Waters Corp Shareholders Approve Merger with Becton, Dickinson
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jul 14 2025
0mins
Should l Buy WAT?
Source: WSJ
Waters Corp shares fell 3.22% today, hitting a 20-day low amid broader market declines, with the Nasdaq-100 down 1.50% and the S&P 500 down 0.91%.
The significant catalyst for Waters Corp is the recent approval of the merger proposal with Becton, Dickinson & Company, where approximately 99% of shareholders voted in favor. This merger is expected to enhance Waters' market position in life sciences and diagnostics, with the transaction anticipated to close on February 9, 2026, coinciding with the release of its Q4 2025 financial results. Additionally, Becton, Dickinson has received a favorable Private Letter Ruling from the IRS regarding tax implications, ensuring a smoother merger process.
This merger represents a pivotal moment for Waters Corp, potentially leading to increased growth opportunities and innovation in the life sciences sector. The upcoming financial results announcement will be closely watched by investors as it may provide insights into the company's future performance post-merger.
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Analyst Views on WAT
Wall Street analysts forecast WAT stock price to rise
13 Analyst Rating
8 Buy
5 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 299.630
Low
350.00
Averages
414.08
High
480.00
Current: 299.630
Low
350.00
Averages
414.08
High
480.00
About WAT
Waters Corporation offers analytical instruments, separations technologies, and software, serving the life, materials, food, and environmental sciences. The Company's segments include Waters and TA. The Company primarily designs, manufactures, sells and services high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC and together with HPLC, referred to as LC) and mass spectrometry (MS) technology systems and support products, including chromatography columns, other consumable products and comprehensive post-warranty service plans. The Company designs, manufactures, sells and services thermal analysis, rheometry and calorimetry instruments through its TA Instruments (TA) product line. The Company is also a developer and supplier of advanced software-based products that interface with the Company’s instruments, as well as other manufacturers’ instruments. It operates directly in over 35 countries and has products available in more than 100 countries.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Insider Buying by Waters and Arvinas Directors
- Waters Insider Purchase: Waters' Director Richard H. Fearon bought 1,000 shares at $306.34 each for a total of $306,340, marking his first purchase in the past year, indicating confidence in the company's future.
- Market Opportunity: Waters shares traded as low as $295.02 on Wednesday, 3.7% below Fearon's purchase price, presenting a relatively low entry point for investors, despite the stock being down about 1.2% on the day.
- Arvinas Insider Purchase: Arvinas' Director Briggs Morrison purchased 20,000 shares at $13.40 each for a total investment of $268,070, reflecting his positive outlook on the company's prospects.
- Historical Purchase Comparison: Prior to this purchase, Morrison had bought 227,010 shares at $7.57 each in the past year, demonstrating his sustained confidence in Arvinas, even as the stock fell approximately 3.2% on Wednesday.
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Waters CEO to Participate in Healthcare Conference
- Conference Participation: Waters Corporation's CEO, Dr. Udit Batra, will participate in the TD Cowen Healthcare Conference on March 2, 2026, at 11:10 AM ET, highlighting the company's leadership in life sciences.
- Live Webcast: The event will be streamed live on the 'Events & Presentations' section of Waters' Investor Relations website, ensuring global investors can access real-time updates and enhancing corporate transparency.
- Replay Availability: A replay of the webcast will be available for 90 days post-event, allowing investors who missed the live session to catch up, thereby improving information accessibility and engagement.
- Company Background: Waters Corporation focuses on life sciences and diagnostics, dedicated to accelerating scientific innovation through analytical technologies and informatics, driving the release of high-quality medicines and early disease detection, showcasing its global market influence.
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- Earnings Guidance Cut: The company lowered its fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings guidance from $14.75-$15.05 per share to $12.35-$12.65, below the consensus of $14.72, reflecting pressures and uncertainties in future business operations.
- Analyst Rating Changes: RBC Capital Markets reduced its price target for Becton Dickinson from $210 to $172, citing FY26 as a transition year with an expected organic revenue growth of 2.5%, which may impact investor confidence moving forward.
- Market Reaction: Following the announcement, Becton Dickinson's shares fell by 17.44% to $171.23, indicating investor concerns regarding the company's growth potential, especially in light of multiple business headwinds.
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US Stocks Rise on Monday as Tech Stocks Rebound
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- Precious Metals Surge: Mining stocks rallied as gold prices increased by 2% and silver surged over 6%, with Coeur Mining and Hecla Mining gaining more than 7% and 5% respectively, highlighting the positive impact of strong performance in the precious metals market on related stocks.
