Waters Corporation (WAT) P/E Ratio History
Historical price-to-earnings valuation from 1996 to 2026
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WAT Valuation Context
How does the current P/E compare to historical and market benchmarks?
P/E Ratio Analysis
As of May 6, 2026, Waters Corporation (WAT) trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.5x, with a stock price of $349.53 and trailing twelve-month earnings per share of $5.47.
The current P/E is roughly in line with its 5-year average of 30.5x. Over the past five years, WAT's P/E has ranged from a low of 23.5x to a high of 38.7x, placing the current valuation at the 60th percentile of its historical range.
Compared to the Healthcare sector median P/E of 22.1x, WAT trades at a 47% premium to its sector peers. The sector includes 242 companies with P/E ratios ranging from 0.0x to 178.0x.
The PEG ratio of 6.27 (P/E divided by 0% EPS growth) suggests the stock may be expensive relative to its earnings growth. Peter Lynch popularized the rule that a PEG below 1.0 indicates an attractive entry point.
Relative to the broader market, WAT commands a significant premium over the S&P 500 median P/E of 25.2x. Investors should consider the company's growth prospects, competitive position, and earnings quality when evaluating whether the current valuation is justified.
For a comprehensive intrinsic value estimate using discounted cash flow analysis, see our WAT DCF Valuation Calculator →
Note: P/E ratio is just one valuation metric. It does not account for balance sheet strength, cash flow quality, or growth sustainability. Always conduct comprehensive due diligence before making investment decisions.
WAT P/E vs Peers
P/E ratio compared to closely matched public peers
| Company | Market Cap | P/E Ratio | PEG Ratio | EPS Growth (1Y) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $33B | 25.8Lowest | 1.75Best | +3% | |
| $176B | 26.7 | 12.62 | +7% | |
| $124B | 34.7 | - | -5% | |
| $7B | 146.2 | - | +287%Best | |
| $4B | 31.1 | 3.56 | -16% | |
| $46B | 44.3 | 3.10 | +23% |
Peers sorted by market capitalization. P/E below peers may indicate undervaluation or lower growth expectations. Consider PEG ratio for growth-adjusted comparison.
WAT Historical P/E Data (1996–2026)
Quarterly P/E ratios calculated from closing price and TTM EPS
| Quarter | Date | Price | TTM EPS | P/E Ratio | vs Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2026 Q1 | Sat Apr 04 2026 00:00:00 GM | $304.24 | $7.87 | 38.7x | -18% |
| FY2025 Q4 | Wed Dec 31 2025 00:00:00 GM | $379.83 | $10.77 | 35.3x | -26% |
| FY2025 Q3 | Sat Sep 27 2025 00:00:00 GM | $291.71 | $10.88 | 26.8x | -43% |
| FY2025 Q2 | Sat Jun 28 2025 00:00:00 GM | $352.41 | $11.09 | 31.8x | -33% |
| FY2025 Q1 | Sat Mar 29 2025 00:00:00 GM | $362.16 | $11.02 | 32.9x | -31% |
| FY2024 Q4 | $370.98 | $10.71 | 34.6x | -27% | |
| FY2024 Q3 | Sat Sep 28 2024 00:00:00 GM | $357.33 | $10.48 | 34.1x | -28% |
| FY2024 Q2 | Sat Jun 29 2024 00:00:00 GM | $290.12 | $10.04 | 28.9x | -39% |
| FY2024 Q1 | Sat Mar 30 2024 00:00:00 GM | $344.23 | $10.19 | 33.8x | -29% |
| FY2023 Q4 | Sun Dec 31 2023 00:00:00 GM | $329.23 | $10.85 | 30.3x | -36% |
| FY2023 Q3 | Sat Sep 30 2023 00:00:00 GM | $274.21 | $11.01 | 24.9x | -47% |
| FY2023 Q2 | Sat Jul 01 2023 00:00:00 GM | $266.54 | $11.34 | 23.5x | -50% |
Average P/E for displayed period: 47.4x
Full WAT Stock Analysis
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Start ComparisonWAT — Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying WAT stock.
Is WAT stock overvalued or undervalued?
WAT trades at 32.5x P/E, near its 5-year average of 30.5x. The 60th percentile ranking places valuation within normal historical bounds.
How does WAT's valuation compare to peers?
Waters Corporation P/E of 32.5x compares to sector median of 22.1x. The premium reflects expected growth above peers.
What is WAT's PEG ratio?
WAT PEG ratio is 6.27. Above 2.0 indicates premium valuation relative to growth rate. Historical P/E data spans 1996-2026.