WATERS CORP /DE/
For the period ended Apr 4, 2026. Filed May 12, 2026.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Apr 4, 2026 · Filed May 12, 2026
WAT$457.60+1.0%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026
What changed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-Q
Period ended 2025-09-27; filed 2025-11-04.
0001193125-25-263533
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCurrent report: 10-Q
Period ended 2026-04-04; filed 2026-05-12.
0001193125-26-219487
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 26 previous paragraphs and 40 current paragraphs.
5 unchanged; 5 reworded; 29 added; 16 removed; 0 previous and 1 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 2 previous and 2 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (29)
Current report
On February 9, 2026 (the “Closing Date”), the Company completed the acquisition (the “BDS Business Acquisition”) of the Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions business (the “BDS Business”) of Becton, Dickinson and Company (“BD”). The transaction was structured as a Reverse Morris Trust transaction, where the BDS Business was spun off to BD shareholders and simultaneously merged with a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The 2026 financial results of the BDS Business from the Closing Date are included in the Company’s 2026 consolidated financial results presented herein.
Current report
Due to the acquisition of the BDS Business on February 9, 2026, period over period comparability of the Company’s financial results has been materially impacted. In addition, the Company’s first quarter 2026 results include the BDS Business’s financial results only from the Closing Date through the end of the period, further affecting comparability with prior periods and in the future.
Current report
The Company’s revenue increased 91% in the first quarter of 2026, as compared to the first quarter of 2025, primarily driven by $520 million of revenue contributed by the BDS Business since the Closing Date. Excluding the BDS Business revenue, legacy revenue increased 13%, primarily due to broad-based growth across all product lines and geographical regions. Foreign currency translation increased total revenue growth by 2%. In addition, the first quarter of 2026 had six more calendar days compared to the first quarter of 2025.
Current report
Instrument system revenue increased 43% in the first quarter of 2026 primarily driven by the $96 million in instrument revenue contributed by the BDS Business. Excluding the impact of the BDS Business instrument revenue, legacy instrument revenue increased 7%. This revenue growth was primarily driven by higher customer demand for our LC & MS instrument systems across most major regions. Foreign currency translation increased instrument system revenue growth by 1% in the first quarter of 2026.
Current report
Recurring revenues (combined revenues of consumables and services) increased 123% in the first quarter of 2026, primarily driven by $424 million of revenue contributed by the BDS Business since the Closing Date. Excluding the BDS Business revenue, legacy recurring revenues increased 17%, primarily due to broad-based growth across all geographical regions. Foreign currency translation increased recurring revenue growth by 3%. Chemistry consumable revenue increased 17% in the first quarter of 2026. Thedouble-digit chemistry growth can be attributed to the uptake in columns and application-specific testing kits to pharmaceutical customers. Foreign currency translation added 3% to chemistry revenue growth in 2026. In addition, the recurring revenues growth was also positively impacted by the six additional calendar days in the first quarter of 2026.
Current report
Cost of Sales
Current report
The cost of sales in the first quarter of 2026 increased 145% as compared to the first quarter of 2025. This increase is primarily attributed to the $361 million of cost of sales from the BDS Business since the Closing Date as well as the increase in legacy business sales volume. In the first quarter of 2026, cost of sales included $99 million of fair value inventory and fixed asset step-up expense recognized as a result of the BDS Business Acquisition.
Current report
Cost of sales is affected by many factors, including, but not limited to, foreign currency translation, product mix, product costs of instrument systems and amortization of software platforms. At current foreign currency exchange rates, the Company expects foreign currency translation to be neutral to gross profit during 2026.
Current report
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Current report
Selling and administrative expenses increased 121% in the first quarter of 2026 as compared to the first quarter of 2025. The BDS Business increased selling and administrative expenses by $99 million in the first quarter of 2026 since the Closing Date. The remaining increase in selling and administrative expenses is primarily due to an increase in costs associated with merit compensation for the Company’s employees as well as $82 million of transaction, integration and other internal costs associated with the BDS Business.
Current report
Research and Development Expenses
Current report
Research and development expenses increased 104% in the first quarter of 2026 as compared to the first quarter of 2025. The BDS Business increased research and development expenses by $42 million in the first quarter of 2026 since the Closing Date. The remaining increase in research and development expenses can be attributed to increases from costs associated with merit compensation to the Company’s employees and costs associated with new products and the development of new technology initiatives. In the first quarter of 2026, research and development expenses included $1 million of transaction, integration and other internal costs associated with the BDS Business.
