American Century Companies Inc. Trims Stock Position in Waters Corporation $WAT

American Century Companies Inc. lessened its position in shares of Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) by 28.9% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 238,516 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock after selling 96,759 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. owned approximately 0.40% of Waters worth $83,252,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT purchased a new position in shares of Waters during the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. IFP Advisors Inc boosted its stake in Waters by 118.9% during the first quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 81 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 44 shares during the period. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd bought a new stake in Waters during the first quarter valued at $41,000. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV grew its position in Waters by 533.3% during the second quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 190 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $66,000 after buying an additional 160 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Steph & Co. bought a new position in Waters in the 2nd quarter worth about $73,000. 94.01% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Waters Stock Performance

Waters stock opened at $412.54 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The company has a market capitalization of $24.56 billion, a PE ratio of 37.20, a P/E/G ratio of 3.19 and a beta of 1.11. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $344.13 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $329.55. Waters Corporation has a twelve month low of $275.05 and a twelve month high of $423.56.

Waters (NYSE:WAT) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 19th. The medical instruments supplier reported $2.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $608.55 million for the quarter. Waters had a return on equity of 38.60% and a net margin of 21.71%. Research analysts expect that Waters Corporation will post 12.86 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have weighed in on WAT shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Waters from $300.00 to $325.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Waters in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. TD Cowen lifted their target price on shares of Waters from $345.00 to $390.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Redburn Partners set a $390.00 price target on shares of Waters in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group set a $385.00 price target on shares of Waters and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, August 4th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $381.57.

Waters Company Profile

Waters Corporation provides analytical workflow solutions in Asia, the Americas, and Europe. It operates through two segments: Waters and TA. The company designs, manufactures, sells, and services high and ultra-performance liquid chromatography, as well as mass spectrometry (MS) technology systems and support products, including chromatography columns, other consumable products, and post-warranty service plans.