NEOS Investment Management LLC Acquires 1,690 Shares of Waters Corporation $WAT

NEOS Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) by 12.5% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 15,252 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,690 shares during the period. NEOS Investment Management LLC’s holdings in Waters were worth $5,720,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT boosted its position in shares of Waters by 121.2% during the fourth quarter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT now owns 73 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares during the last quarter. PenderFund Capital Management Ltd. purchased a new position in Waters during the second quarter valued at $28,000. First Bancorp Inc ME bought a new stake in Waters in the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Caitlin John LLC increased its holdings in Waters by 43.9% in the 2nd quarter. Caitlin John LLC now owns 82 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 25 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SHP Wealth Management purchased a new stake in Waters in the 4th quarter worth $32,000. Institutional investors own 94.01% of the company’s stock.

Waters Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:WAT opened at $409.39 on Monday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $391.93 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $351.64. Waters Corporation has a 52 week low of $282.77 and a 52 week high of $426.22. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $40.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 102.09, a PEG ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 1.19.

Waters (NYSE:WAT) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.01 by $0.04. Waters had a net margin of 3.58% and a return on equity of 11.27%. The firm had revenue of $1.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.62 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.95 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 113.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Waters has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 3.950-4.050 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 14.450-14.650 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Waters Corporation will post 14.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Waters News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Waters this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Shares are up 3.1% since the company’s most recent earnings report, reflecting investor confidence after Waters exceeded quarterly expectations with adjusted EPS of $3.05 versus the $3.01 consensus and revenue of $1.65 billion versus $1.62 billion expected. Why Is Waters Up Since Last Earnings Report?
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts currently assign Waters a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy,” providing continued support for the stock. The company also maintained 2026 earnings guidance of $14.45 to $14.65 per share. Waters Given Moderate Buy Recommendation
• Neutral Sentiment: Waters’ latest results included strong reported year-over-year revenue growth and an earnings beat, but investors may focus on whether that momentum is sustainable and whether the company can deliver its full-year outlook.
• Negative Sentiment: The stock trades at a very elevated valuation—approximately 102 times earnings—so expectations are high. Any weaker-than-expected demand, guidance revision, or margin pressure could produce volatility despite the positive analyst consensus.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Waters from $425.00 to $460.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $420.00 target price on Waters in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Sanford C. Bernstein initiated coverage on Waters in a research report on Friday, June 26th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $435.00 target price on the stock. TD Cowen raised Waters from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their price target for the company from $408.00 to $475.00 in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “hold” rating and set a $400.00 price target on shares of Waters in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $424.35.

Insider Transactions at Waters

In other news, Director Christopher Kuebler sold 3,626 shares of Waters stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $397.94, for a total value of $1,442,930.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 17,808 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,086,515.52. The trade was a 16.92% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.31% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About Waters

Waters Corporation is a global provider of analytical instruments, software and services for laboratory and research applications. The company designs, manufactures and sells technologies centered on liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, separation science, and related sample preparation and detection systems. Its product portfolio includes chromatographs, mass spectrometers, columns and consumables, laboratory informatics and workflow software, as well as technical support and training services that help customers run and interpret complex analyses.

Waters serves a wide range of end markets that include pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, contract research and testing laboratories, academic and government research institutions, clinical diagnostics, food and environmental testing, and industrial and chemical manufacturers.