August 19, 2025 a 08:39 pm
WAT: Analysts Ratings - Waters Corporation
Waters Corporation is a notable player in the specialty measurement industry, providing analytical solutions globally. The varied responses from market analysts indicate a reserved sentiment with a predominant 'Hold' stance in recent months. While the presence of 'Strong Buy' ratings suggests some optimism, the increased 'Hold' ratings could reflect cautious market expectations.
Historical Stock Grades
Current analysis from recent data suggests a cautious but stable outlook on WAT with a significant tilt towards 'Hold'. Over several months, while 'Strong Buy' ratings have declined, the 'Hold' ratings remain predominant, indicating prevailing market hesitancy.
| Rating Category | Number of Ratings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Strong Buy | 2 | |
| Buy | 5 | |
| Hold | 12 | |
| Sell | 0 | |
| Strong Sell | 0 |
Sentiment Development
The number of 'Hold' ratings has displayed a steady uptrend, showcasing a cautious market stance. Conversely, 'Strong Buy' ratings have seen a decline over the observed period. Key observations include:
- A notable decrease in 'Strong Buy' ratings, which fell from 5 in late 2024 to 2 by mid-2025.
- 'Hold' ratings have dominated the landscape, reaching 17 at a peak, indicating analyst caution.
- Overall, the total ratings have been relatively stable, but with noticeable shifts in the ratings' composition.
Percentage Trends
The transition in ratings over recent months suggests a shift towards more conservative stances. Calculating the percentage of ratings each month outlines these trends clearly:
- 'Hold' ratings increased from approximately 30% in early 2023 to maintaining a level above 60% by 2025.
- The proportion of 'Strong Buy' ratings decreased significantly from late 2024 through 2025.
- Emerging trends show a stark decrease in 'Buy' categories, denoting a cautious approach by analysts.
- This shift indicates an industry perspective leaning more towards risk management than aggressive acquisition strategies.
Latest Analyst Recommendations
The latest analyst recommendations reflect a touch of indecision, maintaining prior advice with no immediate shift in sentiment. The stability of recommendations suggests a holding pattern in strategy:
| Date | New Recommendation | Last Recommendation | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-05 | Hold | Hold | Deutsche Bank |
| 2025-08-05 | Equal Weight | Equal Weight | Wells Fargo |
| 2025-08-04 | Buy | Buy | Jefferies |
| 2025-07-16 | Outperform | Outperform | Baird |
| 2025-07-15 | Equal Weight | Overweight | Wells Fargo |
Analyst Recommendations with Change of Opinion
Shifts in opinion primarily highlight strategic repositioning towards stability. Recent changes indicate realignment with current market conditions:
| Date | New Recommendation | Last Recommendation | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-15 | Equal Weight | Overweight | Wells Fargo |
| 2025-03-31 | Overweight | Sector Weight | Keybanc |
| 2025-03-26 | Outperform | Neutral | Baird |
| 2025-02-13 | Sector Outperform | Sector Perform | Scotiabank |
| 2025-02-10 | Equal Weight | Underweight | Barclays |
Interpretation
The analyst sentiment towards Waters Corporation suggests a predominantly cautious outlook, reflective of the broader industry conditions. This sentiment is stable, with no significant shifts in the positive or negative spectrum. The increase in 'Hold' ratings may indicate a prevailing sense of uncertainty, limiting aggressive moves. The well-distributed levels of ratings highlight a marketplace still evaluating fundamental aspects of Waters' offerings against current economic conditions.
Conclusion
The analysis of Waters Corporation indicates a stable yet cautiously evaluated position among market analysts. Despite a decrease in 'Strong Buy' ratings, the robustness in 'Hold' ratings points towards managed caution. As the market navigates through economic shifts, the steady nature of recommendations reflects an ongoing assessment of Waters Corporation's strategic and operational performance. Analysts appear prepared to observe rather than commit to bullish or bearish stances, indicating a focus on consistency amid evolving industry landscapes.