Waters posts Q2 2026 loss, raises full-year outlook
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.
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.
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What were Waters Corporation (WAT)'s Q2 2026 revenues and earnings?
How did Waters Corporation (WAT)'s organic business perform in Q2 2026?
Why did Waters Corporation (WAT) report a GAAP loss in Q2 2026?
What full-year 2026 guidance did Waters Corporation (WAT) provide?
What is Waters Corporation (WAT)'s Q3 2026 outlook for revenue and EPS?
How did the acquisition of Becton Dickinson’s BDS businesses impact Waters Corporation (WAT)?
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.