Robert W. Baird Has Lowered Expectations for Waters (NYSE:WAT) Stock Price

Waters (NYSE:WAT - Get Free Report) had its price target lowered by analysts at Robert W. Baird from $407.00 to $355.00 in a report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an "outperform" rating on the medical instruments supplier's stock. Robert W. Baird's target price points to a potential upside of 5.04% from the stock's previous close.

Several other research analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of Waters from $400.00 to $350.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 10th. Baird R W upgraded shares of Waters from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on Waters from $415.00 to $420.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Sanford C. Bernstein set a $400.00 price target on Waters and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Finally, Bank of America reduced their price objective on Waters from $430.00 to $410.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $392.13.

Waters Price Performance

Waters stock traded down $2.74 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $337.96. The company's stock had a trading volume of 252,623 shares, compared to its average volume of 474,625. Waters has a 12 month low of $279.24 and a 12 month high of $423.56. The company has a quick ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $355.96 and its 200-day moving average price is $370.35. The company has a market capitalization of $20.11 billion, a PE ratio of 31.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.79 and a beta of 1.04.

Waters (NYSE:WAT - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The medical instruments supplier reported $4.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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%. Analysts anticipate that Waters will post 12.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Waters

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in WAT. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd acquired a new stake in Waters in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust acquired a new stake in shares of Waters in the fourth quarter worth $34,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Waters by 235.7% during the 4th quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 94 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 66 shares during the period. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC grew its stake in Waters by 129.3% in the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 94 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Whipplewood Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Waters by 5,200.0% in the 1st quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 106 shares of the medical instruments supplier's stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 104 shares during the period. 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.