Yahoo! Finance Canada report covering Waters Corporation (WAT) market action, institutional positioning, and fundamental catalysts.
Why WAT Stock dropped -2.85% Today — RQD Quant Desk Flash
Waters Corporation (WAT) earns a Roarable Rating of B (Buy) with 72/100 RQD Confidence. High-quality cash engine (59.3% gross margin, 17% return on capital) with steady institutional support. The company’s underlying cash engine and institutional positioning keep the composite score in the Green Buy zone.
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Is WAT stock a Buy, Hold, or Sell right now according to Roarable's RQD model?
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As of 2026-11-03, Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) is rated B (Buy / BUY) by Roarable's 5-pillar RQD engine with a composite confidence score of 72/100 at a spot price of $449.53 (-2.85% 1D, market cap $45.46B). Pillar breakdown: Fundamental Cash Engine 15/20, Institutional 13F & Options Flow 18/20, SEC Balance-Sheet Forensics 16/20, FRED Macro Regime Fit 14/20, and Executive Insider Alignment 9/20. Across 1015 tracked Health Care issuers, WAT ranks #55 in composite RQD confidence.
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How does WAT compare to A and MTD in the Health Care sector?
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Within the Health Care sector (Biotechnology: Laboratory Analytical Instruments), WAT carries a Roarable B (72/100 RQD), trailing P/E of 73.4x, gross margin of 59.3%, and ROIC of 16.8%. By comparison, A (Agilent Technologies Inc.) holds a B grade (72/100 RQD, P/E 39.2x, ROIC 15.3%, cap $49.30B) and MTD (Mettler-Toledo International Inc.) posts a B+ grade (78/100 RQD, P/E 39.6x, ROIC 30.4%, cap $33.56B). Among the 5-stock peer group, A leads on earnings multiple (39.2x) while MTD leads on capital efficiency (30.4% ROIC).
🤖 Gideon Ashmere • AI SEC 10-K Forensics (Click for Instant Brief)
What are the biggest fundamental strengths and SEC risk factors for WAT?
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Per WAT's SEC EDGAR XBRL 10-K filing (FY2025, filed 2025-12-31, CIK 0001000697), Waters Corporation generated $3.17B in revenue (+7.0% YoY), $642.6M in net income, and $510.1M in free cash flow against $5.08B in total assets and $947.0M in total debt. Key quantitative strengths: Strong cash generator (59.3% gross margin)—profits are backed by real money, not accounting tricks. Primary risk factors monitored: Company executives have done more routine share selling than personal cash buying lately. Institutional options positioning shows a 50% call / 50% put premium split.
Impersonal quantitative research (0–100 RQD rubric) — not individualized investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Full Disclaimer
20D Institutional Volume Accumulation (±6.5% realized swing band)
Altman Z-Score 15.49 (FORTRESS SAFE (>3.0)) • Piotroski F-Score 9/9
Disciplined Float (+0.80% YoY Shares) & executive Form 4 sales trim 11 pts from alignment
⚔️ Adversarial Opposing Case: Why the WAT Bull Thesis Could Fail
Even with a 72/100 (B) score, WAT faces multiple-compression risk if 73.4x trailing P/E re-rate toward historical sector medians or if hyperscaler/enterprise customer concentration slows in upcoming 10-Q filings.
Company executives have done more routine share selling than personal cash buying lately.
Priced at 73x earnings—high expectations leave less room for a lukewarm quarter.
Technical & Forensic Kill-Switch: A daily close below the 50D SMA ($433.92) or 200D SMA ($370.80) invalidates the momentum regime and cuts Target Base ($477.85) toward Bear Floor ($368.61).
Why WAT Stock dropped -2.85% Today — RQD Quant Desk Flash
Waters Corporation (WAT) dropped -2.85% to $449.53, trading at 84% of its 52-week range ($282.77 – $482.28). High-quality cash engine (59.3% gross margin, 17% return on capital) with steady institutional support.
- ▸Technical Tape: Trading at 84% of its 52-week range ($282.77 – $482.28) with RSI-14 at 55.8 (BULLISH MOMENTUM).
- ▸Volatility Profile: Historical 20-day realized swing band of ±6.5% around $449.53 (no active unusual options sweep snapshot on file).
- ▸Fundamental Anchor: Roarable B (Buy) backed by 59.3% gross margin and $510.1M annual free cash flow.
Yahoo Finance UK report covering Waters Corporation (WAT) market action, institutional positioning, and fundamental catalysts.
