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Waters (WAT) Competitors

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$379.76 +7.83 (+2.10%)
Closing price 03:58 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$380.01 +0.25 (+0.07%)
As of 07:58 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?

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

In the previous week, Waters had 10 more articles in the media than Bruker. MarketBeat recorded 18 mentions for Waters and 8 mentions for Bruker. Waters' average media sentiment score of 0.59 beat Bruker's score of 0.54 indicating that Waters is being referred to more favorably in the media.

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

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 large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Waters currently has a consensus price target of $394.24, indicating a potential upside of 3.81%. Bruker has a consensus price target of $50.54, indicating a potential downside of 19.40%. Given Waters' stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly 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)
6 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.40

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
Waters11.91% 15.60% 8.90%
Bruker -0.65%11.60%4.25%

Waters has a beta of 1.21, suggesting that its share price is 21% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Bruker has a beta of 1.31, suggesting that its share price is 31% 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.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Waters$3.17B11.78$642.63M$7.8748.25
Bruker$3.44B2.78-$8.60M-$0.24N/A

Summary

Waters beats Bruker on 14 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 medical companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, profitability, media sentiment, risk, valuation, dividends and earnings.

Bio-Techne has a beta of 1.37, suggesting that its stock price is 37% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Waters has a beta of 1.21, suggesting that its stock price is 21% more volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, Waters had 17 more articles in the media than Bio-Techne. MarketBeat recorded 18 mentions for Waters and 1 mentions for Bio-Techne. Bio-Techne's average media sentiment score of 1.89 beat Waters' score of 0.59 indicating that Bio-Techne is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Overall Sentiment
Bio-Techne Very Positive
Waters Positive

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, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Bio-Techne currently has a consensus price target of $65.92, suggesting a potential upside of 29.64%. Waters has a consensus price target of $394.24, suggesting a potential upside of 3.81%. Given Bio-Techne's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Bio-Techne is more favorable than Waters.

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

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
Bio-Techne9.05% 13.57% 10.66%
Waters 11.91%15.60%8.90%

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
Bio-Techne$1.22B6.53$73.40M$0.6973.70
Waters$3.17B11.78$642.63M$7.8748.25

Summary

Bio-Techne and Waters tied by winning 8 of the 16 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 earnings, institutional ownership, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations, risk, media sentiment and valuation.

In the previous week, Agilent Technologies had 23 more articles in the media than Waters. MarketBeat recorded 41 mentions for Agilent Technologies and 18 mentions for Waters. Agilent Technologies' average media sentiment score of 0.77 beat Waters' score of 0.59 indicating that Agilent Technologies is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Agilent Technologies
16 Very Positive mention(s)
6 Positive mention(s)
11 Neutral mention(s)
2 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Waters
6 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
7 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Agilent Technologies has a beta of 1.26, suggesting that its stock price is 26% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Waters has a beta of 1.21, suggesting that its stock price is 21% more volatile than the broader market.

94.0% of Waters shares are held by institutional investors. 0.3% of Waters shares are held 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.

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$6.95B5.61$1.30B$4.9827.71
Waters$3.17B11.78$642.63M$7.8748.25

Agilent Technologies currently has a consensus price target of $161.71, indicating a potential upside of 17.18%. Waters has a consensus price target of $394.24, indicating a potential upside of 3.81%. Given Agilent Technologies' stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research 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)
2 Hold rating(s)
13 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.94
Waters
0 Sell rating(s)
8 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
3 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.75

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%

Summary

Agilent Technologies beats Waters on 11 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 superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, dividends, media sentiment, profitability, risk and earnings.

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$3.17B11.78$642.63M$7.8748.25
Danaher$24.57B5.14$3.61B$5.1734.51

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%

In the previous week, Danaher had 2 more articles in the media than Waters. MarketBeat recorded 20 mentions for Danaher and 18 mentions for Waters. Danaher's average media sentiment score of 0.80 beat Waters' score of 0.59 indicating that Danaher is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

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

Waters has a beta of 1.21, indicating that its stock price is 21% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Danaher has a beta of 0.81, indicating that its stock price is 19% less volatile than the broader market.

Waters currently has a consensus price target of $394.24, indicating a potential upside of 3.81%. Danaher has a consensus price target of $235.14, indicating a potential upside of 31.81%. Given Danaher's stronger consensus rating and higher possible 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)
8 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
3 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.75
Danaher
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
20 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.83

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

Summary

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

How does Waters compare to IQVIA?

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

IQVIA currently has a consensus price target of $224.13, indicating a potential upside of 23.06%. Waters has a consensus price target of $394.24, indicating a potential upside of 3.81%. Given IQVIA's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts clearly believe IQVIA is more favorable than Waters.

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

In the previous week, Waters had 10 more articles in the media than IQVIA. MarketBeat recorded 18 mentions for Waters and 8 mentions for IQVIA. Waters' average media sentiment score of 0.59 beat IQVIA's score of 0.10 indicating that Waters is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
IQVIA
0 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Waters
6 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
7 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

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
IQVIA8.33% 30.50% 6.53%
Waters 11.91%15.60%8.90%

89.6% of IQVIA shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 94.0% of Waters shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.7% of IQVIA shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 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 stock will outperform the market over the long term.

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
IQVIA$16.31B1.86$1.36B$8.0722.57
Waters$3.17B11.78$642.63M$7.8748.25

IQVIA has a beta of 1.21, meaning that its stock price is 21% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Waters has a beta of 1.21, meaning that its stock price is 21% more volatile than the broader market.

Summary

IQVIA and Waters tied by winning 8 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$36.52B$7.25B$6.47B$23.28B
Dividend YieldN/A1.23%2.69%4.06%
P/E Ratio48.2536.9918.8928.24
Price / Sales11.7874.02520.7923.82
Price / Cash22.3724.2241.3424.93
Price / Book8.837.159.844.67
Net Income$642.63M$159.22M$3.57B$1.07B
7 Day Performance10.71%0.91%-1.16%-0.67%
1 Month Performance23.61%3.99%3.85%0.22%
1 Year Performance8.59%1.56%27.40%25.44%

Waters Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
WAT
Waters
2.7243 of 5 stars
$379.76
+2.1%
$394.24
+3.8%
+8.3%$36.52B$3.17B48.257,900
BRKR
Bruker
1.846 of 5 stars
$45.69
flat
$50.54
+10.6%
+56.0%$6.96B$3.44BN/A11,085
TECH
Bio-Techne
4.1236 of 5 stars
$48.21
flat
$65.92
+36.7%
+2.4%$7.55B$1.22B69.873,100
A
Agilent Technologies
4.6917 of 5 stars
$115.01
+0.0%
$163.71
+42.4%
+21.7%$32.49B$6.95B25.3918,100
DHR
Danaher
4.7276 of 5 stars
$172.12
+0.1%
$238.65
+38.7%
-6.9%$121.74B$24.57B33.2960,000

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This page (NYSE:WAT) was last updated on 6/3/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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