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Investing.com - Stifel has maintained its Hold rating and $360.00 price target on Waters Corp. (NYSE:WAT), currently trading at $291.71 and near its 52-week low of $275.05, following recent meetings with the company’s management team. According to InvestingPro data, the stock maintains a GOOD Financial Health score despite recent market pressures.
The discussions primarily centered on Waters’ planned acquisition of BD assets, with management expressing confidence in the deal despite elevated investor skepticism, according to Stifel.
Waters’ management views the flow cytometry assets as particularly attractive and, while the microbiology business has generated some investor uncertainty, the company sees opportunity in this segment as well.
A key theme from the meetings was management’s belief that these businesses "weren’t run all that effectively" under BD’s ownership, suggesting Waters’ oversight could improve top-line performance without significant dilution while achieving higher margins.
Stifel noted that while investing in Waters today may not provide obvious near-term upside by year-end, investor sentiment may have become overly negative, potentially positioning the stock as "a solid 2026 idea" if end markets improve. For deeper insights into Waters’ valuation and growth prospects, including 8 additional key ProTips, visit InvestingPro.
In other recent news, Waters Corporation reported its second-quarter 2025 earnings, with earnings per share (EPS) of $2.95, slightly surpassing the forecast of $2.94. The company also exceeded revenue expectations, reporting $771 million against a projected $748.04 million. Despite these positive results, the market reaction was cautious. KeyBanc maintained an Overweight rating on Waters, citing potential growth from its acquisition of Becton Dickinson’s Biosciences and Diagnostics business, expected to close in 2026. Bernstein SocGen Group lowered its price target for Waters to $360, noting tariff headwinds and a mixed performance in different product lines. TD Cowen reduced its price target to $322 while maintaining a Hold rating, acknowledging the company’s modest beats in organic revenue and EPS growth. Jefferies also adjusted its price target to $385, maintaining a Buy rating and highlighting Waters’ revenue and EPS exceeding expectations, excluding tax items. These developments reflect a complex landscape for Waters as it navigates new opportunities and challenges.
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