Waters grows 2025 sales 7% and boosts 2026 outlook
Waters Corporation reported solid fourth quarter and full-year 2025 results and issued strong 2026 guidance alongside closing its acquisition of BD Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions.
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Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Waters Corporation reported solid fourth quarter and full-year 2025 results and issued strong 2026 guidance alongside closing its acquisition of BD Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions. Fourth quarter 2025 sales were $932 million, up 7%, with non-GAAP EPS up 10% to $4.53, while GAAP diluted EPS slipped slightly to $3.77.
For full-year 2025, sales grew 7% to $3.17 billion, GAAP EPS was $10.76 versus $10.71, and non-GAAP EPS rose 11% to $13.13. Growth was led by pharmaceutical and industrial markets and by recurring service and chemistry revenues. Cash and cash equivalents increased to $587.8 million, and debt declined to $1.41 billion.
For 2026, Waters expects total reported revenue of $6.41–$6.46 billion including about $3.0 billion from the acquired BD businesses and revenue synergies, with organic reported revenue of $3.36–$3.41 billion. Full-year 2026 non-GAAP EPS is guided to $14.30–$14.50, implying roughly 8.9–10.4% growth, while GAAP EPS is projected at $6.63–$6.83 due to acquisition-related charges.
Positive
- Strong non-GAAP earnings growth and outlook: 2025 non-GAAP EPS rose 11% to $13.13, and 2026 non-GAAP EPS is guided to $14.30–$14.50, implying roughly 8.9–10.4% additional growth on a much larger revenue base.
- Transformative revenue scale from BD acquisition: 2026 total reported revenue is projected at $6.405–$6.455 billion, including about $3.0 billion from the acquired Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions businesses, roughly doubling the company’s 2025 sales.
Negative
- Lower projected GAAP profitability post-acquisition: 2026 GAAP EPS is guided to $6.63–$6.83, well below 2025 GAAP EPS of $10.76, reflecting significant acquisition-related amortization and costs that materially reduce reported earnings.
Insights
Waters posts steady 2025 growth and guides to much larger, higher-earnings 2026 after the BD Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions acquisition.
Waters Corporation grew 2025 net sales 7% to $3.17 billion, with non-GAAP EPS up 11% to $13.13. Growth was broad-based: pharmaceutical sales rose 9%, industrial 6%, and recurring service and chemistry revenues 8%, supporting more stable cash flows.
The company closed its combination with Becton, Dickinson’s Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions business, transforming scale. For 2026, total reported revenue is guided to $6.405–$6.455 billion, including $3.0 billion from the acquired businesses, while organic constant-currency growth is targeted at 5.5–7.0%.
Non-GAAP EPS in 2026 is projected at $14.30–$14.50, about 8.9–10.4% growth, including modest accretion from the BD assets. GAAP EPS is expected to fall to $6.63–$6.83 because of sizable non-cash amortization and related acquisition costs, so headline profitability will depend heavily on non-GAAP adjustments and synergy execution.
8-K Event Classification
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