Waters Corporation WAT
- Market cap
- $42.3B
- P/E
- 108×
Follow WAT
Target Price Range
Analyst price targets
Free account| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 112.00 | 134.68 | 167.94 | 174.95 | 154.39 | 244.77 | 265.61 | 231.90 | 279.24 | 275.05 |
Analyst estimates 2026–2028 Powerpack |
Low Price
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| 162.53 | 201.95 | 220.20 | 255.21 | 252.67 | 428.22 | 372.24 | 350.97 | 397.02 | 423.56 |
High Price
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| 6,900 | 7,000 | 7,200 | 7,500 | 7,400 | 7,800 | 8,200 | 7,900 | 7,600 | 7,900 |
Employees
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| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Revenue/Emp
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| 2,167 | 2,309 | 2,420 | 2,407 | 2,365 | 2,786 | 2,972 | 2,956 | 2,958 | 3,165 |
Revenue
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| 58.87% | 58.99% | 58.98% | 58.00% | 57.44% | 58.49% | 58.00% | 59.57% | 59.43% | 59.28% |
Gross Margin
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| 600 | 641 | 682 | 678 | 611 | 806 | 838 | 736 | 755 | 755 |
EBT
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| 27.69% | 27.76% | 28.19% | 28.18% | 25.83% | 28.94% | 28.19% | 24.90% | 25.52% | 23.85% |
EBT Margin
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| 522 | 20 | 594 | 592 | 522 | 693 | 708 | 642 | 638 | 643 |
Net Income
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| 96 | 106 | 108 | 105 | 125 | 132 | 130 | 166 | 192 | 206 |
Depreciation
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| 26.83 | 28.94 | 31.43 | 35.59 | 38.09 | 45.24 | 49.55 | 50.04 | 49.86 | 53.19 |
Revenue/Sh
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| 6.46 | 0.25 | 7.71 | 8.76 | 8.40 | 11.25 | 11.80 | 10.87 | 10.75 | 10.80 |
Earnings/Sh
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| 7.96 | 8.74 | 7.85 | 9.51 | 12.73 | 12.14 | 10.20 | 10.20 | 12.84 | 10.97 |
Cash Flow/Sh
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| (1.13) | (1.13) | (1.25) | (2.42) | (4.07) | (2.73) | (3.06) | (24.43) | (2.40) | (2.44) |
Capex/Sh
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| 6.83 | 7.61 | 6.60 | 7.09 | 8.66 | 9.40 | 7.14 | (14.22) | 10.44 | 8.53 |
Free CF/Sh
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| 28.49 | 27.99 | 20.36 | (3.20) | 3.74 | 5.97 | 8.41 | 19.47 | 30.82 | 43.04 |
Book Value/Sh
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| 81 | 80 | 77 | 68 | 62 | 62 | 60 | 59 | 59 | 60 |
Shares
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| 21.09 | 815.38 | 24.37 | 26.40 | 29.49 | 33.06 | 29.24 | 30.18 | 34.48 | 35.20 |
PE Ratio
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| 5.09 | 6.76 | 6.00 | 6.57 | 6.50 | 8.24 | 6.98 | 6.57 | 7.44 | 7.14 |
PS Ratio
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| 4.79 | 6.99 | 9.27 | 0.00 | 66.18 | 62.42 | 41.09 | 16.88 | 12.04 | 8.82 |
PB Ratio
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| 4.57 | 6.11 | 5.76 | 7.08 | 6.82 | 8.57 | 7.33 | 7.21 | 7.88 | 7.25 |
EV/Sales
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| 18.50 | 23.25 | 27.69 | 35.94 | 30.28 | 41.26 | 50.85 | (25.38) | 37.62 | 45.24 |
EV/FCF
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| 643 | 698 | 604 | 643 | 791 | 747 | 612 | 603 | 762 | 653 |
Op' Cash Flow
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| (91) | (90) | (96) | (164) | (253) | (168) | (183) | (1,443) | (142) | (145) |
Capex
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| 552 | 607 | 508 | 479 | 538 | 579 | 428 | (840) | 620 | 508 |
FCF
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| 3,115 | 3,664 | 2,214 | 721 | 596 | 948 | 978 | 963 | 879 | 908 |
Working Cap'
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| 1,702 | 1,898 | 1,148 | 1,581 | 1,207 | 1,514 | 1,525 | 2,306 | 1,626 | 947 |
Total Debt
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| (1,111) | (1,496) | (587) | 1,244 | 763 | 945 | 1,043 | 1,910 | 1,301 | 360 |
Net Debt
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| 2,302 | 2,234 | 1,567 | (216) | 232 | 368 | 504 | 1,150 | 1,829 | 2,561 |
Sh' Equity
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| 11.68% | 0.41% | 13.12% | 18.85% | 19.33% | 23.35% | 22.20% | 16.24% | 13.90% | 13.35% |
ROA
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| 32.80% | 56.11% | 47.17% | 43.10% | 40.52% | 39.14% | 35.26% | 16.70% | 16.50% | 17.17% |
ROIC
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| 23.92% | 0.90% | 31.24% | 87.67% | 6,576.65% | 231.06% | 162.32% | 77.62% | 42.82% | 29.28% |
ROE
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Waters Corporation peers in Diagnostics & Research
| Company | Market cap | P/E | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| ILMN Illumina, Inc. | $41.3B | 50.4× | Compare |
| IDXX IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. | $40.2B | 36.2× | Compare |
| IQV IQVIA Holdings Inc. | $45.3B | 33.3× | Compare |
