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.
Wall Street analysts forecast WAT stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for WAT is 419.78 USD with a low forecast of 360.00 USD and a high forecast of 480.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
10 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast WAT stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for WAT is 419.78 USD with a low forecast of 360.00 USD and a high forecast of 480.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
4 Buy
6 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 375.180
Low
360.00
Averages
419.78
High
480.00
Current: 375.180
Low
360.00
Averages
419.78
High
480.00
Guggenheim
Subbu Nambi
initiated
$440
2026-01-06
Reason
Guggenheim
Subbu Nambi
Price Target
$440
AI Analysis
2026-01-06
initiated
Reason
Guggenheim analyst Subbu Nambi initiated coverage of Waters with a Buy rating and $440 price target.
William Blair
Outperform
initiated
2026-01-05
Reason
William Blair
Price Target
2026-01-05
initiated
Outperform
Reason
William Blair initiated coverage of Waters with an Outperform rating. The firm says the company's key end markets are positioned for a better year for first time since pre-COVID. Results in the sector have bottomed, and most overhangs are either dissipating or flipping from headwinds to tailwinds in 2026, the analyst tells investors in a research note.
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Wells Fargo
Brandon Couillard
Equal Weight
maintain
$385 -> $415
2025-12-15
Reason
Wells Fargo
Brandon Couillard
Price Target
$385 -> $415
2025-12-15
maintain
Equal Weight
Reason
Wells Fargo analyst Brandon Couillard raised the firm's price target on Waters to $415 from $385 and keeps an Equal Weight rating on the shares. With U.S. policy uncertainty lifting on Pharma and forward growth expectations already well-anchored with room for upside, the firm likes the setup for Tools.
Wolfe Research
Doug Schenkel
Peer Perform -> Outperform
upgrade
$480
2025-12-10
Reason
Wolfe Research
Doug Schenkel
Price Target
$480
2025-12-10
upgrade
Peer Perform -> Outperform
Reason
Wolfe Research analyst Doug Schenkel upgraded Waters to Outperform from Peer Perform with a $480 price target. The stock is positioned to outperform given Waters' above average core growth, upside to forma financial targets, "very attractive" free cash flow profile, and "top-notch" management team, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Wolfe believes the company is positioned to generate 6%-7% revenue growth and 200-300 basis points of operating margin expansion during its five-year model period.
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.
