WAT Stock Analysis: Buy, Sell, or Hold?
WAT - Waters Corp
$403.62
-4.12 (-1.01%)
âŧ
5d:
-2.74%
30d:
+12.89%
90d:
+21.5%
WAIT
LOW Confidence
Analysis Updated: Aug 17, 2026 12:00 AM ET
Earnings: Aug 04, 2026
0d
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Interactive Price Chart (1 Month)
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Bottom Line:
âšī¸ NEUTRAL: WAT is fairly priced but lacks strong directional signals. At 3.1% expected growth, valuation appears fair. Wait for clearer setup or better entry on dips.
âšī¸ NEUTRAL: WAT is fairly priced but lacks strong directional signals. At 3.1% expected growth, valuation appears fair. Wait for clearer setup or better entry on dips.
Long-Term Wealth Forecast (2031)
Based on Analyst Consensus Growth & Historical Valuation
0% (Stagnation)
50% (Hyper Growth)
EST. PRICE IN 2031
$566.76
Based on 8.8% avg growth
INTRINSIC VALUE TODAY
$351.91
Trading above historical range
How this is calculated: We use a Growth Decay Model: starting with analyst consensus growth (adjusted above) and gradually slowing it down to a long-term terminal rate (4%) by Year 5. This provides a more realistic valuation than assuming constant hyper-growth. We then apply a 22.5x Exit PE.
In-depth Analysis How we analyze
Valuation Analysis: WAT is currently trading at $403.62, which is considered slightly high relative to its 30-day fair value range of $370.27 to $404.78. The stock's valuation (Forward PE: 24.6) is in line with its historical norms (22.5). At these levels, the market is pricing in 3.1% annual earnings growth.
Technical Outlook: Technically, WAT is in a strong uptrend. Immediate support is located at $379.50, while resistance sits at $420.26.
Market Sentiment: WAT scores 0/100 on our bottoming-setup gauge. Note this measures entry quality, not trend direction — a low score can mean the chart is extended after a strong run (don't chase) or still falling without stabilization; better entries typically come after a pullback toward the 20-day average. In the options market, Implied Volatility is low (0th percentile), suggesting options premiums are relatively cheap. This makes it an attractive time for long options strategies if you have a directional bias. Current signals suggest waiting for a better entry point before initiating new positions.
Technical Outlook: Technically, WAT is in a strong uptrend. Immediate support is located at $379.50, while resistance sits at $420.26.
Market Sentiment: WAT scores 0/100 on our bottoming-setup gauge. Note this measures entry quality, not trend direction — a low score can mean the chart is extended after a strong run (don't chase) or still falling without stabilization; better entries typically come after a pullback toward the 20-day average. In the options market, Implied Volatility is low (0th percentile), suggesting options premiums are relatively cheap. This makes it an attractive time for long options strategies if you have a directional bias. Current signals suggest waiting for a better entry point before initiating new positions.
Quick Decision Summary
Current Position
SLIGHTLY HIGH
Historical Trading Range
$370.27 -
$404.78
Company Quality Score
38/100
(SELL)
Volume Confirmation
HIGH
Confidence Score
52.7%
Protect Your Profits
Holding WAT? Use our AI-powered strategies to protect your downside while keeping your long-term position.
View Profit Protection PlanAll Signals
- BULLISH: Options cheap (IV 0th percentile)
- BEARISH: Weak technical setup (0/100)
- BULLISH: High volume confirmation
- NEUTRAL: Near Wall St target ($436.00)
- BULLISH: Expecting earnings turnaround to 3.1% growth with 113.4% revenue growth
- WARNING: Composite score 38/100 in the bottom quintile â this cohort historically lags the market
Trading Range Analysis
30-Day Trading Range
$370.27 -
$404.78
Current vs Trading Range
SLIGHTLY HIGH
Expected Move (7 Days)
Âą$17.87
(4.4%)
Support & Resistance Levels
Support Level
$379.50
Resistance Level
$420.26
Current Trend
Strong Uptrend
Technical data as of
Aug 17, 2026
Fundamental Context
Forward P/E (Next Year Est.)
24.62
Wall Street Target
$436.00
(+6.9%)
Revenue Growth (YoY)
113.4%
Earnings Growth (YoY)
-3.1%
Profit Margin
3.6%
Valuation Premium vs History
+3.1% premium
PE vs Historical
24.6 vs 22.5
FAIR
Market-Implied Price Targets
If current PE multiple persists
Implied Growth (YoY):
+3.1%
(market-implied from PE analysis)
1-Year Target
$420.38
(+3%)
2-Year Target
$433.41
(+6%)
3-Year Target
$446.85
(+10%)
3-Yr Target (if PE normalizes)
(PE: 25â23)
PE COMPRESSION
$408.40
(+0%)
Earnings growth offset by PE compression
3-Year Scenarios
Using analyst projected EPS growth
Bull:
(PE: 24.6, Growth: 13.6%)
$598.13
(+47%)
Base:
(SPY PE: 20.1, Growth: 13.6%)
$488.61
(+20%)
Bear:
(PE: 17.1, Growth: 13.6%)
$415.32
(+2%)
đ
Valuation based on Current Earnings
RECOVERY PLAY: Stock looks expensive now (28x PE), but valuation improves significantly next year (25x PE) as earnings recover.
Forward PE: 28.41 | Forward EPS (Implied): $14.35
Bull Case
$492.35
(+21%)
Analyst growth 15.0%, PE expands to 29.8
Base Case
$407.74
(0%)
Market implied 0.0%, PE stable at 28.4
Bear Case
$311.92
(-24%)
Severe decline -15.0%, PE contracts to 25.6
These are projections based on PE multiples and EPS growth scenarios, not predictions. Actual results may vary significantly.
Share & Embed Analysis
Last updated: August 18, 2026 11:25 AM ET
Data refreshes hourly during market hours. Next update: 12:25 PM
Data refreshes hourly during market hours. Next update: 12:25 PM
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Technical Signals Check
Is WAT showing a specific setup today?
Insider Activity (6 Months)
2
Buys
0
Sells
+
Net
INSIDERS BUYING
Recent Transactions
Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr.
BUY
2026-03-18
Wei Jiang
BUY
500 shares
2026-03-16
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Advanced WAT Option Strategies
Professional options setups generated by AI based on today's WAT price and gamma walls.
