Waters (NYSE:WAT) Price Target Raised to $470.00

Waters (NYSE:WAT) had its target price hoisted by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $435.00 to $470.00 in a research report released on Wednesday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have a neutral rating on the medical instruments supplier’s stock.

Several other brokerages have also recently commented on WAT. KeyCorp raised their target price on Waters from $460.00 to $500.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday. TD Cowen upped their price target on Waters from $515.00 to $530.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on Waters from $475.00 to $525.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Guggenheim raised their price objective on Waters from $440.00 to $490.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 1st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Waters from $370.00 to $400.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Waters has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $475.48.

Waters Trading Up 1.1%

Shares of WAT stock traded up $4.84 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $457.92. 695,768 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 995,254. The company has a quick ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 1.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $44.99 billion, a PE ratio of 196.53, a PEG ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 1.16. Waters has a 1-year low of $282.77 and a 1-year high of $482.28. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $434.72 and a 200 day moving average price of $372.24.

Waters (NYSE:WAT) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 3rd. The medical instruments supplier reported $4.10 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.00 by $0.10. Waters had a net margin of 3.58% and a return on equity of 11.27%. The firm had revenue of $1.77 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.75 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.40 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 120.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Waters will post 14.65 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of WAT. Diversified Trust Co increased its stake in shares of Waters by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 2,984 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $1,311,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares during the last quarter. Aberdeen Group plc lifted its stake in shares of Waters by 2,015.3% in the 3rd quarter. Aberdeen Group plc now owns 2,921,255 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $1,283,570,000 after purchasing an additional 2,783,151 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP bought a new stake in Waters in the third quarter worth $1,002,000. Fifth Third Bancorp bought a new stake in Waters in the third quarter worth $7,514,000. Finally, Maryland State Retirement & Pension System boosted its holdings in Waters by 9.7% in the third quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 5,895 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $2,590,000 after purchasing an additional 521 shares in the last quarter. 94.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Headlines Impacting Waters

Here are the key news stories impacting Waters this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Waters reported $1.77 billion in third-quarter 2026 revenue and raised its full-year guidance, signaling improved expectations for the business. Waters Corporation Reports $1.77 Billion in Third Quarter 2026 Revenue and Raises Full-Year Guidance
• Positive Sentiment: The company agreed to acquire MOBILion Systems, expanding its mass spectrometry and AI-powered proteomics capabilities. The strategic fit could broaden Waters’ technology offering, though the reported item does not quantify the deal’s financial impact. Waters Corporation Acquires MOBILion Systems
• Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan, Barclays, KeyCorp, TD Cowen, Citigroup, and RBC issued reports indicating higher price targets or strong potential appreciation, reinforcing a favorable analyst outlook. JPMorgan price target Barclays outlook KeyCorp outlook TD Cowen price target Citigroup price target RBC outlook

About Waters

Waters Corporation develops and supplies analytical instruments, software, and consumables used to identify, measure, and characterize chemical and biological materials. Its products include liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry systems, which help customers analyze complex samples.

The company serves pharmaceutical and biotechnology businesses, academic and government laboratories, and customers in fields such as food, environmental testing, and materials science. Waters operates internationally, with customers and operations across multiple regions.

Founded in 1958 by James L.