TradingView report covering Waters Corporation (WAT) market action, institutional positioning, and fundamental catalysts.
Simply Wall St report covering Waters Corporation (WAT) market action, institutional positioning, and fundamental catalysts.
Yahoo Finance report covering Waters Corporation (WAT) market action, institutional positioning, and fundamental catalysts.
Simply Wall St report covering Waters Corporation (WAT) market action, institutional positioning, and fundamental catalysts.
ad-hoc-news.de report covering Waters Corporation (WAT) market action, institutional positioning, and fundamental catalysts.
Yahoo Finance report covering Waters Corporation (WAT) market action, institutional positioning, and fundamental catalysts.
Labcorp Holdings (NYSE: LH) partnered with Waters Corporation to deploy the BD Onclarity HPV Assay across its national laboratory network. The BD Onclarity HPV Assay rollout is designed to broaden access to advanced cerv
Waters (NYSE:WAT) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 2.93% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 11.87%. Currently, Waters has a market capitalization of $46.85 billion. Buying
Scheduled RQD Strong Buys & Whale Accumulation Briefing (WAT Tape Review)
- ✓Breakdown of the highest-scoring RQD Green-Light breakouts across our 5,200+ rated universe
- ✓Forensic Red-Light accounting & dilution traps to review on your watchlist
- ✓Includes downloadable .ics calendar invite & nightly RQD rating-change email alerts
WAT Dilution Monitor, Expectations Hurdle, Butterfly Connections & Policy Exposure
Multi-year comparable XBRL diluted share count not disclosed (ETF or recent listing).
vs. +7.0% actual YoY revenue growth (assuming 9.25% cost of equity & 16.5x terminal multiple).
No active Ellis Vennor swing setup published on WAT today. View full Setup Ledger →
No direct multi-tier Butterfly edges indexed yet for WAT. Explore sector supply chains on /butterfly.
📊 Quantitative Sector Peer Comparison, SEC Filing Delta & Investment FAQ (WAT)
1. Head-to-Head Health Care Peer Comparison (WAT vs. A, MTD, RVTY, AVTR)
Industry: Biotechnology: Laboratory Analytical Instruments (21 Tracked Issuers)Across 1015 tracked Health Care securities in the Roarable RQD universe, Waters Corporation (WAT) ranks #55 by composite RQD confidence (72/100, grade B) and #40 by equity capitalization ($45.46B). Within this direct 5-issuer industry benchmark cohort, A leads on earnings valuation at 39.2x trailing P/E, while MTD leads on capital efficiency and profitability with 30.4% ROIC and 59.4% gross margin. MTD currently holds the highest overall quantitative score in the immediate peer group at 78/100 (B+) compared with WAT at 72/100 (B).
| Ticker / Company | Roarable Grade | RQD Score | Trailing P/E | Gross Margin | ROIC | 1D Change | Market Cap | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAT
ACTIVE
Waters Corporation | B | 72/100 | 73.4x | 59.3% | 16.8% | -2.85% | $45.46B | Benchmark Subject |
| A Agilent Technologies Inc. | B | 72/100 | 39.2x | 52.4% | 15.3% | -1.65% | $49.30B | /a-vs-wat → |
| MTD Mettler-Toledo International Inc. | B+ | 78/100 | 39.6x | 59.4% | 30.4% | +0.20% | $33.56B | /mtd-vs-wat → |
| RVTY Revvity Inc. | C | 65/100 | 76.7x | — | 3.1% | -3.44% | $17.52B | /rvty-vs-wat → |
| AVTR Avantor Inc. | D+ | 56/100 | — | 32.7% | -2.1% | -2.74% | $10.88B | /avtr-vs-wat → |
2. Multi-Year SEC XBRL Revenue, Cash Flow & Balance-Sheet Trajectory (FY2023–FY2025)
SEC EDGAR 10-K • FILED 2025-12-31 • CIK 0001000697 ↗In its most recent audited fiscal period (FY2025, filed 2025-12-31), Waters Corporation (WAT) reported GAAP revenue of $3.17B (+7.0% vs. FY2024 revenue of $2.96B , and +7.1% cumulative change since FY2023) , GAAP net income of $642.6M, operating cash flow of $652.6M, and free cash flow of $510.1M (-18.9% YoY). On the balance sheet, WAT closed FY2025 with $5.08B in total assets against $947.0M in total debt (Altman Z-Score: 15.49, Piotroski F-Score: 9/9).
