Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) lifts 2026 guidance despite Q2 GAAP loss
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Waters Corporation reported strong top-line growth for the quarter ended July 4, 2026, with net revenue of $1.645 billion, up from $771 million a year earlier. Organic revenue was $828 million versus $771 million, representing 7% organic reported growth and 9% in constant currency, while the recently acquired Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions businesses contributed $817 million. By division, Analytical Sciences delivered $669 million, Biosciences $368 million, Advanced Diagnostics $521 million, and Materials Sciences $87 million.
Despite this growth, acquisition-related purchase accounting charges and other costs led to a GAAP diluted loss per share of $(1.39), compared with EPS of $2.47 in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted diluted EPS rose to $3.05 from $2.95. Operating cash flow for the quarter was $200 million and adjusted free cash flow was $202 million. The company raised full-year 2026 guidance, now expecting total revenue of $6.415–$6.476 billion and adjusted EPS of $14.45–$14.65, implying 7–9% organic constant currency revenue growth. Debt increased to $5.086 billion at July 4, 2026, reflecting financing for recent acquisitions, while total stockholders’ equity rose to $15.195 billion.
Positive
- Q2 2026 net revenue reached $1.645 billion, a 113% year-over-year increase from $771 million, with organic revenue up 7% (9% in constant currency) and all four operating divisions growing versus prior-year periods.
- Management raised full-year 2026 guidance, now projecting total revenue of $6.415–$6.476 billion and adjusted EPS of $14.45–$14.65, implying 7–9% organic constant currency growth and 10–12% adjusted EPS growth year over year.
Negative
- Waters recorded a Q2 2026 GAAP net loss of $136 million, or $(1.39) per diluted share, versus net income of $147 million and EPS of $2.47 a year earlier, driven by large acquisition-related amortization and other adjustments.
- Balance sheet leverage increased sharply, with notes payable and debt of $5.086 billion at July 4, 2026 versus $1.407 billion at December 31, 2025, and quarterly interest expense, net, rising to $55 million from $10 million.
- For the six months ended July 4, 2026, adjusted free cash flow was $161 million, below $392 million in the prior-year period, indicating a year-over-year decline in cash generation despite higher revenue.
Filing Explained
Waters reported its second-quarter results and issued third-quarter guidance, which remains forward-looking.
Waters used this Form 8-K, which reports specified material events, to furnish its second-quarter results; the accompanying release is expressly not deemed “filed” for Section 18 purposes. The new outlook is for the quarter ending
8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
organic constant currency revenue growth financial
inventory and fixed asset fair value step-ups financial
enterprise resource planning (ERP) system technical
retention bonus obligation financial
Free Cash Flow - Adjusted Non-GAAP financial
Earnings Snapshot
For full-year 2026, Waters expects total revenue of $6.415–$6.476 billion, organic constant currency revenue growth of 7–9%, and adjusted EPS of $14.45–$14.65; for Q3 2026 it projects total revenue of $1.745–$1.762 billion and adjusted EPS of $3.95–$4.05.
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