Current report
Purchased Intangibles Amortization
Current report
Purchased intangibles amortization increased $140 million in the first quarter of 2026 as compared to first quarter of 2025 due to the BDS Business Acquisition.
Current report
Operating (Loss) Income
Current report
Operating loss was $47 million in the first quarter of 2026, a decrease of $198 million as compared to $151 million of operating income in the first quarter of 2025. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of the higher sales volume from the legacy business and the BDS Business revenue since the Closing Date, being offset by $99 million of acquisition-related inventory and fixed asset fair value step-up expense and $140 million of purchased intangibles amortization related to the BDS Business. In addition, the first quarter of 2026 operating loss was impacted by $83 million of transaction, integration and other internal costs associated with the BDS Business Acquisition and the $9 million of expenses associated with the Company’s new ERP system implementation.
Current report
Interest Expense, net
Current report
Interest expense, net, increased $32 million in the first quarter of 2026, which can be primarily attributed to the financing costs incurred by the Company related to the funding of the BDS Business Acquisition.
Current report
Benefit (Provision) for Income Taxes
Current report
The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended April 4, 2026 and March 29, 2025 was 18.4% and 15.1%, respectively. The change between the effective tax rates can primarily be attributed to the impact of discrete tax benefits, primarily transaction costs, in the current period and differences in the proportionate amounts ofpre-tax income, due to the BDS Business Acquisition, recognized in jurisdictions with different effective tax rates.
Current report
Effective in 2024, various foreign jurisdictions began implementing aspects of the guidance issued by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development related to the new Pillar Two system of global minimum tax rules. These changes in tax law did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended April 4, 2026. The Company continues to monitor the adoption of the Pillar Two rules in additional jurisdictions.
Current report
On July 4, 2025, the U.S. government enacted the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBBA”), enacting changes to the United States federal tax code, including adjustments to effective tax rates on certain types of income and certain deduction limitations. The OBBBA did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the period ended April 4, 2026.
Current report
Net (Loss) Income per Diluted Common Share
Current report
The decline in the net loss per diluted common share to $0.87 in the first quarter of 2026 as compared to the $2.03 of net income per diluted common share in the first quarter of 2025 is attributed to the following BDS Business Acquisition-related items: purchase accounting fair value step-up expense, increases in purchased intangibles amortization expense, increase in interest expense, and various transaction, integration, and other internal costs.
Current report
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Current report
Net cash used in operating activities was $3 million as compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $260 million in the first three months of 2026 and 2025, respectively. The decline is primarily attributable to the net $140 million receivable due from BD, relating to net cash settlement for activity since the Closing Date, and $88 million of payments made in connection with transaction and integration costs associated with the BDS Business Acquisition.
Current report
Net cash provided by investing activities included capital expenditures related to property, plant, equipment and software capitalization of $39 million in the first quarter of 2026 as compared to the $26 net cash used in investing activities in the first quarter of 2025. The 2026 investing activities were impacted by the $144 million of cash acquired from the BDS Business Acquisition.
Current report
On March 23, 2026, SpinCo issued senior notes (the “Senior Notes”) in the aggregate principal amount of $3.5 billion. Net proceeds from the offering of the Senior Notes, together with cash on hand, were used by the Company to repay $3.5 billion of indebtedness outstanding under the SpinCo Delayed Draw Term Loan.
Current report
On January 8, 2026, Augusta SpinCo Corporation, a subsidiary of the Company (“SpinCo”) entered into a Term Loan Credit Agreement with the lenders named therein, Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent, and the other parties party thereto (the “SpinCo Credit Agreement”). On February 6, 2026 (the “Funding Date”), SpinCo borrowed $4.0 billion of unsecured term loans under the SpinCo Credit Agreement, consisting of a $3.5 billion tranche which will mature and be payable in full 364 days after the Funding Date (“SpinCo Delayed Draw Term Loan”) and a $500 million tranche which will mature and be payable in full on the second anniversary of the Funding Date (“SpinCo Term Loan”), and such funds were used by SpinCo on the Funding Date to finance the cash distribution to be paid to BD’s shareholders in connection with the BDS Business Acquisition (the “SpinCo Cash Distribution”). Upon consummation of the BDS Business Acquisition, all of this indebtedness was assumed by the Company. The SpinCo Term Loan has a maturity date of February 5, 2028.