| Fiscal Period | Filing Date | Revenue | Net Income | Operating Cash Flow | Free Cash Flow | Total Assets | Total Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 (FY) | 2025-12-31 | $3.17B | $642.6M | $652.6M | $510.1M | $5.08B | $947.0M |
| FY2024 (FY) | 2024-12-31 | $2.96B | $637.8M | $762.1M | $629.0M | $4.55B | $1.63B |
| FY2023 (FY) | 2023-12-31 | $2.96B | $642.2M | $602.8M | $469.8M | $25.94B | $6.07B |
3. WAT Data-Verified Investor FAQ (RQD Rating, Sector Peers, SEC Forensics & Technicals)
✓ SCHEMA.ORG FAQPAGE JSON-LD ENABLEDIs WAT stock a Buy, Hold, or Sell right now according to Roarable's RQD model?
As of 2026-11-03, Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) is rated B (Buy / BUY) by Roarable's 5-pillar RQD engine with a composite confidence score of 72/100 at a spot price of $449.53 (-2.85% 1D, market cap $45.46B). Pillar breakdown: Fundamental Cash Engine 15/20, Institutional 13F & Options Flow 18/20, SEC Balance-Sheet Forensics 16/20, FRED Macro Regime Fit 14/20, and Executive Insider Alignment 9/20. Across 1015 tracked Health Care issuers, WAT ranks #55 in composite RQD confidence.
How does WAT compare to A and MTD in the Health Care sector?
Within the Health Care sector (Biotechnology: Laboratory Analytical Instruments), WAT carries a Roarable B (72/100 RQD), trailing P/E of 73.4x, gross margin of 59.3%, and ROIC of 16.8%. By comparison, A (Agilent Technologies Inc.) holds a B grade (72/100 RQD, P/E 39.2x, ROIC 15.3%, cap $49.30B) and MTD (Mettler-Toledo International Inc.) posts a B+ grade (78/100 RQD, P/E 39.6x, ROIC 30.4%, cap $33.56B). Among the 5-stock peer group, A leads on earnings multiple (39.2x) while MTD leads on capital efficiency (30.4% ROIC).
What are the biggest fundamental strengths and SEC risk factors for WAT?
Per WAT's SEC EDGAR XBRL 10-K filing (FY2025, filed 2025-12-31, CIK 0001000697), Waters Corporation generated $3.17B in revenue (+7.0% YoY), $642.6M in net income, and $510.1M in free cash flow against $5.08B in total assets and $947.0M in total debt. Key quantitative strengths: Strong cash generator (59.3% gross margin)—profits are backed by real money, not accounting tricks. Primary risk factors monitored: Company executives have done more routine share selling than personal cash buying lately. Institutional options positioning shows a 50% call / 50% put premium split.
Where is WAT trading relative to its 50-day, 200-day, and 52-week technical levels?
WAT last traded at $449.53 (-2.85% on volume of 1,943,638 shares), positioning the stock +3.60% above its 50-day simple moving average ($433.92) and +21.23% above its 200-day simple moving average ($370.80). Across its 52-week range of $282.77 to $482.28, WAT sits at the 83.6% percentile with a 14-day RSI of 55.8 (BULLISH MOMENTUM) and an implied next-earnings move of ±6.5% ($420.31 to $478.75).
WAT — Waters Corporation: What the Facts Mean to a Prospective Investor
1. Roarable Rating Brief: What This Means to a Prospective Investor
Waters Corporation (WAT) earns a live Roarable RQD composite score of 72/100, corresponding to a B letter grade (Roarable Buy) at a spot price of $449.53 (-2.85% 1D, market capitalization $45.46B).
- Fundamental Cash Engine (15/20): Anchored by return on invested capital (ROIC) of 16.8%, gross margin of 59.3%, operating margin of 25.4%, and free cash flow yield of 1.08%.
- Whale 13F & Options Flow (18/20) + Insider Conviction (9/20): Tracks institutional 13F accumulation, CBOE options call/put positioning, and SEC Form 4 / Congressional PTR filings.
- Macro Regime Fit (14/20) + Forensic Balance Sheet (16/20): Incorporates a 1.02x equity beta, Altman Z-Score of 15.49, Piotroski F-Score of 9/9, and Debt/Equity of 0.37x.
