Waters (NYSE:WAT) Releases Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.19 EPS

Waters (NYSE:WAT) released its earnings results on Tuesday. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.40 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.21 by $0.19, Zacks reports. Waters had a return on equity of 38.60% and a net margin of 21.71%.The company had revenue of $799.89 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $780.05 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.93 EPS. Waters’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. Waters updated its FY 2025 guidance to 13.050-13.150 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance to 4.450-4.550 EPS.

Waters Stock Up 7.5%

Shares of Waters stock traded up $25.86 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $371.45. The company had a trading volume of 625,761 shares, compared to its average volume of 629,119. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $22.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.61, a P/E/G ratio of 3.19 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a 50 day moving average of $317.68 and a 200 day moving average of $324.75. Waters has a 52-week low of $275.05 and a 52-week high of $423.56.

Institutional Trading of Waters

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WAT. MUFG Securities EMEA plc purchased a new stake in Waters during the 2nd quarter valued at $61,000. State of Wyoming purchased a new stake in Waters during the 2nd quarter valued at $75,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in Waters during the 2nd quarter valued at $135,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Waters by 82.9% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 386 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $135,000 after purchasing an additional 175 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sivia Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Waters during the 2nd quarter valued at $232,000. 94.01% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

WAT has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Scotiabank reaffirmed a “sector outperform” rating and set a $465.00 price target on shares of Waters in a research report on Friday, July 11th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $385.00 price target on Waters and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, August 4th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Waters from $330.00 to $315.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Rothschild & Co Redburn initiated coverage on Waters in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. They set a “buy” rating and a $390.00 price target for the company. Finally, Redburn Partners set a $390.00 price target on Waters in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $375.54.

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.