WAT Stock Analysis: Buy, Sell, or Hold?
WAT - Waters Corp
$370.72
-4.46 (-1.19%)
▼
HOLD
LOW Confidence
Last Updated: January 30, 2026
Earnings: Feb 12, 2026
12d
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Interactive Price Chart (1 Month)
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Bottom Line:
📊 HOLD: WAT shows mixed signals. Fine to hold existing positions. Not urgent to buy or sell.
📊 HOLD: WAT shows mixed signals. Fine to hold existing positions. Not urgent to buy or sell.
Long-Term Wealth Forecast (2031)
Based on Analyst Consensus Growth & Historical Valuation
0% (Stagnation)
50% (Hyper Growth)
EST. PRICE IN 2031
$491.02
Based on 6.6% avg growth
INTRINSIC VALUE TODAY
$304.89
Trading above fair value
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 25.0x Exit PE.
In-depth Analysis How we analyze
Valuation Analysis: WAT is currently trading at $370.72, which is considered oversold relative to its 30-day fair value range of $381.55 to $396.60. The stock's valuation (Forward PE: 26.2) is in line with its historical norms (27.2). Remarkably, the market is currently pricing in an annual earnings decline of 1.2% over the next few years. This aligns with recent fundamental challenges.
Technical Outlook: Technically, WAT is in a strong uptrend. The price is currently testing key support at $369.60. A bounce from this level would confirm strength, while a break below could signal further downside.
Market Sentiment: The stock shows a mixed technical setup (40/100), with neutral trendline and momentum signals. 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. Wall Street analysts see significant upside, with an average price target of $412.95 (+10.1%). The stock is fairly positioned - fine to hold existing positions or accumulate slowly on dips, but not an urgent buy.
Technical Outlook: Technically, WAT is in a strong uptrend. The price is currently testing key support at $369.60. A bounce from this level would confirm strength, while a break below could signal further downside.
Market Sentiment: The stock shows a mixed technical setup (40/100), with neutral trendline and momentum signals. 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. Wall Street analysts see significant upside, with an average price target of $412.95 (+10.1%). The stock is fairly positioned - fine to hold existing positions or accumulate slowly on dips, but not an urgent buy.
Quick Decision Summary
Current Position
OVERSOLD
Fair Price Range
$381.55 -
$396.60
Company Quality Score
60/100
(HOLD)
Volume Confirmation
HIGH
Confidence Score
81.5%
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: Price oversold vs 30-day range
- BULLISH: Options cheap (IV 0th percentile)
- NEUTRAL: Mixed technical signals (40/100)
- BULLISH: High volume confirmation
- BULLISH: Trading below Wall St target ($412.95)
- CAUTION: Recommendation downgraded due to -5.5% 5-day decline
Fair Price Analysis
30-Day Fair Range
$381.55 -
$396.60
Current vs Fair Value
OVERSOLD
Expected Move (7 Days)
±$15.38
(4.1%)
Support & Resistance Levels
Support Level
$369.60
Resistance Level
$401.10
Current Trend
Strong Uptrend
Fundamental Context
Forward P/E (Next Year Est.)
26.21
Wall Street Target
$412.95
(+10.1%)
Revenue Growth (YoY)
8.0%
Earnings Growth (YoY)
-7.7%
Profit Margin
20.9%
Valuation Discount vs History
-1.2% cheaper
PE vs Historical
26.2 vs 27.2
FAIR
Market-Implied Price Targets
If current PE multiple persists
Implied Growth (YoY):
-1.2%
(market-implied from PE analysis)
1-Year Target
$370.68
(-1%)
2-Year Target
$366.23
(-2%)
3-Year Target
$361.83
(-4%)
3-Yr Target (if PE normalizes)
(PE: 26→27)
$375.44
(+0%)
3-Year Scenarios
Using analyst projected EPS growth
Bull:
(PE: 26.2, Growth: 9.1%)
$487.69
(+30%)
Base:
(SPY PE: 22.3, Growth: 9.1%)
$414.87
(+11%)
Bear:
(PE: 19.0, Growth: 9.1%)
$352.64
(-6%)
📈
Valuation based on Current Earnings
RECOVERY PLAY: Stock looks expensive now (36x PE), but valuation improves significantly next year (26x PE) as earnings recover.
Trailing PE: 35.89 | Current EPS (TTM): $10.87
Bull Case
$564.98
(+51%)
Analyst growth 31.7%, PE expands to 39.5
Base Case
$513.62
(+37%)
Market implied 31.7%, PE stable at 35.9
Bear Case
$265.26
(-29%)
Severe decline -20.0%, PE contracts to 30.5
These are projections based on PE multiples and EPS growth scenarios, not predictions. Actual results may vary significantly.
💡
Upside Surprise Potential
If earnings stabilize (0% growth), PE could expand from 26.2 to 27.2
Stabilization Target:
$389.29
(+3.8%)
PE Expansion Potential:
+3.8%
Last updated: January 30, 2026 5:37 PM ET
Data refreshes hourly during market hours. Next update: 6:37 PM
Data refreshes hourly during market hours. Next update: 6:37 PM
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Technical Signals Check
Is WAT showing a specific setup today?
Insider Activity (6 Months)
5
Buys
0
Sells
+
Net
NEUTRAL
Recent Transactions
Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr.
BUY
2025-09-30
Ro Khanna
BUY
2025-09-29
Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr.
BUY
2025-08-26
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Advanced WAT Option Strategies
Professional options setups generated by AI based on today's WAT price and gamma walls.
