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Waters (WAT) Competitors

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$412.37 +7.68 (+1.90%)
As of 08/21/2026 03:58 PM Eastern

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

Should you buy Waters stock or one of its competitors? Waters's main competitors and comparable companies include Bruker (BRKR), Bio-Techne (TECH), Agilent Technologies (A), Danaher (DHR), and IQVIA (IQV). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size. These companies are all part of the "life sciences tools & services" industry.

How does Waters compare to Bruker?

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

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.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Waters$3.17B12.80$642.63M$4.01102.84
Bruker$3.50B2.59-$8.60M-$0.70N/A

Waters has a beta of 1.19, suggesting that its share price is 19% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Bruker has a beta of 1.28, suggesting that its share price is 28% more volatile than the broader market.

94.0% of Waters shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 79.5% of Bruker shares are held by institutional investors. 0.3% of Waters shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 27.2% of Bruker shares are held by company 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.

Waters presently has a consensus price target of $420.35, indicating a potential upside of 1.94%. Bruker has a consensus price target of $56.64, indicating a potential downside of 4.90%. Given Waters' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, 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)
4 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
2 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.57

In the previous week, Waters had 15 more articles in the media than Bruker. MarketBeat recorded 24 mentions for Waters and 9 mentions for Bruker. Bruker's average media sentiment score of 1.63 beat Waters' score of 1.39 indicating that Bruker is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

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

Waters has a net margin of 3.58% compared to Bruker's net margin of -2.35%. Bruker's return on equity of 12.47% beat Waters' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Waters3.58% 11.27% 6.73%
Bruker -2.35%12.47%4.91%

Summary

Waters beats Bruker on 12 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Waters compare to Bio-Techne?

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

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Bio-Techne$1.22B9.32$181.86M$1.1562.89
Waters$3.17B12.80$642.63M$4.01102.84

99.0% of Bio-Techne shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 94.0% of Waters shares are held by institutional investors. 1.3% of Bio-Techne shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Waters shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Bio-Techne has a net margin of 14.97% compared to Waters' net margin of 3.58%. Bio-Techne's return on equity of 13.23% beat Waters' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Bio-Techne14.97% 13.23% 10.61%
Waters 3.58%11.27%6.73%

Bio-Techne currently has a consensus price target of $68.92, suggesting a potential downside of 4.70%. Waters has a consensus price target of $420.35, suggesting a potential upside of 1.94%. Given Waters' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Waters is more favorable than Bio-Techne.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Bio-Techne
1 Sell rating(s)
14 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.06
Waters
0 Sell rating(s)
8 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
3 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.75

Bio-Techne has a beta of 1.28, suggesting that its share price is 28% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Waters has a beta of 1.19, suggesting that its share price is 19% more volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, Waters had 9 more articles in the media than Bio-Techne. MarketBeat recorded 24 mentions for Waters and 15 mentions for Bio-Techne. Waters' average media sentiment score of 1.39 beat Bio-Techne's score of 1.20 indicating that Waters is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

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

Summary

Waters beats Bio-Techne on 11 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Waters compare to Agilent Technologies?

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

In the previous week, Agilent Technologies had 4 more articles in the media than Waters. MarketBeat recorded 28 mentions for Agilent Technologies and 24 mentions for Waters. Waters' average media sentiment score of 1.39 beat Agilent Technologies' score of 1.36 indicating that Waters is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

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

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.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Agilent Technologies$6.95B6.47$1.30B$4.9831.98
Waters$3.17B12.80$642.63M$4.01102.84

Agilent Technologies currently has a consensus target price of $160.24, suggesting a potential upside of 0.62%. Waters has a consensus target price of $420.35, suggesting a potential upside of 1.94%. Given Waters' higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Waters is more favorable than Agilent Technologies.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Agilent Technologies
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
13 Buy rating(s)
2 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.89
Waters
0 Sell rating(s)
8 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
3 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.75

Agilent Technologies has a beta of 1.25, meaning that its stock price is 25% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Waters has a beta of 1.19, meaning that its stock price is 19% more volatile than the broader market.

Agilent Technologies has a net margin of 19.55% compared to Waters' net margin of 3.58%. Agilent Technologies' return on equity of 24.33% beat Waters' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Agilent Technologies19.55% 24.33% 12.99%
Waters 3.58%11.27%6.73%

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

Summary

Agilent Technologies beats Waters on 10 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 healthcare companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, media sentiment, earnings, profitability, valuation and dividends.

