Waters (WAT) Boosts LC Solutions Portfolio With New Software
Waters WAT is leaving no stone unturned to bolster its liquid chromatography (LC) solutions on the back of growing technological capabilities.
In this regard, the company launched the HPLC CONNECT software to integrate its high and ultra-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC/UPLC) systems and multi-angle light-scattering instruments (MALS) into an all-in-one software platform.
The HPLC CONNECT software enhances efficiency, reduces human error and provides accurate size exclusion chromatography (SEC)-MALS analyses for complex biopharmaceutical innovations.
Additionally, the software supports Waters LC systems, allowing users to control HPLC modules from a single dashboard view, and offers optimized SEC columns for biomolecule separation.
Waters is expected to gain solid traction across drug development scientists on the back of its latest launch.
Moreover, it will enable the company to capitalize on growth opportunities present in the global liquid chromatography systems market. Per an MMR report, the global LC systems market is expected to reach $14.45 billion by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 5.8% between 2023 and 2029.
Waters Corporation Price and Consensus
Waters Corporation price-consensus-chart | Waters Corporation Quote
Expanding Waters Operating Segment
The latest move is in sync with Waters’ growing efforts to strengthen its Waters Operating segment.
Notably, the company introduced OligoWorks SPE Kits and components for improved sample preparation for LC-mass spectrometry (MS) based bioanalytical quantitation of therapeutic oligonucleotides, offering up to a 2x increase in oligonucleotide recovery from biofluids.
Further, Waters collaborated with the University of San Agustin to equip the latter’s new mass spectrometry imaging center with its advanced technologies.
Per the terms, the MALDI/DESI Mass Spectrometry Imaging Laboratory in the Philippines will be equipped with Waters’ ACQUITY UPLC System and SYNAPT High-Definition Mass Spectrometer technologies, offering effective therapeutics for treating cancer and other infectious diseases through drug discoveries.
Additionally, the company launched the DynaPro ZetaStar instrument for nanoparticle analysis, combining dynamic, static and electrophoretic light scattering measurements, enhancing sensitivity and speed, and utilizing low sample volumes.
Wrapping Up
All the above-mentioned endeavors are expected to aid the company’s Waters Operating segment in the near term. This, in turn, will bolster the overall financial performance of the company.
However, softness in the pharmaceutical, industrial, government and academic markets and unfavorable foreign exchange fluctuations remain major concerns for the company. Its shares have gained 2.6% in the year-to-date period, underperforming the Zacks Medical sector’s growth of 6.3%.
Waters expects first-quarter 2024 total sales to decline in the 8.5-6.5% band on a reported basis.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter 2024 sales is pegged at $633.49 million, indicating a decline of 7.5% from the year-ago quarter.
Zacks Rank & Stock to Consider
Currently, Waters carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the broader medical market sector are DaVita DVA, Encompass Health EHC and ICON ICLR. While DaVita sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present, Encompass Health and ICON carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
DaVita shares have surged 21.2% in the year-to-date period. DVA’s long-term earnings growth rate is currently projected at 12.15%.
Encompass Health shares have gained 12% in the year-to-date period. EHC’s long-term earnings growth rate is currently projected at 15.35%.
ICON shares have gained 14.2% in the year-to-date period. The long-term earnings growth rate for ICLR is currently projected at 14.90%.
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