Leavell Investment Management Inc. Lowers Stock Holdings in Waters Co. (NYSE:WAT)

Leavell Investment Management Inc. cut its holdings in Waters Co. (NYSE:WAT) by 0.4% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 11,412 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock after selling 48 shares during the quarter. Leavell Investment Management Inc.’s holdings in Waters were worth $4,234,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Kennebec Savings Bank acquired a new stake in Waters in the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Waters in the third quarter valued at about $35,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC increased its stake in shares of Waters by 235.7% during the fourth quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 94 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Waters during the 4th quarter worth about $63,000. Finally, Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. lifted its stake in Waters by 63.2% in the 3rd quarter. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. now owns 186 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $67,000 after buying an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. 94.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Waters Stock Down 0.6 %

Shares of NYSE WAT opened at $405.28 on Wednesday. Waters Co. has a 1 year low of $279.24 and a 1 year high of $423.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 2.02 and a quick ratio of 1.38. The company has a market capitalization of $24.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.67, a P/E/G ratio of 7.37 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $390.34 and a 200-day simple moving average of $363.72.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price objective on Waters from $310.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Scotiabank started coverage on Waters in a research note on Monday, December 23rd. They issued a “sector perform” rating and a $430.00 price objective for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Waters from $340.00 to $380.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, November 4th. Barclays raised shares of Waters from an “underweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and upped their target price for the stock from $360.00 to $415.00 in a report on Monday. Finally, Bank of America raised their price target on shares of Waters from $400.00 to $430.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, December 13th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $388.64.

About Waters

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.