WatersWAT +3.35%92 Quick Ratio is 1.13 as of Mar. 2026, which is 32% below its 10-year median of 1.67. GuruFocus rates WAT with a GF Score™ of 92/100 and a GF Value™ of $415.96 (Modestly Undervalued). The stock has 6 warning signs investors should review. Among 215 Medical Diagnostics & Research companies, Waters ranks worse than 67.91% on this metric.
The quick ratio measures a company's ability to meet its short-term obligations with its most liquid assets. It is calculated as a company's Total Current Assets excludes Total Inventories divides by its Total Current Liabilities. Waters's quick ratio for the quarter that ended in Mar. 2026 was 1.13.
Waters has a quick ratio of 1.13. It generally indicates good short-term financial strength.
The historical rank and industry rank for Waters's Quick Ratio or its related term are showing as below:
WAT'
s Quick Ratio Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: 1.08 Med: 1.67 Max: 6.6
Current: 1.13
During the past 13 years, Waters's highest Quick Ratio was 6.60. The lowest was 1.08. And the median was 1.67.
WAT's Quick Ratio is ranked worse than 67.91% of 215
companies
in the Medical Diagnostics & Research industry
Industry Median: 1.67
vs WAT: 1.13
Waters (NYSE:WAT) Quick Ratio Explanation
The quick ratio is more conservative than the Current Ratio because it excludes inventories from current assets. The ratio derives its name presumably from the fact that assets such as cash and marketable securities are quick sources of cash. Inventories generally take time to be converted into cash, and if they have to be sold quickly, the company may have to accept a lower price than book value of these inventories. As a result, they are justifiably excluded from assets that are ready sources of immediate cash.
In general, low or decreasing quick ratios generally suggest that a company is over-leveraged, struggling to maintain or grow sales, paying bills too quickly or collecting receivables too slowly. On the other hand, a high or increasing quick ratio generally indicates that a company is experiencing solid top-line growth, quickly converting receivables into cash, and easily able to cover its financial obligations. Such companies often have faster inventory turnover and cash conversion cycles.
The higher the quick ratio, the better the company's liquidity position.
Waters Quick Ratio Related Terms
Waters Quick Ratio Historical Data
* Premium members only.
The historical data trend for Waters's Quick Ratio can be seen below:
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
For the Diagnostics & Research subindustry, Waters's Quick Ratio, along with its competitors' market caps and Quick Ratio data, can be viewed below:
* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.
Waters Quick Ratio vs Medical Diagnostics & Research Industry
For the Medical Diagnostics & Research industry and Healthcare sector, Waters's Quick Ratio distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where Waters's Quick Ratio falls into.
The quick ratio measures a company's ability to meet its short-term obligations with its most liquid assets. For this reason, the ratio excludes inventories from current assets.
Waters's Quick Ratio for the fiscal year that ended in Dec. 2025 is calculated as
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
Waters (WAT) has a Quick Ratio of 1.13 as of Mar. 2026. Quick ratio is the ratio of current assets less inventory to current liabilities. View historical data on Waters and its competitors. This is 32% below median its historical median of 1.67. Over the past decade, Waters' Quick Ratio has ranged from 1.08 to 6.60. According to the industry distribution chart, Waters ranks #146 out of 215 companies in the Medical Diagnostics & Research industry, placing it in the top 67.9%.
Is Waters' Quick Ratio too high?
Waters' current Quick Ratio of 1.13 is 32% below median its 10-year median of 1.67. Over the past 10 years, this metric has ranged from a low of 1.08 to a high of 6.60. The Medical Diagnostics & Research industry median Quick Ratio is 1.67. Waters' value of 1.13 is 32.3% below this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, Waters ranks #146 out of 215 companies in the Medical Diagnostics & Research industry, which is below the industry midpoint. Overall, Waters has a GF Score™ of 92/100 and is considered Modestly Undervalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Waters' Quick Ratio compare to A and NTRA?
According to the Medical Diagnostics & Research industry distribution chart, Waters ranks #146 out of 215 companies for Quick Ratio. This places Waters in the lower half of its industry. The industry median Quick Ratio is 1.67. Waters' value of 1.13 is 32.3% below this benchmark. Historically, Waters' own Quick Ratio has ranged from 1.08 to 6.60 over the past decade. While the company's 10-year median is 1.67 vs. the industry median of 1.67, Waters has consistently been below the industry average. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Quick Ratio for a Medical Diagnostics & Research company?
The median Quick Ratio among Medical Diagnostics & Research companies is 1.67, based on 215 companies in the industry. Companies in the top quartile (top 25%) have a Quick Ratio significantly above this median, while those in the bottom quartile fall well below. However, Quick Ratio should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Waters's current Quick Ratio of 1.13 is 32.3% below the industry median. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Quick Ratio mean?
A high Quick Ratio can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Quick ratio is the ratio of current assets less inventory to current liabilities. View historical data on Waters and its competitors. For the Medical Diagnostics & Research industry, the median Quick Ratio is 1.67 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. Waters's current Quick Ratio is 1.13, which is 32% below median its own 10-year median of 1.67. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Waters stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Waters (WAT) is currently considered Modestly Undervalued. The stock's GF Value™ is $415.96, compared to a current price of $369.18 — trading 11.2% below its estimated fair value. The current Quick Ratio is 1.13, which is 32% below median its 10-year median of 1.67 and 32.3% below the Medical Diagnostics & Research industry median of 1.67. Waters' overall GF Score™ is 92/100 with 6 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Quick Ratio calculated?
Quick Ratio is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Waters (WAT), the current Quick Ratio is 1.13 as of Mar. 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.
Is Waters (WAT) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Waters stock appears to be undervalued.
The current stock price of $369.18 is trading 11.2% below its estimated GF Value™ of $415.96.
GuruFocus considers Waters to be Modestly Undervalued.
Key valuation signals for WAT:
Quick Ratio: 1.13 (32% below median its 10-year median of 1.67)
GF Value™: $415.96 vs. price of $369.18 (11.2% below fair value)
Industry Position: 32.3% below the Medical Diagnostics & Research median (#146 of 215)
No single metric tells the full story. See the WAT stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
Waters sells liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and thermal analysis tools. These analytical instruments provide essential information on various products, such as their molecular structures and physical properties, to help clients enhance the health and well-being of end users. In early 2026, Waters merged with BD's life science and diagnostics business, which increased its concentration in diagnostics (versus none now) and discovery-related life science tools.
92GF Score
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