79.1% of Danaher shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 94.0% of Waters shares are owned by institutional investors. 10.8% of Danaher shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Waters shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Danaher has a net margin of 15.95% compared to Waters' net margin of 3.58%. Waters' return on equity of 11.27% beat Danaher's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Danaher15.95% 11.04% 6.81%
Waters 3.58%11.27%6.73%

Danaher has a beta of 0.78, meaning that its share price is 22% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Waters has a beta of 1.19, meaning that its share price is 19% more volatile than the broader market.

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.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Danaher$24.57B6.28$3.61B$5.6338.97
Waters$3.17B12.80$642.63M$4.01102.84

In the previous week, Danaher had 86 more articles in the media than Waters. MarketBeat recorded 110 mentions for Danaher and 24 mentions for Waters. Danaher's average media sentiment score of 1.72 beat Waters' score of 1.39 indicating that Danaher is being referred to more favorably in the media.

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

Danaher presently has a consensus price target of $228.91, suggesting a potential upside of 4.33%. Waters has a consensus price target of $420.35, suggesting a potential upside of 1.94%. 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)
5 Hold rating(s)
19 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.84
Waters
0 Sell rating(s)
8 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
3 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.75

Summary

Danaher beats Waters on 11 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Waters compare to IQVIA?

Waters (NYSE:WAT) and IQVIA (NYSE:IQV) are both large-cap healthcare companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, media sentiment, valuation, dividends, risk and profitability.

Waters has a beta of 1.19, indicating that its stock price is 19% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, IQVIA has a beta of 1.18, indicating that its stock price is 18% more volatile than the broader market.

IQVIA has a net margin of 8.10% compared to Waters' net margin of 3.58%. IQVIA's return on equity of 30.25% beat Waters' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Waters3.58% 11.27% 6.73%
IQVIA 8.10%30.25%6.54%

Waters currently has a consensus target price of $420.35, suggesting a potential upside of 1.94%. IQVIA has a consensus target price of $241.88, suggesting a potential downside of 7.03%. Given Waters' higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Waters is more favorable than IQVIA.

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
IQVIA
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
13 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.88

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Waters$3.17B12.80$642.63M$4.01102.84
IQVIA$16.31B2.63$1.36B$8.0632.28

In the previous week, IQVIA had 7 more articles in the media than Waters. MarketBeat recorded 31 mentions for IQVIA and 24 mentions for Waters. IQVIA's average media sentiment score of 1.49 beat Waters' score of 1.39 indicating that IQVIA is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Waters
18 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
IQVIA
27 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

94.0% of Waters shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 89.6% of IQVIA shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.3% of Waters shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.7% of IQVIA shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

IQVIA beats Waters on 10 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.
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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.
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WAT vs. The Competition

MetricWatersLife Sciences Tools & Services IndustryHealthcare SectorNYSE Exchange
Market Cap$40.35B$10.24B$7.37B$24.30B
Dividend YieldN/A1.45%2.53%3.70%
P/E Ratio102.8461.54272.6030.31
Price / Sales12.80110.99624.3319.95
Price / Cash24.7027.0478.6232.49
Price / Book2.6737.3413.056.77
Net Income$642.63M$56.67B$3.47B$1.07B
7 Day Performance0.12%5.24%2.09%-0.65%
1 Month Performance7.84%9.02%6.64%3.38%
1 Year Performance36.58%24.45%25.02%14.90%

Waters Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
WAT
Waters
2.8296 of 5 stars
$412.37
+1.9%
$420.35
+1.9%
+36.6%$40.35B$3.17B102.847,900
BRKR
Bruker
3 of 5 stars
$57.67
-0.1%
$56.64
-1.8%
+67.6%$8.79B$3.44BN/A11,085
TECH
Bio-Techne
3.2183 of 5 stars
$72.39
0.0%
$68.92
-4.8%
+26.7%$11.34B$1.22B62.953,100
A
Agilent Technologies
4.5125 of 5 stars
$148.65
+0.1%
$160.24
+7.8%
+31.1%$41.95B$6.95B29.8518,100
DHR
Danaher
4.0261 of 5 stars
$202.44
0.0%
$228.91
+13.1%
+3.6%$142.32B$24.57B35.9660,000

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This page (NYSE:WAT) was last updated on 8/23/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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