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Waters (WAT) Competitors

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$372.80 -3.63 (-0.96%)
Closing price 07/13/2026 03:59 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$373.15 +0.34 (+0.09%)
As of 07/13/2026 06:18 PM Eastern
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WAT vs. BRKR, TECH, A, DHR, and IQV

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), Danaher (DHR), and IQVIA (IQV).

How does Waters compare to Bruker?

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

Waters has lower revenue, but higher earnings 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
Bruker$3.44B2.61-$8.60M-$0.24N/A
Waters$3.17B11.56$642.63M$7.8747.37

Bruker presently has a consensus price target of $56.79, suggesting a potential downside of 3.70%. Waters has a consensus price target of $400.37, suggesting a potential upside of 7.39%. Given Waters' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Waters is more favorable than Bruker.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Bruker
2 Sell rating(s)
6 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.44
Waters
0 Sell rating(s)
9 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
4 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.77

79.5% of Bruker shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 94.0% of Waters shares are held by institutional investors. 27.2% of Bruker 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 will outperform the market over the long term.

In the previous week, Waters had 15 more articles in the media than Bruker. MarketBeat recorded 20 mentions for Waters and 5 mentions for Bruker. Bruker's average media sentiment score of 1.63 beat Waters' score of 0.93 indicating that Bruker is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Bruker
3 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive
Waters
10 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

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
Bruker-0.65% 11.60% 4.25%
Waters 11.91%15.60%8.90%

Bruker has a beta of 1.29, indicating that its stock price is 29% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Waters has a beta of 1.2, indicating that its stock price is 20% more volatile than the broader market.

Summary

Waters beats Bruker on 13 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 large-cap medical companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, media sentiment and risk.

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
Waters11.91% 15.60% 8.90%
Bio-Techne 9.05%13.57%10.66%

94.0% of Waters shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 99.0% 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 large money managers, endowments and hedge funds 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.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Waters$3.17B11.56$642.63M$7.8747.37
Bio-Techne$1.22B9.16$73.40M$0.69103.42

Waters currently has a consensus target price of $400.37, suggesting a potential upside of 7.39%. Bio-Techne has a consensus target price of $68.08, suggesting a potential downside of 4.60%. 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
Waters
0 Sell rating(s)
9 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
4 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.77
Bio-Techne
1 Sell rating(s)
13 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.12

In the previous week, Waters had 13 more articles in the media than Bio-Techne. MarketBeat recorded 20 mentions for Waters and 7 mentions for Bio-Techne. Waters' average media sentiment score of 0.93 beat Bio-Techne's score of 0.53 indicating that Waters is being referred to more favorably in the media.

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

Waters has a beta of 1.2, meaning that its share price is 20% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Bio-Techne has a beta of 1.29, meaning that its share price is 29% more volatile than the broader market.

Summary

Waters beats Bio-Techne on 12 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 medical companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their media sentiment, institutional ownership, risk, earnings, profitability, dividends, valuation and analyst recommendations.

Agilent Technologies has a beta of 1.25, indicating that its stock price is 25% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Waters has a beta of 1.2, indicating that its stock price is 20% more volatile than the broader market.

Agilent Technologies has a net margin of 19.55% compared to Waters' net margin of 11.91%. 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 11.91%15.60%8.90%

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$6.95B5.45$1.30B$4.9826.91
Waters$3.17B11.56$642.63M$7.8747.37

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

Agilent Technologies presently has a consensus target price of $159.35, indicating a potential upside of 18.92%. Waters has a consensus target price of $400.37, indicating a potential upside of 7.39%. Given Agilent Technologies' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Agilent Technologies is more favorable than Waters.

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)
9 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
4 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.77

In the previous week, Waters had 7 more articles in the media than Agilent Technologies. MarketBeat recorded 20 mentions for Waters and 13 mentions for Agilent Technologies. Waters' average media sentiment score of 0.93 beat Agilent Technologies' score of 0.90 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
8 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Waters
10 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

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

How does Waters compare to Danaher?

