Waters (NYSE:WAT) Upgraded by StockNews.com to Buy Rating

StockNews.com upgraded shares of Waters (NYSE:WAT - Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Monday morning.

Several other research firms have also commented on WAT. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Waters from $340.00 to $380.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday, November 4th. Barclays raised shares of Waters from an "underweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and lifted their price target for the company from $360.00 to $415.00 in a research report on Monday, February 10th. TD Cowen lifted their price target on shares of Waters from $363.00 to $410.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, November 4th. Bank of America reduced their price target on shares of Waters from $430.00 to $410.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Waters from $415.00 to $420.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Waters currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $390.40.

Waters Price Performance

Shares of WAT stock traded down $6.57 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $374.24. 270,358 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 452,897. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $388.93 and a 200 day moving average of $365.29. 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 has a 52-week low of $279.24 and a 52-week high of $423.56. The company has a market cap of $22.22 billion, a PE ratio of 34.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.76 and a beta of 1.01.

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Waters

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Waters during the fourth quarter worth $28,000. Kennebec Savings Bank acquired a new position in Waters in the third quarter valued at $33,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust acquired a new position in Waters in the fourth quarter valued at $34,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Waters in the third quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Fortitude Family Office LLC raised its holdings in shares of Waters by 235.7% in the fourth 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 last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.01% of the company's stock.

About Waters

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.