-- CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:
We raise our 12-month price target to $370 from $335, based on 25.5x our 2026 EPS estimate of $14.50 (up from $14.39; 2027 EPS down $0.05 to $16.34). This is a discount to WAT's three- and five-year historical forward P/E averages of 26.3x and 27.4x, respectively. We see ongoing weakness in academic/government end markets. We also note ongoing policy challenges in China, a key market for several U.S. life sciences tools and services firms, including headwinds for immunodiagnostics from China's diagnosis-related group reimbursement updates. While uncertainty remains regarding WAT's ability to fully realize anticipated synergies from the BDX deal, we view Q1 results as encouraging. The acquired Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions businesses generated $520M in revenue since closing, $40M above guidance, representing a meaningful sequential improvement from Q4 2025. Of note, the Biosciences division saw just a 1% sales decline on a full-quarter pro forma basis, compared to a 10% decline in Q4 2025.