Breaking Down Waters: 10 Analysts Share Their Views

10 analysts have shared their evaluations of Waters (NYSE:WAT) during the recent three months, expressing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.

Summarizing their recent assessments, the table below illustrates the evolving sentiments in the past 30 days and compares them to the preceding months.

	Bullish	Somewhat Bullish	Indifferent	Somewhat Bearish	Bearish
Total Ratings	2	2	6	0	0
Last 30D	0	0	1	0	0
1M Ago	2	1	3	0	0
2M Ago	0	0	0	0	0
3M Ago	0	1	2	0	0

Analysts' evaluations of 12-month price targets offer additional insights, showcasing an average target of $404.3, with a high estimate of $480.00 and a low estimate of $350.00. Highlighting a 1.71% decrease, the current average has fallen from the previous average price target of $411.33.

Interpreting Analyst Ratings: A Closer Look

An in-depth analysis of recent analyst actions unveils how financial experts perceive Waters. The following summary outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.

Analyst	Analyst Firm	Action Taken	Rating	Current Price Target	Prior Price Target
Kallum Titchmarsh	Morgan Stanley	Lowers	Equal-Weight	$350.00	$423.00
Brandon Couillard	Wells Fargo	Lowers	Equal-Weight	$355.00	$415.00
Luke Sergott	Barclays	Announces	Overweight	$400.00	-
Dan Leonard	UBS	Lowers	Neutral	$370.00	$395.00
Subbu Nambi	Guggenheim	Maintains	Buy	$440.00	$440.00
Derik De Bruin	B of A Securities	Lowers	Neutral	$350.00	$410.00
Sidharth Sahoo	HSBC	Announces	Buy	$460.00	-
Brandon Couillard	Wells Fargo	Raises	Equal-Weight	$415.00	$385.00
Doug Schenkel	Wolfe Research	Announces	Outperform	$480.00	-
Kallum Titchmarsh	Morgan Stanley	Announces	Equal-Weight	$423.00	-

Key Insights:

• Action Taken: Analysts adapt their recommendations to changing market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their response to recent developments related to Waters. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.
• Rating: Providing a comprehensive analysis, analysts offer qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of Waters compared to the broader market.
• Price Targets: Analysts explore the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of Waters's stock. This examination reveals shifts in analysts' expectations over time.

For valuable insights into Waters's market performance, consider these analyst evaluations alongside crucial financial indicators. Stay well-informed and make prudent decisions using our Ratings Table.

Stay up to date on Waters analyst ratings.

Delving into Waters's Background

Water sells liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and thermal analysis tools. These analytical instruments provide essential information on various products, such as their molecular structures and physical properties, to help clients enhance the health and well-being of end users. As a percentage of sales in 2024, Waters generated 58% from biopharmaceutical customers, 31% from industrial clients, and 11% from academic/government institutions. In early 2026, Waters plans to merge with BD's life science and diagnostics business, which will substantially change those concentrations. Waters will wind up with more concentration in diagnostics (versus none now) and discovery-related life science tools.

Key Indicators: Waters's Financial Health

Market Capitalization Analysis: With a profound presence, the company's market capitalization is above industry averages. This reflects substantial size and strong market recognition.

Revenue Growth: Waters's remarkable performance in 3M is evident. As of 30 September, 2025, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of 8.05%. This signifies a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company encountered difficulties, with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Health Care sector.

Net Margin: Waters's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional net margin, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable net margin of 18.62%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost management.

Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 6.63%, the company showcases effective utilization of equity capital.

Return on Assets (ROA): Waters's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROA, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROA of 3.11%, the company showcases efficient use of assets and strong financial health.

Debt Management: Waters's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average at 0.64, reflecting a lower dependency on debt financing and a more conservative financial approach.

The Basics of Analyst Ratings

Within the domain of banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their work involves attending company conference calls and meetings, researching company financial statements, and communicating with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically assess and rate each stock once per quarter.

In addition to their assessments, some analysts extend their insights by offering predictions for key metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates. This supplementary information provides further guidance for traders. It is crucial to recognize that, despite their specialization, analysts are human and can only provide forecasts based on their beliefs.

This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.