J. Safra Sarasin Holding AG Makes New $332,000 Investment in Waters Co. (NYSE:WAT)

J. Safra Sarasin Holding AG purchased a new position in shares of Waters Co. (NYSE:WAT - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 894 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock, valued at approximately $332,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd acquired a new stake in Waters during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust purchased a new position in Waters in the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC increased its stake in Waters by 235.7% in the 4th quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 94 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 66 shares during the period. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted 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 acquiring an additional 53 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp acquired a new position in shares of Waters during the fourth quarter worth about $42,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.01% of the company's stock.

Waters Trading Down 0.8 %

Shares of WAT stock traded down $2.74 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $337.96. 252,623 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 475,445. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $355.96 and a 200 day moving average of $370.45. The company has a quick ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14. Waters Co. has a 1 year low of $279.24 and a 1 year high of $423.56. The firm has a market cap of $20.11 billion, a PE ratio of 31.56, a PEG ratio of 3.79 and a beta of 1.04.

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on WAT. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Waters from $380.00 to $390.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, March 6th. KeyCorp raised shares of Waters from a "sector weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and set a $460.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 31st. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Waters from $400.00 to $350.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 10th. UBS Group boosted their target price on Waters from $405.00 to $410.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Robert W. Baird dropped their price target on Waters from $407.00 to $355.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $392.13.

Waters 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.