2. Business Model, Unit Margins & SEC Financial Trajectory
Waters Corporation is a NYSE-listed issuer classified under the Health Care sector and the Biotechnology: Laboratory Analytical Instruments industry.. The company reports revenue of $3.17B for FY 2025 and gross margin of 59.3%.
In its latest audited SEC EDGAR 10-K filing for FY2025 (filed 2025-12-31), Waters Corporation (WAT) reported $3.17B in annual revenue (up from $2.96B in FY2024, +7.0% YoY) and $642.6M in GAAP net income. Over the multi-year SEC filing window from FY2023 ($2.96B revenue, $642.2M net income) through FY2025, WAT scaled operating cash flow to $652.6M and free cash flow to $510.1M, backed by $5.08B in total assets against $947.0M in total debt.
3. Institutional Bull vs. Bear Thesis & Valuation Tradeoff
- 🐂 Primary Bull Case (B • RQD 72/100): Strong cash generator (59.3% gross margin)—profits are backed by real money, not accounting tricks. Big institutional funds and options desks are actively positioning on the bullish side. With Fundamental Cash Engine at 15/20 and Institutional Whale Flow at 18/20, sustained execution supports upside toward the upper end of the $282.77 – $482.28 52-week range.
- 🐻 Primary Bear Case & Valuation Risk: Company executives have done more routine share selling than personal cash buying lately. Investors must weigh 73.4x trailing P/E and 51.5x EV/EBITDA against 25.4% operating margins and a 1.02x macro beta.
4. 2nd-Order Butterfly Ripples & Key Questions to Watch
Operating in Biotechnology: Laboratory Analytical Instruments (Health Care), WAT carries a macro regime beta of 1.02 and gross margin of 59.3%.
- Key Question #1: Can WAT sustain or expand its 25.4% operating margin and 16.8% ROIC against Biotechnology: Laboratory Analytical Instruments peers over the next 4 quarters?
- Key Question #2: Following FY2025 revenue of $3.17B and free cash flow of $510.1M, how will capital allocation balance growth reinvestment against $947.0M in total debt?
- Key Question #3: How sensitive is WAT's 68.3x forward P/E multiple to Health Care capital spending cycles and macro interest-rate shifts (Beta 1.02x)?
WAT Live News Feed, Press Releases & Catalyst Wire
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Yahoo! Finance Canada report covering Waters Corporation (WAT) market action, institutional positioning, and fundamental catalysts.
Yahoo Finance UK report covering Waters Corporation (WAT) market action, institutional positioning, and fundamental catalysts.
TradingView report covering Waters Corporation (WAT) market action, institutional positioning, and fundamental catalysts.
Simply Wall St report covering Waters Corporation (WAT) market action, institutional positioning, and fundamental catalysts.
Yahoo Finance report covering Waters Corporation (WAT) market action, institutional positioning, and fundamental catalysts.
Simply Wall St report covering Waters Corporation (WAT) market action, institutional positioning, and fundamental catalysts.
ad-hoc-news.de report covering Waters Corporation (WAT) market action, institutional positioning, and fundamental catalysts.
Yahoo Finance report covering Waters Corporation (WAT) market action, institutional positioning, and fundamental catalysts.
WAT Bull vs. Bear Conversation Board — What's Your Call at $449.53?
Institutional accumulation and a 9-of-9 Piotroski F-Score with a 15.49 Altman Z-Score signal strong positioning and financial health.
The street is overcomplicating Waters Corporation (WAT). Institutional accumulation and a 9-of-9 Piotroski F-Score with a 15.49 Altman Z-Score signal strong positioning and financial health.. With an RQD score of 72/100 (B) and Forensic Balance Sheet at 16/20, any positive earnings surprise or guidance raise forces underweight funds to chase above $499.74.
@ShortSeller_Dan Fair point on 73.4x trailing P/E, but you're ignoring the forward operating leverage in Biotechnology: Laboratory Analytical Instruments. If gross margin (59.3%) holds, EPS grows into the multiple faster than bears think.
A P/E (TTM) of 73.4 and EV/EBITDA of 51.5 against a 1.08% FCF yield leave little margin for error if expectations falter.
A P/E (TTM) of 73.4 and EV/EBITDA of 51.5 against a 1.08% FCF yield leave little margin for error if expectations falter.. Look at the math on WAT: paying 73.4x trailing P/E for 16.8% ROIC and 25.4% operating margins leaves zero margin of safety if Biotechnology: Laboratory Analytical Instruments demand softens. I'd wait for a retest of $407.19 before getting long.