- Earnings Season Insights: More than half of S&P 500 companies have reported earnings, with 79% exceeding expectations, and Q4 earnings growth projected at 8.4%, which is likely to further boost market sentiment and enhance investor confidence.
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- U.S. Stock Market Performance: U.S. stock indexes experienced gains on Monday, with the overall market rising by 0.90%.
- Specific Index Movements: The S&P 500 increased by 0.47%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a slight rise of 0.04%.
See More
Insider Buying by Waters and Arvinas Directors
- Waters Insider Purchase: Waters' Director Richard H. Fearon bought 1,000 shares at $306.34 each for a total of $306,340, marking his first purchase in the past year, indicating confidence in the company's future.
- Market Opportunity: Waters shares traded as low as $295.02 on Wednesday, 3.7% below Fearon's purchase price, presenting a relatively low entry point for investors, despite the stock being down about 1.2% on the day.
- Arvinas Insider Purchase: Arvinas' Director Briggs Morrison purchased 20,000 shares at $13.40 each for a total investment of $268,070, reflecting his positive outlook on the company's prospects.
- Historical Purchase Comparison: Prior to this purchase, Morrison had bought 227,010 shares at $7.57 each in the past year, demonstrating his sustained confidence in Arvinas, even as the stock fell approximately 3.2% on Wednesday.
See More
Waters CEO to Participate in Healthcare Conference
- Conference Participation: Waters Corporation's CEO, Dr. Udit Batra, will participate in the TD Cowen Healthcare Conference on March 2, 2026, at 11:10 AM ET, highlighting the company's leadership in life sciences.
- Live Webcast: The event will be streamed live on the 'Events & Presentations' section of Waters' Investor Relations website, ensuring global investors can access real-time updates and enhancing corporate transparency.
- Replay Availability: A replay of the webcast will be available for 90 days post-event, allowing investors who missed the live session to catch up, thereby improving information accessibility and engagement.
- Company Background: Waters Corporation focuses on life sciences and diagnostics, dedicated to accelerating scientific innovation through analytical technologies and informatics, driving the release of high-quality medicines and early disease detection, showcasing its global market influence.
See More
Becton Dickinson Lowers Fiscal 2026 Earnings Guidance Amid Sales Beat
- Sales Performance Beat: Becton Dickinson reported sales of $5.25 billion, slightly exceeding the consensus of $5.15 billion, indicating stable performance in a challenging economic environment despite ongoing headwinds.
- Earnings Guidance Cut: The company lowered its fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings guidance from $14.75-$15.05 per share to $12.35-$12.65, below the consensus of $14.72, reflecting pressures and uncertainties in future business operations.
- Analyst Rating Changes: RBC Capital Markets reduced its price target for Becton Dickinson from $210 to $172, citing FY26 as a transition year with an expected organic revenue growth of 2.5%, which may impact investor confidence moving forward.
- Market Reaction: Following the announcement, Becton Dickinson's shares fell by 17.44% to $171.23, indicating investor concerns regarding the company's growth potential, especially in light of multiple business headwinds.
See More
Stocks Climb Higher as Bull Market Continues
- Market Sentiment: Bulls have regained control of the market following previous concerns over artificial intelligence, leading to a positive outlook for risky assets, particularly in the tech sector.
- Ongoing Rally: The rally in real assets continues as investors anticipate a series of important economic data releases in the coming days.
See More
US Stocks Rise on Monday as Tech Stocks Rebound
- Market Recovery: The S&P 500 Index rose by 0.47% on Monday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average hitting an all-time high, indicating a strong recovery in the market following rebounds in tech stocks and chipmakers, reflecting investor confidence in economic recovery.
- Precious Metals Surge: Mining stocks rallied as gold prices increased by 2% and silver surged over 6%, with Coeur Mining and Hecla Mining gaining more than 7% and 5% respectively, highlighting the positive impact of strong performance in the precious metals market on related stocks.
- Earnings Season Insights: More than half of S&P 500 companies have reported earnings, with 79% exceeding expectations, and Q4 earnings growth projected at 8.4%, which is likely to further boost market sentiment and enhance investor confidence.
- Economic Data Focus: The market will closely watch upcoming economic data releases, including the employment cost index and retail sales figures, which are expected to significantly influence future monetary policy and market trends.
See More
U.S. Markets Finished Higher on Monday; Ubiquiti Saw the Largest Gain
- U.S. Stock Market Performance: U.S. stock indexes experienced gains on Monday, with the overall market rising by 0.90%.
- Specific Index Movements: The S&P 500 increased by 0.47%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a slight rise of 0.04%.
See More
