WAT vs. WST: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at WAT and WST, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | WAT | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Waters Corporation | West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Life Sciences Tools & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 17.66 billion USD | 17.82 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 17, 1995 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of WAT and WST 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 | WAT | WST |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.09% | 1.96% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -17.24% | 18.62% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -21.73% | 17.46% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -12.79% | -18.55% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 2.76% | 3.59% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -20.01% | -24.33% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.62M | 0.50M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.68M | 0.75M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 38.48% | 53.78% |
| Beta | 1.06 | 1.06 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
WAT
35.02%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.96%
- Q3
- 11.55%
- Median
- 6.22%
- 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.
WST
17.66%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.96%
- Q3
- 11.55%
- Median
- 6.22%
- Q1
- 3.86%
- Min
- -6.95%
In the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, WST’s Return on Equity of 17.66% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
WAT
21.71%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 27.28%
- Q3
- 16.17%
- Median
- 7.24%
- Q1
- 3.00%
- Min
- -3.05%
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.
WST
16.48%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 27.28%
- Q3
- 16.17%
- Median
- 7.24%
- Q1
- 3.00%
- Min
- -3.05%
A Net Profit Margin of 16.48% places WST 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)
WAT
27.69%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 33.15%
- Q3
- 19.34%
- Median
- 13.02%
- Q1
- 8.05%
- Min
- -4.38%
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.
WST
19.65%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 33.15%
- Q3
- 19.34%
- Median
- 13.02%
- Q1
- 8.05%
- Min
- -4.38%
An Operating Profit Margin of 19.65% places WST 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 | WAT | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 35.02% | 17.66% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 14.40% | 13.10% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.71% | 16.48% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 27.69% | 19.65% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 59.02% | 35.27% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
WAT
1.75
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 4.76
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.85
- Q1
- 1.40
- 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.
WST
2.78
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 4.76
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.85
- Q1
- 1.40
- Min
- 0.43
WST’s Current Ratio of 2.78 is in the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
WAT
0.67
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.75
- Q3
- 0.83
- 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.
WST
0.07
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.75
- Q3
- 0.83
- Median
- 0.41
- Q1
- 0.18
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, WST’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.07 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
WAT
11.29
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 29.61
- Q3
- 23.24
- Median
- 6.07
- Q1
- 2.18
- 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.
WST
130.12
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 29.61
- Q3
- 23.24
- Median
- 6.07
- Q1
- 2.18
- Min
- -14.08
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 130.12, WST demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | WAT | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.75 | 2.78 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.22 | 2.08 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.67 | 0.07 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 11.29 | 130.12 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
WAT
0.00%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.80%
- Q3
- 0.78%
- Median
- 0.37%
- 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.
WST
0.35%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.80%
- Q3
- 0.78%
- Median
- 0.37%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WST’s Dividend Yield of 0.35% is consistent with its peers in the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
WAT
0.00%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 156.00%
- Q3
- 65.73%
- Median
- 23.81%
- 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.
WST
12.32%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 156.00%
- Q3
- 65.73%
- Median
- 23.81%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WST’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 12.32% is within the typical range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | WAT | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.35% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 12.32% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
WAT
26.76
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 117.96
- Q3
- 65.59
- Median
- 37.26
- Q1
- 27.51
- Min
- 1.73
In the lower quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, WAT’s P/E Ratio of 26.76 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
WST
35.08
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 117.96
- Q3
- 65.59
- Median
- 37.26
- Q1
- 27.51
- Min
- 1.73
WST’s P/E Ratio of 35.08 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)
WAT
5.81
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 12.46
- Q3
- 6.70
- Median
- 4.24
- Q1
- 2.68
- Min
- 0.73
WAT’s P/S Ratio of 5.81 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.
WST
5.78
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 12.46
- Q3
- 6.70
- Median
- 4.24
- Q1
- 2.68
- Min
- 0.73
WST’s P/S Ratio of 5.78 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)
WAT
9.62
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.99
- Q3
- 4.69
- Median
- 3.30
- Q1
- 1.88
- Min
- 1.02
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.
WST
5.37
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.99
- Q3
- 4.69
- Median
- 3.30
- Q1
- 1.88
- Min
- 1.02
WST’s P/B Ratio of 5.37 is in the upper tier for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | WAT | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 26.76 | 35.08 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.81 | 5.78 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 9.62 | 5.37 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 28.57 | 49.74 |