Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. Sells 863 Shares of Waters Co. (NYSE:WAT)

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. reduced its stake in shares of Waters Co. (NYSE:WAT - Free Report) by 10.7% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 7,201 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock after selling 863 shares during the period. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A.'s holdings in Waters were worth $2,672,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of WAT. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd bought a new stake in Waters during the fourth quarter worth $28,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust bought a new stake in shares of Waters in the 4th quarter worth $34,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC grew its stake in shares of Waters by 235.7% in the 4th quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 94 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC raised its holdings in shares of Waters by 129.3% in the fourth quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 94 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp bought a new position in shares of Waters during the fourth quarter valued at about $42,000. 94.01% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Waters Stock Performance

Shares of WAT stock opened at $337.96 on Friday. The firm's 50 day moving average is $355.96 and its 200 day moving average is $370.45. The stock has a market capitalization of $20.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.56, a PEG ratio of 3.79 and a beta of 1.04. Waters Co. has a 12 month low of $279.24 and a 12 month high of $423.56. The company has a current ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14.

Waters (NYSE:WAT - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The medical instruments supplier reported $4.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.02 by $0.08. Waters had a return on equity of 46.31% and a net margin of 21.56%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Waters Co. will post 12.86 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have commented on WAT shares. Bank of America decreased their price objective on shares of Waters from $430.00 to $410.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Waters from $380.00 to $390.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, March 6th. UBS Group upped their price objective on Waters from $405.00 to $410.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Waters from $415.00 to $420.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Waters from $400.00 to $350.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 10th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Waters currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $392.13.

Waters Company Profile

Waters Corporation provides analytical workflow solutions in Asia, the Americas, and Europe. It operates through two segments: Waters and TA. The company designs, manufactures, sells, and services high and ultra-performance liquid chromatography, as well as mass spectrometry (MS) technology systems and support products, including chromatography columns, other consumable products, and post-warranty service plans.

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