EXAS vs. WAT: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at EXAS and WAT, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | EXAS | WAT |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Exact Sciences Corporation | Waters Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Biotechnology | Life Sciences Tools & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 10.91 billion USD | 19.50 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqCM | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 1, 2001 | November 17, 1995 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of EXAS and WAT by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | EXAS | WAT |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 5.34% | 9.28% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 9.81% | -5.51% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 32.64% | -7.97% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -13.22% | -7.56% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 5.34% | 9.28% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 2.56% | -11.69% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.05M | 0.65M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.02M | 0.74M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 41.22% | 42.92% |
| Beta | 1.44 | 1.16 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
EXAS
-38.37%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 97.92%
- Q3
- 11.99%
- Median
- -19.30%
- Q1
- -51.29%
- Min
- -132.03%
EXAS has a negative Return on Equity of -38.37%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
WAT
35.02%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.96%
- Q3
- 11.51%
- Median
- 6.47%
- Q1
- 3.86%
- Min
- -6.95%
WAT’s Return on Equity of 35.02% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
EXAS
-34.19%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 73.34%
- Q3
- 18.98%
- Median
- -12.96%
- Q1
- -105.72%
- Min
- -259.82%
EXAS has a negative Net Profit Margin of -34.19%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
WAT
21.71%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 32.18%
- Q3
- 18.30%
- Median
- 10.19%
- Q1
- 4.20%
- Min
- -2.05%
A Net Profit Margin of 21.71% places WAT in the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
EXAS
-34.49%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 78.85%
- Q3
- 21.90%
- Median
- -13.30%
- Q1
- -109.94%
- Min
- -278.10%
EXAS has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -34.49%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
WAT
27.69%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 38.39%
- Q3
- 21.40%
- Median
- 13.57%
- Q1
- 8.38%
- Min
- -3.51%
An Operating Profit Margin of 27.69% places WAT in the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | EXAS | WAT |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -38.37% | 35.02% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -16.63% | 14.40% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -34.19% | 21.71% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -34.49% | 27.69% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 68.19% | 59.02% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
EXAS
2.89
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 16.97
- Q3
- 8.39
- Median
- 4.11
- Q1
- 2.64
- Min
- 0.74
EXAS’s Current Ratio of 2.89 aligns with the median group of the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
WAT
1.75
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.46
- Q3
- 2.78
- Median
- 1.91
- Q1
- 1.53
- Min
- 0.43
WAT’s Current Ratio of 1.75 aligns with the median group of the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
EXAS
0.95
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 1.92
- Q3
- 0.79
- Median
- 0.12
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
EXAS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Biotechnology industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.95. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
WAT
0.67
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.35
- Q3
- 0.74
- Median
- 0.41
- Q1
- 0.18
- Min
- 0.00
WAT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.67 is typical for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
EXAS
-15.18
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 72.37
- Q3
- 1.03
- Median
- -9.59
- Q1
- -65.05
- Min
- -163.11
EXAS has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -15.18. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
WAT
11.29
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 45.00
- Q3
- 27.84
- Median
- 7.16
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- -14.08
WAT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 11.29 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | EXAS | WAT |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.89 | 1.75 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.32 | 1.22 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.95 | 0.67 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -15.18 | 11.29 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
EXAS
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
EXAS currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
WAT
0.00%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.41%
- Q3
- 0.65%
- Median
- 0.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WAT currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
EXAS
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
EXAS has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
WAT
0.00%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 113.14%
- Q3
- 61.34%
- Median
- 17.74%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WAT has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | EXAS | WAT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
EXAS
--
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 40.44
- Q3
- 39.37
- Median
- 22.12
- Q1
- 15.76
- Min
- 3.48
P/E Ratio data for EXAS is currently unavailable.
WAT
29.44
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 75.35
- Q3
- 51.00
- Median
- 32.93
- Q1
- 25.27
- Min
- 1.43
WAT’s P/E Ratio of 29.44 is within the middle range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
EXAS
3.65
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 92.67
- Q3
- 41.36
- Median
- 8.45
- Q1
- 4.46
- Min
- 0.97
In the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry, EXAS’s P/S Ratio of 3.65 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
WAT
6.39
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 10.49
- Q3
- 6.43
- Median
- 4.66
- Q1
- 2.88
- Min
- 1.08
WAT’s P/S Ratio of 6.39 aligns with the market consensus for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
EXAS
4.06
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 22.72
- Q3
- 10.68
- Median
- 4.55
- Q1
- 2.44
- Min
- 0.59
EXAS’s P/B Ratio of 4.06 is within the conventional range for the Biotechnology industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
WAT
9.62
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 6.69
- Q3
- 5.00
- Median
- 3.46
- Q1
- 2.38
- Min
- 0.93
At 9.62, WAT’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | EXAS | WAT |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 29.44 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.65 | 6.39 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.06 | 9.62 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 85.92 | 31.43 |