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

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
Waters11.91% 15.60% 8.90%
Danaher 14.89%10.91%6.94%

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
Waters$3.17B11.56$642.63M$7.8747.37
Danaher$24.57B5.77$3.61B$5.1738.77

Waters has a beta of 1.2, suggesting that its stock price is 20% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Danaher has a beta of 0.79, suggesting that its stock price is 21% less volatile than the broader market.

Waters presently has a consensus target price of $400.37, suggesting a potential upside of 7.39%. Danaher has a consensus target price of $231.64, suggesting a potential upside of 15.56%. Given Danaher's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Danaher is more favorable than Waters.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Waters
0 Sell rating(s)
9 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
4 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.77
Danaher
1 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
18 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.79

In the previous week, Danaher had 3 more articles in the media than Waters. MarketBeat recorded 23 mentions for Danaher and 20 mentions for Waters. Danaher's average media sentiment score of 1.11 beat Waters' score of 0.93 indicating that Danaher is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Waters
10 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Danaher
17 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
1 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

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

Summary

Danaher beats Waters on 9 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 medical companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, dividends, valuation, risk, earnings, profitability, media sentiment and institutional ownership.

In the previous week, Waters had 6 more articles in the media than IQVIA. MarketBeat recorded 20 mentions for Waters and 14 mentions for IQVIA. IQVIA's average media sentiment score of 1.10 beat Waters' score of 0.93 indicating that IQVIA is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Waters
10 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
IQVIA
8 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 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 company insiders. Comparatively, 1.7% of IQVIA shares are owned 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.

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$3.17B11.56$642.63M$7.8747.37
IQVIA$16.31B2.12$1.36B$8.0725.70

Waters has a net margin of 11.91% compared to IQVIA's net margin of 8.33%. IQVIA's return on equity of 30.50% beat Waters' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Waters11.91% 15.60% 8.90%
IQVIA 8.33%30.50%6.53%

Waters has a beta of 1.2, meaning that its share price is 20% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, IQVIA has a beta of 1.2, meaning that its share price is 20% more volatile than the broader market.

Waters presently has a consensus target price of $400.37, suggesting a potential upside of 7.39%. IQVIA has a consensus target price of $225.71, suggesting a potential upside of 8.83%. Given IQVIA's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe IQVIA is more favorable than Waters.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Waters
0 Sell rating(s)
9 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
4 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.77
IQVIA
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
14 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.82

Summary

IQVIA beats Waters on 9 of the 16 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

MetricWatersMED INSTRUMENTS IndustryMedical SectorNYSE Exchange
Market Cap$36.96B$7.63B$7.05B$23.46B
Dividend YieldN/A1.32%2.68%4.02%
P/E Ratio47.3750.2827.1131.08
Price / Sales11.5676.45587.9219.77
Price / Cash22.6426.8529.2218.64
Price / Book8.677.3210.754.77
Net Income$642.63M$162.30M$3.58B$1.06B
7 Day Performance-0.57%-0.99%-2.06%-0.23%
1 Month Performance4.99%0.19%3.32%-0.11%
1 Year Performance22.66%4.08%26.35%16.46%

Waters Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
WAT
Waters
3.2864 of 5 stars
$372.81
-1.0%
$400.37
+7.4%
+5.6%$36.96B$3.17B47.377,900
BRKR
Bruker
3.0526 of 5 stars
$61.34
-0.5%
$54.54
-11.1%
+34.7%$9.38B$3.44BN/A11,085
TECH
Bio-Techne
2.1725 of 5 stars
$70.92
+0.1%
$67.79
-4.4%
+31.8%$11.09B$1.22B102.783,100
A
Agilent Technologies
4.9234 of 5 stars
$130.78
+0.1%
$160.88
+23.0%
+8.6%$36.91B$6.95B26.2618,100
DHR
Danaher
4.6531 of 5 stars
$193.62
-2.2%
$233.52
+20.6%
-2.1%$140.09B$24.57B37.4560,000

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This page (NYSE:WAT) was last updated on 7/14/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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