WAT stock forecast, quote, news & analysis
Waters sells liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and thermal analysis tools... Show more
Waters Corporation (WAT) Stock Analysis: Strong Organic Growth and Raised 2026 Guidance After the BD Diagnostics Integration
Key Takeaways
- Waters Corporation (WAT) shares have risen roughly 5% over the past 30 days, trading near the mid-$440s.
- Second-quarter 2026 results beat expectations, with organic revenue up 9% in constant currency and adjusted EPS of $3.05.
- Management raised full-year 2026 guidance for organic revenue growth and adjusted EPS to a range of $14.45 to $14.65.
- The integration of the acquired Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions businesses from Becton, Dickinson is accelerating, with acquired revenue up 4% in the quarter.
- Demand is being supported by pharmaceutical customers, GLP-1 testing, biologics, and academic and government spending, while China and foreign exchange remain notable headwinds.
Current Market Snapshot
Waters Corporation has posted a measured advance over the trailing month, with shares moving from the low $420s toward the mid-$440s, a gain of approximately 5%. The stock has traded in a relatively tight range as investors weigh strong operational execution against foreign-exchange pressure and ongoing integration work tied to a major acquisition. Within the life sciences tools and diagnostics sector, Waters stands out for its recently expanded portfolio, which now spans analytical instruments as well as bioscience and diagnostic solutions. The broader tone around the name has been constructive following an earnings report that exceeded consensus expectations and prompted management to lift its outlook.
Waters Corporation (WAT) Business Overview and Competitive Position
Waters Corporation is a global provider of analytical technologies, informatics, and services used in pharmaceutical development, quality control, environmental testing, food safety, and materials analysis. Its core franchise is built on high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, chemistry consumables, and associated software and service offerings. In February 2026, the company completed its acquisition of the Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions businesses from Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX), significantly broadening its reach into flow cytometry, microbiology, and molecular and point-of-care diagnostics. The combined organization now operates across four divisions: Analytical Sciences, Biosciences, Advanced Diagnostics, and Materials Sciences. This scale, recurring chemistry and service revenue, and deep exposure to regulated, high-volume testing environments are central to the company's competitive position.
Recent Developments Driving WAT
The most significant catalyst over the past month has been the company's second-quarter 2026 earnings report, released in early August. Total revenue reached $1.645 billion, with organic revenue of $828 million growing 7% as reported and 9% in constant currency, exceeding the high end of guidance. Adjusted earnings per share rose 3% to $3.05, while the newly acquired Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions businesses generated $817 million in revenue, up 4% on a comparable basis and ahead of management's expectations.
Management raised its full-year outlook, guiding to 7% to 9% organic constant-currency revenue growth and adjusted EPS of $14.45 to $14.65. On a GAAP basis, the company recorded a net loss for the quarter, reflecting acquisition-related purchase accounting charges including intangible amortization and inventory step-ups. Product momentum has been a key theme, with launches of the Cyclic IMS P20 and Xevo MRT P10 mass spectrometers, the FACSDiscover A7 spectral cell analyzer, and FDA 510(k) clearance for the BACTEC FXI blood culture system. GLP-1 testing-related revenue grew more than 40% in the quarter, while China-related headwinds in the acquired businesses and a stronger U.S. dollar remain offsetting factors.
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2026 Outlook and What Investors Should Watch
Looking ahead, the company's integration of the Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions businesses remains the central storyline. Investors will be watching whether the acquired units can sustain mid-single-digit growth, whether pricing and contract-compliance initiatives continue to build momentum, and whether the roughly $200 million in targeted run-rate cost savings materializes on schedule. Third-quarter results, expected in early November, will provide an important checkpoint against management's guidance for 8% to 10% organic constant-currency growth and adjusted EPS of $3.95 to $4.05.
Additional factors to monitor include the pace of recovery in China, particularly in flow clinical and microbiology, the launch and adoption of the FACSDiscover A7 cell analyzer, and the trajectory of GLP-1 testing demand. Macroeconomic conditions, foreign-exchange movements, and industrial end-market softness also carry the potential to influence results. As always, these are forward-looking considerations rather than guarantees, and investors should assess them alongside their own research.
Disclaimer
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Momentum Indicator for WAT turns positive, indicating new upward trend
WAT saw its Momentum Indicator move above the 0 level on October 20, 2026. This is an indication that the stock could be shifting in to a new upward move. Traders may want to consider buying the stock or buying call options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 93 similar instances where the indicator turned positive. In 63 of the 93 cases, the stock moved higher in the following days. The odds of a move higher are at 68%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for WAT just turned positive on October 21, 2026. Looking at past instances where WAT's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 25 of 45 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 56%.
Following a +3.28% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where WAT advanced for three days, in 177 of 278 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 64%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 118 of 207 cases where WAT Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 57%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The RSI Oscillator demonstrated that the stock has entered the overbought zone. This may point to a price pull-back soon.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 3 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where WAT declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 63%.
WAT broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 27, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 2 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 9 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating outstanding price growth. WAT’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 56 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 87, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 85 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 88 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (3.030) is normal, around the industry mean (65.632). WAT has a moderately high P/E Ratio (117.726) as compared to the industry average of (1.899). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.649) is also within normal values, averaging (3.473). Dividend Yield (0.000) settles around the average of (0.002) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (6.752) is also within normal values, averaging (9.775).
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 89 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
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General Information
a manufacturer of analytical technologies: liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and thermal analysis
Industry MedicalSpecialties