Leerink Partnrs Comments on Waters’ Q1 Earnings (NYSE:WAT)

Waters Co. (NYSE:WAT) – Stock analysts at Leerink Partnrs lowered their Q1 2025 earnings per share estimates for shares of Waters in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, February 12th. Leerink Partnrs analyst P. Souda now forecasts that the medical instruments supplier will post earnings per share of $2.21 for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $2.45. The consensus estimate for Waters’ current full-year earnings is $11.79 per share. Leerink Partnrs also issued estimates for Waters’ Q1 2025 earnings at $2.21 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $4.42 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $4.42 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $12.84 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $14.05 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $14.05 EPS.

Several other brokerages also recently commented on WAT. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on Waters from $332.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Bank of America reduced their price objective on Waters from $430.00 to $410.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Waters from $415.00 to $420.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Waters from $340.00 to $380.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Finally, Barclays raised Waters from an “underweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $360.00 to $415.00 in a research note on Monday, February 10th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $390.40.

Waters Stock Down 2.5 %

Shares of Waters stock opened at $369.71 on Monday. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $389.84 and its 200 day moving average is $364.75. The firm has a market cap of $21.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.28, a PEG ratio of 7.37 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 2.02 and a quick ratio of 1.38. Waters has a one year low of $279.24 and a one year high of $423.56.

Waters (NYSE:WAT) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The medical instruments supplier reported $4.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.02 by $0.08. Waters had a return on equity of 49.93% and a net margin of 21.43%.

Institutional Trading of Waters

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Waters during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Kennebec Savings Bank acquired a new position in Waters in the third quarter worth approximately $33,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust purchased a new position in Waters during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC boosted its stake in shares of Waters by 235.7% during the 4th quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 94 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 66 shares during the period. Finally, Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its stake in shares of Waters by 129.3% in the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 94 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. 94.01% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Waters

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.