After A’s 14% Climb in a Week, WAT Looks Like the Stronger Long-Term Play
Waters (WAT) offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs Agilent Technologies (A), suggesting you may be better off investing in WAT
- WAT’s Last 12 Months revenue growth was 5.9%, vs. A’s 4.5%.
- In addition, its Last 3-Year Average revenue growth came in at 1.7%, ahead of A’s 0.8%.
- WAT leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 27.7% and 3-year average of 27.7%.
A provides life sciences and diagnostics solutions, including liquid chromatography, DNA mutation detection, genotyping, gene expression profiling, next-generation sequencing, and genetic data management. WAT provides analytical instruments for thermal analysis, rheometry, and calorimetry to assess stability and suitability of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, polymers, metals, and liquids globally.
Valuation & Performance Overview
| A | WAT | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 27.3 | 22.7 | WAT |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | 10.1% | 8.9% | A |
| Last 12 Months | 4.5% | 5.9% | WAT |
| Last 3 Year Average | 0.8% | 1.7% | WAT |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 21.3% | 27.7% | WAT |
| Last 3 Year Average | 21.5% | 27.7% | WAT |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | 16.8% | 19.4% | WAT |
Note: For “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell off.
See more revenue details: A Revenue Comparison | WAT Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: A Operating Income Comparison | WAT Operating Income Comparison
But do these numbers tell the full story? Read Buy or Sell WAT Stock to see if Waters’s edge holds up under the hood or if Agilent Technologies still has cards to play (see Buy or Sell A Stock).
That is one way to look at stocks. Trefis High Quality Portfolio evaluates much more, and is designed to reduce stock-specific risk while giving upside exposure
Historical Market Performance
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| A Return | 40% | 36% | -6% | -6% | -3% | 4% | 50% | ||
| WAT Return | 6% | 51% | -8% | -4% | 13% | -14% | 25% | ||
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 14% | 106% | <=== | |
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| A Win Rate | 75% | 83% | 42% | 42% | 50% | 50% | 57% | ||
| WAT Win Rate | 58% | 83% | 42% | 42% | 50% | 38% | 52% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 62% | 63% | <=== | |
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| A Max Drawdown | -26% | -3% | -29% | -32% | -9% | -26% | -21% | ||
| WAT Max Drawdown | -31% | 0% | -28% | -31% | -14% | -25% | -21% | ||
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | -12% | <=== | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] 2025 data is for the year up to 10/2/2025 (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
No matter how good the numbers, stock investment is never a smooth ride. There is a risk you must factor in. Read A Dip Buyer Analyses to see how the stock has fallen and recovered in the past.