Waters stock climbs after a buy upgrade and strong guidance
Published on 08/29/2026 at 14:36 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Waters Corp (US9418481035) stock gained after research analysts at MarketBeat reported that Wall Street Zen lifted the name from hold to buy on August 29, 2026. The latest trading snapshot showed Waters at $415.31, down 1.41%, with a market value of $40.73 billion and a 12-month range of $282.77 to $426.22.
August 4 results
Its August 4, 2026 quarterly report added the numbers behind the move: earnings of $3.05 a share beat the $3.01 consensus by $0.04, while revenue reached $1.65 billion versus $1.62 billion expected. Revenue also rose 113.3% from the same quarter a year earlier, with net margin at 3.58% and return on equity at 11.27%.
That combination of a beat and a higher bar for the rest of 2026 is what investors are reacting to. Waters now guides for Q3 2026 EPS of $3.95 to $4.05 and FY 2026 EPS of $14.45 to $14.65, above the current-year analyst view of $14.56 a share.
What the chart says
The share price is still trading below the $426.22 12-month high, but it remains well above the $387.53 50-day average and the $348.45 200-day average. That gap gives the stock a stronger technical backdrop than it had earlier in the year.
Waters also reported a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 1.86 and a quick ratio of 1.29, which leaves balance-sheet strength as part of the story alongside earnings momentum.
Product line
The company's core portfolio centers on liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry systems, plus columns, consumables and lab software for pharmaceutical, biotech and research customers. That mix matters because it links recurring consumables demand to the larger installed base of analytical instruments.
Price and venue
Waters Corporation trades on the NYSE in USD. As of August 29, 2026, the stock opened at $414.55 and traded at $415.31.
Fact box
Company: Waters Corporation
ISIN: US9418481035
Ticker: WAT
Exchange: NYSE
Sector / Industry: Healthcare / Diagnostics & Research
Price (as of August 29, 2026, 10:12 a.m. ET): $415.31 USD
Market cap: $40.73 billion
Index membership: S&P 500
