Rothschild Investment LLC Boosts Holdings in Waters Co. (NYSE:WAT)

Rothschild Investment LLC increased its holdings in Waters Co. (NYSE:WAT) by 23.1% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 293 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the period. Rothschild Investment LLC’s holdings in Waters were worth $109,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Kennebec Savings Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Waters during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust bought a new position in Waters in the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC grew its position in Waters by 235.7% in the 4th quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 94 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new position in Waters in the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, R Squared Ltd bought a new position in shares of Waters during the 4th quarter worth $63,000. 94.01% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Waters Stock Up 0.5 %

WAT opened at $381.31 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.65. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $389.11 and a 200-day simple moving average of $366.82. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.60, a P/E/G ratio of 3.79 and a beta of 1.01. Waters Co. has a 12 month low of $279.24 and a 12 month high of $423.56.

Waters (NYSE:WAT) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 12th. The medical instruments supplier reported $4.10 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.02 by $0.08. Waters had a return on equity of 46.31% and a net margin of 21.56%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Waters Co. will post 12.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. UBS Group increased their price target on Waters from $405.00 to $410.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. TD Cowen increased their price target on Waters from $363.00 to $410.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Waters from $332.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Waters from $340.00 to $380.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered Waters from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $390.40.

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.