| A Agilent Technologies, Inc. | $49.0B | 33.9× | Compare |
| Company | Market cap | P/E | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTD Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. | $30.4B | 33.9× | Compare |
| NTRA Natera, Inc. | $59.2B | 0.0× | Compare |
| DGX Quest Diagnostics Incorporated | $26.2B | 24.8× | Compare |
| GH Guardant Health, Inc. | $23.9B | 0.0× | Compare |
WAT metrics, ten years each
- Revenue
- Net income
- EBITDA
- Free cash flow
- Operating cash flow
- Gross margin
- Operating margin
- Net margin
- Free cash flow margin
- P/E ratio
- P/S ratio
- P/B ratio
- Price to free cash flow
- EV/EBITDA
- EV/Sales
- Return on equity
- Return on assets
- Return on invested capital
- Debt to equity
- Current ratio
- Total debt
- Shares outstanding
- Book value per share
- Revenue growth
Waters Corporation (WAT) key facts
- Waters Corporation (WAT) is a Diagnostics & Research company in the Healthcare sector, listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
- Waters Corporation’s revenue for fiscal 2025 (year ended December 2025) was $3.2 billion, up 6.99% from fiscal 2024.
- As of September 25, 2026, WAT traded at $433.54, a market capitalization of $42.3 billion.
- Return on equity was 29.3% and debt-to-equity 0.32.
Waters Corporation (WAT) Latest News
26 Sep
Waters Corporation topped Q2 expectations with 9% organic growth, above the guided 6–8%, as instruments and services grew in the high single digits and chemistry doubled. AI demand and replacement cycles are expanding opportunities for lab software, consumables and quality-control workflows, with visibility into instrument replacement demand through 2027. The BD acquisition integration is progressing ahead of schedule, aiming for a $200 million annualized cost-synergy run rate by year-end and additional savings in procurement, manufacturing and distribution. End markets were broad: pharma and life sciences posted double-digit growth; China and India delivered strong results. Growth products include the Alliance iS platform for QC, Xevo TQ Absolute and TQ Absolute XR for PFAS testing, and Xevo MRT for drug discovery; reshoring and ongoing replacement cycles remain meaningful through 2030. Integration of the carved-out BD business remains challenging. AI-driven demand, instrument replacement cycles and faster BD synergies provide meaningful upside to Waters' growth and margins.
24 Sep
Waters Corporation (WAT) is labeled the sole growth-stock with 'all-star potential' in StockStory’s piece, with two peers deemed riskier. Waters, founded in 1958, makes analytical instruments for liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and thermal analysis, and posted 52.5% revenue growth in the last year. The forecast calls for about 48.6% revenue growth in the next year. The report praises solid free cash flow relative to peers, strong returns on capital, and reinvestment opportunities, implying a cushion for expansion. At $420.75 per share, Waters trades at roughly 27.3x forward earnings. By contrast, The Pennant Group and Flutter Entertainment are viewed as less favorable due to scale, cash-flow, debt, or revenue-base concerns. A free comprehensive Waters report is suggested for more details. Strong near-term growth and cash flow support upside, but absence of transformative catalysts keeps upside limited.
23 Sep
Waters Corporation (WAT) was named a top contributor in Madison Mid Cap Fund’s Q2 2026 investor letter. The life-science tools maker benefited from solid results in its legacy Waters segment and from recently acquired biosciences and diagnostics businesses from Becton Dickinson, helping drive outperformance as AI infrastructure exposure boosts the broader market. As of September 22, 2026, Waters closed at $425.74, with a 1-month gain of 2.79% and a 52-week rise of 45.48%. The company has a roughly $41.8 billion market cap. The letter notes Waters sits among AI-linked beneficiaries, though the fund remains cautious on broader AI stock valuations and explores other AI names with potentially greater upside and lower downside risk. Madison’s review also cites hedge-fund ownership (64 portfolios end-Q2) and notes AI-driven risk/return dynamics for mid-cap names. Inclusion as a top Q2 contributor boosts near-term investor visibility and sentiment for Waters, though it doesn't change long-term fundamentals.
18 Sep
Waters launches BD FACSDiscover A7 for advanced flow cytometry. New product launch in flow cytometry expands offerings and supports revenue growth.
14 Sep
Waters launches BD FACSDiscover A7 Cell Analyzer, establishing benchmark for standardized spectral flow cytometry. Product launch advances Waters cytometry offerings and market positioning.
Waters launches BD FACSDiscover A7 Cell Analyzer commercially, establishing benchmark for standardized spectral flow cytometry. New cell analyzer launch introduces product innovation that may improve Waters positioning in flow cytometry without altering overall trajectory.
