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With a market cap of $20.2 billion, Waters Corporation (WAT) is a global leader in analytical instruments and laboratory solutions. Operating through its Waters and TA Divisions, the company designs, manufactures, and services high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and thermal analysis systems.
Companies valued at more than $10 billion are generally considered “large-cap” stocks, and Waters Corporation fits this criterion perfectly. Its innovative products support pharmaceutical, life science, industrial, and governmental customers across Asia, the Americas, and Europe in research, development, and quality assurance applications.
Shares of the Milford, Massachusetts-based company have fallen 19.9% from its 52-week high of $423.56. Over the past three months, shares of WAT have declined 11.2%, underperforming the 9.3% dip of the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) during the same period.
Longer term, WAT stock is down 8.5% on a YTD basis, a steeper decline than XLV’s 3.2% drop. However, shares of Waters Corporation have returned 15.3% over the past 52 weeks, surpassing XLV’s 8.7% decline over the same time frame.
The stock has been trading below its 200-day moving average since April.
Despite reporting better-than-expected Q1 2025 adjusted EPS of $2.25 and revenue of $661.7 million, WAT shares fell 2.7% on May 6, likely due to investor concerns over macroeconomic uncertainties and tariff impacts. However, the company raised its full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $12.75 - $13.05 and constant currency sales growth to 5% - 7%.
WAT stock has outperformed its rival, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO). TMO stock has fallen 31% over the past 52 weeks and 24.5% on a YTD basis.
Despite the stock’s outperformance over the past year, analysts are cautiously optimistic about its prospects. The stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the 18 analysts covering the stock, and as of writing, it is trading below the mean price target of $393.
On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
