About Waters Corporation
Waters Corporation (WAT) has been publicly traded since 1995, making it a 31-year-old public company. It operates in the Diagnostics & Research industry within the Healthcare sector. The company is headquartered in Milford, United States and employs approximately 7,900 people. With a market capitalization of $28 billion, WAT is a large established company.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- $286.57
- Market Cap
- $28.11B
- 52-Week High
- $414.15
- 52-Week Low
- $275.05
- Sector
- Healthcare
- Industry
- Diagnostics & Research
$1,000 Invested
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Annual Returns
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | -24.55% | $379.83 | $286.57 |
| 2025 | +2.39% | $370.98 | $379.83 |
| 2024 | +12.68% | $329.23 | $370.98 |
| 2023 | -3.90% | $342.58 | $329.23 |
| 2022 | -8.06% | $372.60 | $342.58 |
| 2021 | +50.59% | $247.42 | $372.60 |
| 2020 | +5.89% | $233.65 | $247.42 |
| 2019 | +23.85% | $188.65 | $233.65 |
| 2018 | -2.35% | $193.19 | $188.65 |
| 2017 | +43.75% | $134.39 | $193.19 |
| 2016 | -0.14% | $134.58 | $134.39 |
| 2015 | +19.39% | $112.72 | $134.58 |
| 2014 | +12.72% | $100.00 | $112.72 |
| 2013 | +14.78% | $87.12 | $100.00 |
| 2012 | +17.65% | $74.05 | $87.12 |
| 2011 | -4.71% | $77.71 | $74.05 |
| 2010 | +25.42% | $61.96 | $77.71 |
| 2009 | +69.06% | $36.65 | $61.96 |
| 2008 | -53.65% | $79.07 | $36.65 |
| 2007 | +61.47% | $48.97 | $79.07 |
| 2006 | +29.55% | $37.80 | $48.97 |
| 2005 | -19.21% | $46.79 | $37.80 |
| 2004 | +41.10% | $33.16 | $46.79 |
| 2003 | +52.25% | $21.78 | $33.16 |
| 2002 | -43.79% | $38.75 | $21.78 |
| 2001 | -53.59% | $83.50 | $38.75 |
| 2000 | +215.09% | $26.50 | $83.50 |
| 1999 | +21.49% | $21.81 | $26.50 |
| 1998 | +128.85% | $9.53 | $21.81 |
| 1997 | +25.51% | $7.59 | $9.53 |
| 1996 | +66.44% | $4.56 | $7.59 |
Valuation
WAT currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 26.7, which is considered high relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 17.6 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 6.7. The price-to-sales ratio is 8.9.
Dividends
Waters Corporation does not currently pay a dividend, choosing to reinvest earnings back into the business for growth.
Risk & Volatility
WAT has a beta of 1.20, indicating it is significantly more volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is $275.05 to $414.15, and it currently trades near its 52-week low.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 21 analyst opinions, WAT has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target of $398.05 suggests 38.9% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Waters Corporation do? ▼
Waters Corporation is a Diagnostics & Research company operating in the Healthcare sector. The company is headquartered in Milford, United States.
What sector is WAT in? ▼
WAT operates in the Healthcare sector, specifically in the Diagnostics & Research industry.
When did WAT go public? ▼
Waters Corporation went public in 1995, making it a 31-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would $1,000 invested in WAT 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A $1,000 investment in WAT five years ago would be worth approximately $1,051 today, representing a 5.1% return.
Does WAT pay dividends? ▼
No, Waters Corporation does not currently pay a dividend. The company reinvests its earnings into growth.
What is WAT's market cap? ▼
Waters Corporation has a market capitalization of $28 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.
What is WAT's P/E ratio? ▼
WAT has a trailing P/E ratio of 26.7 and a forward P/E of 17.6, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is WAT a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 21 opinions, WAT has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target is $398.05.
Last updated: 3/14/2026