3 Sep
Waters Corporation undergoes leadership shift and upgrades outlook, positioning changes as potential game changers for operations and market performance. Leadership transition paired with raised guidance signals fundamental redefinition of competitive position and long-term prospects.
Waters Corporation raised its financial guidance, prompting questions on whether its stock remains undervalued. Guidance increase signals stronger future results that can shift valuation and investor views.
12 Aug
Waters Corporation's Q2 earnings call drew analyst questions on financial results, operational challenges, product demand, and strategic priorities. Analyst questions from the earnings call highlight investor focus on performance metrics that may shape near-term sentiment without altering long-term trajectory.
11 Aug
Waters Corporation held its Q2 2026 earnings call, reporting quarterly financial results and providing forward-looking guidance on operations and market conditions. Earnings call delivers quarterly results and guidance that can shift near-term investor sentiment and valuation without signaling structural change.
10 Aug
Waters Corporation (WAT) is presented as a surging stock with strong competitive advantages while two other stocks are rejected. Competitive advantages cited for WAT may modestly support investor sentiment and positioning in analytical instruments.
9 Aug
Waters Corporation released Q2 earnings call highlights covering financial results, operational updates and forward outlook for the analytical instruments maker. Quarterly earnings highlights typically move short-term sentiment and valuations but rarely alter long-term company trajectory.
8 Aug
Waters Corporation launches Xevo TQ Absolute XR IVD for clinical labs. New Xevo TQ Absolute XR IVD product launch targets clinical labs and can materially expand Waters revenue and competitive positioning in diagnostics.
5 Aug
Waters Q2 earnings surpassed estimates and the company raised its 2026 revenue growth outlook. Earnings beat paired with raised multi-year revenue guidance signals stronger business momentum that can lift valuation and investor sentiment.
4 Aug
Waters Corp reported strong organic growth in Q2 2026 and raised guidance. Strong organic growth and raised guidance signal major positive shifts in Waters Corporation's performance and investor expectations.
Waters Corporation held Q2 2026 earnings call covering quarterly financial results, revenue, guidance and operational updates. Earnings call provides performance details and outlook that can moderately shift near-term investor sentiment and valuation.
Waters Corporation exceeded second-quarter forecasts driven by continued broad-based growth across operations. Quarterly forecast exceedance with broad growth points to moderately noticeable but limited effects on trajectory.
Waters Corporation exceeded Q2 CY2026 expectations. Quarterly earnings beats typically produce moderate stock price gains and sentiment shifts without altering long-term company trajectory.
Waters Corporation reported second quarter 2026 financial results. Quarterly results update financial metrics and may shift near-term investor views without indicating major strategic shifts.
3 Aug
Waters Corporation prepares to report Q2 earnings with analysts providing revenue and EPS forecasts amid standard market anticipation. Q2 earnings preview may moderately affect near-term stock sentiment without altering long-term company trajectory.
27 Jul
Waters launches Xevo TQ Absolute XR IVD Mass Spectrometer as industry's most sensitive and robust clinical IVD system. New clinical IVD mass spectrometer launch targets core diagnostics market and strengthens competitive positioning.
Waters launches Xevo TQ Absolute XR IVD Mass Spectrometer as the industry's most sensitive and robust clinical IVD system. Major new clinical mass spectrometry product directly strengthens Waters' competitive position and revenue potential.
Waters launches the Xevo TQ Absolute XR IVD Mass Spectrometer, positioned as the industry's most sensitive and robust clinical IVD system. Major new product launch in clinical mass spectrometry can significantly strengthen competitive position and revenue outlook.
17 Jul
Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) led Q1 earnings results in the Research Tools & Consumables sector. Top Q1 sector ranking highlights positive earnings and may lift near-term investor views without altering long-term trajectory.
24 Jun
IMU Biosciences selected Waters Corporation technology to power its AI immune mapping platform for early disease diagnosis, patient monitoring and precision medicine applications. Single technology selection by IMU Biosciences offers moderate visibility gain for Waters in AI diagnostics but does not alter core revenue trajectory.
IMU Biosciences selects Waters to advance its AI immune mapping platform for early diagnosis, monitoring, and precision medicine. Partnership expands Waters technology use in AI diagnostics with moderate revenue and positioning upside.
Waters Corporation reported Q1 earnings, leading to analysis of whether investors should buy, sell or hold WAT stock based on financial results and outlook. Q1 earnings provide moderate insight into financial performance that may influence near-term investor sentiment without major strategic shifts.
12 Jun
Waters Corporation introduces new tools as investors assess potential upside from biologics and battery sectors. New tool launches target biologics and battery growth areas with potential to drive significant future performance gains.
9 Jun
Waters Corporation launched Coin Cell Differential Scanning Calorimeter integrating thermal, evolved gas, and electrochemical analysis to advance battery safety. New product launch targets battery analysis applications with integrated measurement capabilities.
Waters launches Coin Cell Differential Scanning Calorimeter integrating thermal, evolved gas, and electrochemical analysis to advance battery safety testing. New product launch targets growing battery analysis segment with moderate potential to support instrument sales growth.