Waters Corporation
Waters Corporation provides analytical workflow solutions in Asia, the Americas, and Europe. The company operates through two segments, Waters and TA. The company designs, manufactures, sells, and services liquid chromatography, as well as mass spectrometry (MS) technology systems and supports produ…
What to know about WAT
Waters Corporation is a large Healthcare company with a mixed financial profile. It scores well on health and growth, but cash flow is worth keeping an eye on.
Should you consider WAT?
Based on 31 financial metrics and sector comparison. Not financial advice.
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Waters Corporation is a large-cap Healthcare company with a mixed overall financial profile — it is in the lower half of its Healthcare peers (43 of 59).
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Profit margins are thin compared to most S&P 500 peers — the company keeps less of each dollar it earns than the average. Watch for signs of margin improvement.
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The stock trades at a premium — investors are paying more per dollar of earnings than most S&P 500 companies. That's fine if strong growth justifies it, but leaves little room for disappointment.
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The company is growing at a reasonable pace — not the fastest, but consistently moving in the right direction.
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This stock pays no dividend — your return depends entirely on the share price rising over time.
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The stock is more volatile than most S&P 500 names — it can swing sharply in both directions. This suits investors comfortable with bigger short-term moves.
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There are several areas of concern. This may suit investors with a higher risk tolerance or a specific contrarian view on the Healthcare sector.
At a glance
How it scores
We look at 31 different financial metrics and group them into categories. Here's how WAT compares to the other S&P 500 stocks.
Dive deeper — all 31 metrics 9 categories · valuation, growth, health, dividends & more Show all Hide
Valuation
Is the stock cheap or expensive relative to its earnings, sales, and assets? Lower multiples often mean better value.
| Metric | Value | vs S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (Trailing) | 45.22 | Below avg |
| Forward P/E | 21.60 | Average |
| PEG Ratio | 1.60 | Above avg |
| Price to Sales | 9.26 | Below avg |
| Price to Book | 2.28 | Above avg |
| EV/EBITDA | 35.72 | Below avg |
| Earnings Yield | 2.21% | Below avg |
Profitability
How efficiently does the company turn revenue into profit? Higher margins mean more money kept from each dollar earned.
| Metric | Value | vs S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Margin | 55.15% | Above avg |
| Operating Margin | 2.84% | Below avg |
| Net Profit Margin | 11.93% | Average |
| Return on Equity | 5.21% | Below avg |
| Return on Invested Capital | 3.31% | Average |
Growth
How fast is the business expanding? Strong growth in revenue and earnings signals increasing market demand.
| Metric | Value | vs S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 91.40% | Top 25% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 2.12% | Average |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | — | N/A |
| Free Cash Flow Growth | -12.88% | Average |
Health
Can the company cover its debts and obligations? A healthy balance sheet reduces the risk of financial trouble.
| Metric | Value | vs S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 1.79 | Above avg |
| Debt to Equity | 0.37 | Top 25% |
| Interest Coverage | 11.85 | Above avg |
| Altman Z-Score | 12.58 | Top 25% |
Dividends
Does the company pay shareholders, and is that payment growing and sustainable?
| Metric | Value | vs S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | — | N/A |
| Payout Ratio | — | N/A |
| Dividend Growth (5Y) | — | N/A |
Cash Flow
Is real cash flowing into the business — not just accounting profits? Strong cash flow funds growth and dividends.
| Metric | Value | vs S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Free Cash Flow Yield | 0.76% | Below avg |
| OCF to Sales | 10.33% | Below avg |
Risk
How volatile is the stock compared to the broader market? Lower beta and volatility mean a smoother ride.
| Metric | Value | vs S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (1-Year) | 1.20 | Average |
| Volatility (30-Day) | 35.74% | Average |
Sentiment
What do analysts and short-sellers think? High analyst ratings and low short interest signal broad confidence.
| Metric | Value | vs S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Short % of Float | 4.56% | Average |
| Avg. Analyst Rating | 1.87 | Above avg |
| Target Upside % | 12.61% | Average |
Size
How large is the company by market value? Size affects stability, growth potential, and index inclusion.
| Metric | Value | vs S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Market Capitalization | 34.9B | Average |
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