24.21	42.94	25.11
Price / Book	2.14	6.50	9.86	4.76
Net Income	$642.63M	$158.34M	$3.55B	$1.06B
7 Day Performance	-4.72%	-2.49%	-0.32%	-0.75%
1 Month Performance	0.65%	-1.89%	1.33%	1.73%
1 Year Performance	-3.79%	-1.84%	41.10%	25.04%

Waters Competitors List

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Company	MarketRank	Share Price	Analysts' Price Target	1Y Price Performance	Market Cap	Revenue	P/E Ratio	Employee Count	Indicator(s)
WAT Waters	4.604 of 5 stars	$333.43 -0.4%	$396.00 +18.8%	-6.8%	$32.73B	$3.17B	42.37	7,900	Analyst Forecast Gap Up
BRKR Bruker	3.0268 of 5 stars	$43.27 -2.0%	$50.54 +16.8%	+13.2%	$6.72B	$3.44B	N/A	11,085	Analyst Downgrade
TECH Bio-Techne	3.7472 of 5 stars	$47.42 -1.9%	$66.77 +40.8%	-13.0%	$7.57B	$1.22B	68.73	3,100	Dividend Announcement
A Agilent Technologies	4.8896 of 5 stars	$111.73 -3.4%	$163.71 +46.5%	-2.4%	$32.67B	$6.95B	24.66	18,100
BIO Bio-Rad Laboratories	2.203 of 5 stars	$243.48 -4.3%	$333.00 +36.8%	-3.5%	$6.81B	$2.58B	40.11	7,450

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This page (NYSE:WAT) was last updated on 5/14/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.

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Waters (WAT) Competitors