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Milford, Massachusetts-based Waters Corporation (WAT) is a leader in analytical instruments, separations technologies, and scientific software. Valued at a market cap of $23.6 billion, the company’s products and solutions support research, quality testing, and regulatory compliance across pharmaceutical, life sciences, materials, food safety, environmental, and industrial laboratories. Companies valued at $10 billion or more are typically classified as “large-cap stocks,” and WAT fits the label perfectly ...

Core Viewpoint - Wolfe Research upgraded Waters Corp. to Outperform from Peerperform, assigning a price target of $480, citing undervaluation relative to the company's growth and free cash flow potential [1] Group 1: Growth Potential - Waters is positioned to outperform due to above-average core growth and upside potential to its pro forma financial targets [2] - The company exhibits strong free cash flow characteristics and is supported by a highly regarded management team [2] Group 2: Valuation Metrics - Based on 2026 pro forma estimates, shares are trading at approximately 17.0x EV/EBITDA and 22.6x P/FCF, which represent discounts of about 10% and 12% respectively compared to peers [2] Group 3: Risks and Management - While there are concerns that integrating BD Life Sciences could dilute Waters' long-term organic growth and reduce premium valuation, the management's track record and diversified end-market exposure justify a higher valuation than current trading levels [3]

Wolfe Research upgraded life sciences toolmaker Waters Corporation (WAT) to Outperform from Peer Perform on Wednesday, citing potential tailwinds from its proposed merger with BD's (BDX) Biosciences & Diagnostic Solutions unit. The upgrade comes as Waters (WAT) and Becton, Dickinson ( ...

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer recently discussed. Cramer discussed the company’s upcoming merger with Becton, Dickinson’s biosciences and diagnostics business. He remarked: “Finally, please don’t forget about one that was always my personal favorite, never owned it for the trust, Waters Corporation, one of the quieter companies in this space that specializes in liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Now, that’s stuff that you need to be able to do all this life scienc ...

Core Viewpoint - Morgan Stanley initiated coverage of Waters Corp. with an Equalweight rating and a $423 price target, highlighting the company's strong operational performance but noting near-term uncertainties due to its latest acquisition [1] Company Performance - Waters Corp. has effectively executed its transformation priorities over the past five years, enhancing commercial capabilities and expanding into higher-growth areas [2] - Large molecule chemistry now accounts for 50% of bioseparation revenues, with ongoing advancements in LC-MS for clinical diagnostics and battery testing, both identified as high-single-digit growth drivers [2] Acquisition and Integration Risks - The planned acquisition of Becton Dickinson's Biosciences and Diagnostics businesses introduces integration risks due to the size and complexity of the assets, which are significantly larger and more diverse than previous acquisitions [3] - Successful integration will depend on Waters' ability to apply its disciplined operating model while managing the capital-spending pressures and recovery timelines of the acquired units [3] Near-term Outlook - Despite a favorable view of Waters' core business, the integration challenges associated with the acquisition limit near-term visibility, justifying the Equalweight stance [4]

Core Insights - Waters Corporation is a leading analytical instruments and software company with a market cap of $22.4 billion, specializing in high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and laboratory informatics [1] Performance Overview - Over the past year, Waters shares have increased by 5.8%, underperforming the S&P 500 Index, which has risen by nearly 10.5% [2] - Year-to-date in 2025, WAT stock is up 2.1%, while the S&P 500 has seen an 11.2% rise [2] Sector Comparison - Waters has also underperformed compared to the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund, which gained 6% over the past year and 10.1% year-to-date [3] Recent Financial Performance - On November 4, Waters reported stronger-than-expected third-quarter results, with revenue of $800 million, an 8% year-over-year increase, driven by demand in pharmaceuticals and growth in recurring revenue streams [4] - Adjusted EPS surged to $3.40, reflecting a 16% increase from the previous year, aided by improved margins and accelerated instrument replacement cycles [4] Growth Drivers - Strength in LC-MS systems, double-digit growth in chemistry, and an 11% boost in pharmaceutical end-markets contributed to the company's momentum [5] - Waters raised its full-year sales and earnings guidance, indicating confidence in demand outlook [5] - Analysts expect WAT's EPS to grow by 10.5% to $13.10 on a diluted basis for the current fiscal year ending in December [5] Analyst Sentiment - Among 15 analysts covering WAT stock, the consensus rating is a "Moderate Buy," consisting of five "Strong Buy" ratings and ten "Holds" [6] - Rothschild & Co initiated coverage on Waters with a "Buy" rating and set a price target of $390, drawing renewed attention to the stock [7]

