Forbes J M 13F: New $211K Stake in Waters (WAT)

Forbes J M opened a new position in Waters Corporation (WAT) with a purchase of 481 shares valued at approximately $211,347 in a filing on October 16, 2026. This new stake reflects the fund's interest in the company, which operates in the healthcare sector, focusing on diagnostics and research.

What Changed in Forbes J M's Waters Corporation Position

Forbes J M's recent purchase marks the first entry into Waters Corporation, as the fund previously held no shares. The addition of 481 shares indicates a strategic move to capitalize on the growth opportunities within the healthcare diagnostics industry.

Other Institutional Activity in Waters Corporation

Several other institutional investors have positioned themselves in Waters Corporation as well. Blackrock Inc. holds about 8.48 million shares, though it trimmed its position by 58,093 shares. Vanguard Capital Management LLC increased its holdings by 36,996 shares, totaling approximately 6.42 million shares. Vanguard Portfolio Management LLC reduced its stake by 13,788 shares to about 4.74 million shares, and Massachusetts Financial Services Co. decreased its holdings slightly by 5,093 shares. State Street Corporation raised its position by 20,065 shares, ending with about 4.38 million shares.

Waters Corporation Stock Down 2.4%

Waters Corporation's stock trades recently around $433.35. This price is above its 50-day moving average of approximately $419.78 and its 200-day average of about $365.97. However, it is still below the 52-week high of $454.54 by about 4.7%.

Recent Earnings

For the trailing twelve months, Waters Corporation reported revenue of approximately $4.64 billion, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 113.4%. The company's net margin stands at 3.6%, and it has a return on equity (ROE) of 1.9%. The next earnings report is expected on November 3, 2026.

Insider Buying and Selling at Waters Corporation

Several insiders have made trades in Waters Corporation recently. Director Richard H. Fearon bought 1,000 shares on March 6, 2026, at an average price of $306.34, totaling about $306,340. Another director, Wei Jiang, purchased 500 shares on March 16, 2026, for about $144,730. However, director Christopher A. Kuebler sold 3,626 shares on August 6, 2026, at an average price of $397.94, totaling approximately $1.44 million.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Analysts have been optimistic about Waters Corporation's prospects. On September 9, 2026, UBS upgraded the stock to a Buy rating with a target price of $490. Goldman Sachs maintained a Buy rating with a target of $515 on September 21, and Guggenheim also kept a Buy rating with a target of $490 on October 1. Barclays and TD Cowen reiterated their Buy ratings with targets of $500 and $515, respectively.

About Waters Corporation

Waters Corporation provides analytical workflow solutions globally, focusing on liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry technologies. The company serves various industries, emphasizing research and diagnostics. This new investment from Forbes J M comes amid favorable analyst ratings and strong recent revenue growth.

Bottom Line

Investors should monitor Waters Corporation as it approaches its next earnings report on November 3, 2026. The recent institutional interest reflects confidence in the company's growth potential. The filings may not represent current positions, so further changes could occur as the market evolves.