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Upturn AI Summary - About
Waters Corporation(WAT)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for WAT
10/01/2026: WAT (2-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Waters Corporation is a leading provider of high-performance analytical instruments and software, serving pharmaceutical and life science laboratories globally. Its primary strength lies in its dominant position in liquid chromatography, which generates a stable stream of recurring revenue from essential consumables. The company’s growth strategy centers on expanding into the high-potential bioprocessing and nanoparticle characterization markets, recently bolstered by the acquisition of Wyatt Technology. Investors should monitor risks related to pharmaceutical R&D budget cycles, valuation premium sensitivity, and competition from larger life science firms. Overall, the stock may suit investors seeking a stable business with high-quality, albeit non-dividend-paying, growth characteristics.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Mixed fit | The company offers steady, predictable growth rather than the aggressive expansion typical of high-growth tech stocks. |
| Momentum investor | Mixed fit | Momentum is often moderate; this is a strong fit only during sustained uptrends in the life sciences sector. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | The stock often trades at a premium valuation due to its quality and market position, limiting traditional value upside. |
| Dividend investor | Weak fit | Waters does not pay a regular dividend, making it unsuitable for income-focused portfolios. |
| Low-risk investor | Strong fit | The company's strong balance sheet and essential business model provide stability in volatile markets. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | Medium | The stock price can be sensitive to fluctuations in R&D spending and quarterly earnings reports. |
| Valuation risk | Medium / high | High P/E ratios in the life sciences sector mean that earnings misses can lead to sharp price corrections. |
| Competition risk (Life Sciences Instrumentation) | Medium | Intense competition from larger diversified firms like Thermo Fisher can pressure margins. |
| Business quality | Strong | The company's reputation for precision and regulatory compliance creates a strong competitive moat. |
| Dividend income | Low / none | Lack of dividends means total return depends entirely on capital appreciation. |
| Execution risk | Medium | Successful integration of acquisitions like Wyatt Technology is critical to long-term growth targets. |
Price Behavior
Strong Uptrend
The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.
Moderately Choppy
The stock has experienced noticeable price swings while retaining some directional structure.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 1.66% | Avg. Invested days 42 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  2.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 10/01/2026 |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals
Financial Health Rating
Growth Momentum Score
Ownership
Top 5 Institutional Investors
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Large-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 41.78B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 111.1 | 1Y Target Price 446.74 |
Price to earnings Ratio 111.1 | 1Y Target Price 446.74 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 689.0K shares | Beta 1.19 | 52 Weeks Range 282.77 - 448.21 | Updated Date 10/01/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 282.77 - 448.21 | Updated Date 10/01/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) 3.83 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| Instruments | ACQUITY UPLC and Xevo Mass Spectrometry systems sold to labs worldwide. | These are the primary 'big ticket' sales that drive initial customer relationships. |
| Consumables & Services | Replacement columns, chemical reagents, and annual maintenance contracts. | This is the 'razor-and-blades' model that provides steady, recurring cash flow. |
| Geography | Sales across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific markets. | Global exposure balances regional economic slowdowns. |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Valuation
Trailing PE 111.1 | Forward PE 24.75 | Enterprise Value 46.21B | Price to Sales(TTM) 9 |
Enterprise Value 46.21B | Price to Sales(TTM) 9 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 9.95 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 47.75 | Shares Outstanding 98.19M | Shares Floating 98.07M |
Shares Outstanding 98.19M | Shares Floating 98.07M | ||
Percent Insiders 0.1 | Percent Institutions 102.07 |
Upturn AI Summary
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.
About Waters Corporation
Exchange NYSE | Headquarters Milford, MA, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 1995-11-16 | President, CEO & Director Dr. Udit Batra Ph.D. | ||
Sector Healthcare | Industry Diagnostics & Research | Full time employees 16000 | Website https://www.waters.com |
Full time employees 16000 | Website https://www.waters.com | ||
Waters Corporation provides analytical workflow solutions in Asia, the Americas, and Europe. The company operates through two segments, Waters and TA. The company designs, manufactures, sells, and services liquid chromatography, as well as mass spectrometry (MS) technology systems and supports products, including chromatography columns, and other consumable products. It also designs, manufactures, sells, and services thermal analysis, rheometry, and calorimetry instruments for use in predicting the suitability and stability of fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, water, polymers, metals, and viscous liquids for various industrial, consumer goods, and healthcare products, as well as for life science research; and develops and supplies software-based products that interface with its instruments, as well as other manufacturers' instruments. In addition, the company offers MS technology, which is used in drug discovery and development comprising clinical trial testing, the analysis of proteins in disease processes, nutritional safety analysis, and environmental testing. Its products are used by clinical, pharmaceutical, biochemical, industrial, nutritional safety, environmental, academic, and governmental customers working in research and development, quality assurance, and other laboratory applications. The company was founded in 1958 and is headquartered in Milford, Massachusetts.
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