Core Insights - The replacement cycle for instruments has been ongoing for about a year, with significant momentum observed in orders outpacing revenues [1][2] - The growth rate for LC-MS instruments remains in the high single-digit range, driven by the replacement cycle and other factors [2][3] - The industry is still in the early stages of the replacement cycle, with many customer segments yet to begin replacing their instruments [3] Group 1 - The instrument replacement cycle is expected to continue, indicating a positive trend for future growth [3] - Current growth for LC-MS instruments is characterized by a low single-digit CAGR over the past six years, suggesting room for improvement [3] - The sales funnel for instruments is strong, indicating good future demand [3]

Summary of Conference Call Company and Industry - **Company**: Waters Corporation - **Industry**: Life Sciences and Analytical Instruments Key Points and Arguments Replacement Cycle and Growth Drivers - The replacement cycle for instruments, particularly LCMS, began about a year ago and is expected to continue for several more years, with current growth rates in the high single digits [2][4] - The growth drivers for LCMS include: 1. Instrument replacement cycle, which is still ongoing [2] 2. Idiosyncratic growth drivers such as GLP-1 testing, which has seen revenues double, and PFAS testing, which has 30% order growth [3] 3. Development of new products that meet significant unmet needs in the market [3] Performance in Different Segments - Chemistry segment grew by 13% in the third quarter, significantly above the pre-COVID run rate of 6%-7% [5] - The growth in chemistry is attributed to investments in bioseparations and innovations in product offerings, particularly for biologics [6][7] - The pharma segment experienced double-digit growth driven by the replacement cycle and idiosyncratic growth drivers, particularly in the U.S. and Europe [10][11] Regional Insights - In China, growth is driven by CDMOs supporting the local biotech industry, with a significant share of global in-licensing coming from China [11] - India is experiencing high teens growth driven by generics, while branded generics in China are still declining [11] Innovation and New Products - The CDMS opportunity is highlighted as a significant unmet need in the market, with potential to capture a large share of the $350 million annual sales currently dominated by existing techniques [16][17] - New product launches include the FACS DiVa S8 flow cytometer and the FXI incubator for microbiology, both expected to drive significant growth [22][23] Software and Commercial Model Changes - The Empower software business is a critical part of Waters' portfolio, with plans to transition to a subscription model to enhance revenue [30][31] - The Empower system is used for 80% of QAQC data submissions for drugs filed to regulatory bodies, indicating its importance in the industry [30] Market Dynamics and Future Outlook - The overall market setup is positive, with continued growth expected from the replacement cycle, new product introductions, and idiosyncratic growth drivers [38] - The company anticipates that the growth rate in chemistry will stabilize in the high single digits to low double digits over time [7] Additional Insights - The company is focusing on integration planning post-acquisition, with positive surprises in microbiology workflow improvements and potential market entry strategies [26] - The pricing strategy for large molecules is expected to be stickier and more significant compared to small molecules, enhancing revenue opportunities [9] Other Important Content - The company is actively working on enhancing its product offerings and market strategies to capture unmet needs and drive sustainable growth [17][38] - There is a focus on customer adoption and integration of new technologies, which is crucial for maintaining competitive advantage in the market [17][31]

Core Insights - Waters Corporation will have its President and CEO, Udit Batra, participate in a fireside chat at the Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference on November 18, 2025 [1] - A live webcast of the event will be available on Waters' Investor Relations website, with a replay accessible for 90 days [2] Company Overview - Waters Corporation is a global leader in analytical instruments, separations technologies, and software, serving various sectors including life sciences, materials, food, and environmental sciences for over 65 years [3] - The company focuses on ensuring the efficacy of medicines, safety of food, purity of water, and quality of everyday products, employing over 7,600 individuals across more than 100 countries [3]