12 Best Scientific Instruments Stocks to Buy Right Now

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9. Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 32

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) is a leading provider of analytical instruments and software, specializing in chromatography, mass spectrometry, and thermal analysis technologies. The company designs, manufactures, and services high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems, ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), and mass spectrometry (MS) systems, along with essential consumables and support services. In the past 12 months, the stock has surged by over 13%, which makes it one of the best scientific instruments stocks to invest in.

In January 2025, Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) launched the Andrew+ Pod, a cutting-edge benchtop enclosure designed to enhance the safety and efficiency of its pipetting robots. This new product offers customizable air filtration options, improving sample integrity and user safety. On the sustainability front, the company was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for the fourth consecutive year in December 2024.

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) reported solid financial performance for the full year 2024, with sales reaching $2.96 billion, in line with guidance but flat year-over-year, reflecting resilience amid foreign exchange headwinds. Earnings per share (EPS) were $10.71 on a GAAP basis, while non-GAAP EPS grew 1% to $11.86 despite a 5% headwind from currency fluctuations. The company generated $762 million in operating cash flow and $744 million in free cash flow, representing a healthy 25% of total sales.

On February 13, 2025, Scotiabank analyst Sung Ji Nam upgraded Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) from a Hold to a Buy with a target price increase from $430 to $450, representing a potential upside of 18.17%.

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