Removed paragraphs (16)
Previous report
On July 13, 2025, the Company entered into definitive agreements with BD, Augusta SpinCo Corporation, a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of BD (“SpinCo”), and Beta Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Waters (“Merger Sub”), with respect to a Reverse Morris Trust transaction valued at approximately $17.5 billion as of the date of signing, and pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions of such definitive agreements, (i) BD will transfer (or cause to be transferred) and SpinCo will accept and assume (or cause to be accepted and assumed) all of the rights, titles and interests to and under certain assets and liabilities relating to BD’s Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions business, (ii) BD will distribute to its shareholders all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of SpinCo (“SpinCo Common Stock”) held by BD by way of a pro rata distribution (the “Spin-Off” and the disposition by BD of 100% of the SpinCo Common Stock by way of the Spin-Off, the “Distribution”) and (iii) following the Distribution, Merger Sub will be merged with and into SpinCo, with SpinCo as the surviving entity (the “Merger”), and all SpinCo Common Stock will be converted into the right to receive shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company (“Company Common Stock”), as calculated and subject to adjustment as set forth in the Merger Agreement (as defined herein). When the Merger is completed, SpinCo will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Waters. Upon completion of the Merger, BD’s shareholders are expected to own approximately 39.2% of the combined company, and existing Waters Corporation shareholders are expected to own approximately 60.8% of the combined company. This strategic combination is expected to create a leading global life sciences and diagnostics company with enhanced scale, complementary capabilities and expanded end-market exposure.
Previous report
The definitive agreements entered into in connection with the transaction include (i) an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of July 13, 2025, by and among Waters, BD, SpinCo and Merger Sub, and (ii) a Separation Agreement (the “Separation Agreement”), dated as of July 13, 2025, by and among Waters, BD and SpinCo. As set forth in the Merger Agreement, Waters, BD and SpinCo will also enter into several additional agreements in connection with the transaction.
Previous report
Prior to, and as a condition of, the Distribution, SpinCo will make a cash payment to BD equal to $4.0 billion (the “SpinCo Cash Distribution”), subject to adjustment for cash, working capital and indebtedness of SpinCo and subject to decrease if additional shares of Company Common Stock will be issued to the Company’s shareholders. The SpinCo Cash Distribution is expected to be paid using proceeds from approximately $4.0 billion of new indebtedness to be incurred by SpinCo prior to the Distribution. The Company is expected to assume all indebtedness incurred by SpinCo in connection with the payment of the SpinCo Cash Distribution upon completion of the Merger. Based on information available through the date of this report, if the transaction closes, the Company estimates it will incur transaction-related expenses and financing fees of approximately $140 million in total.
Previous report
In order to preserve the tax-free nature of the Spin-Off under the Reverse Morris Trust framework, the exchange ratio for the merger consideration specified in the Merger Agreement (the “Exchange Ratio”) may be adjusted and increased, if necessary, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. In the event that the Exchange Ratio is adjusted upwards, the Company may issue a pre-closing cash dividend to the shareholders of the Company (the “Waters Special Dividend”) and/or the SpinCo Cash Distribution could be decreased to account for the value of the additional shares issued to the Company’s shareholders.
Previous report
The transaction is expected to close around the end of the first quarter of calendar year 2026, subject to receipt of required regulatory approvals, shareholder approval from the Company’s shareholders and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.
Previous report
Acquisition of Halo Labs
Previous report
On May 20, 2025, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding equity interests of Optofluidics, Inc., and its wholly owned operating subsidiary, Halo Labs LTD (collectively, “Halo Labs”), for $35 million, net of cash acquired. Halo Labs offers high throughput biopharmaceutical formulation, stability and product quality control tools for aggregate and subvisible particle analysis through the use of custom optics and image processing techniques. As a result of the acquisition, the results of Halo Labs are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date.
Previous report
The Company’s net sales increased 8% in the third quarter of 2025, as compared to the third quarter of 2024 and 7% for the first nine months of 2025 as compared to the first nine months of 2024. The effect of foreign currency translation had minimal impact on total sales growth for both the third quarter and first nine months of 2025. The net sales growth in the third quarter and first nine months of 2025 was driven by strong customer demand for the Waters Division products and services across most major geographies, end markets and product lines.
Previous report
Instrument system sales increased 6% for each of the third quarter and first nine months of 2025, respectively, primarily driven by broad-based higher customer demand for our instrument systems in most regions of the world. Foreign currency translation had minimal impact on instrument system sales growth for each of the third quarter of 2025 and first nine months of 2025.
Previous report
Recurring revenues (combined sales of precision chemistry consumables and services) increased 10% and 8% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2025, respectively, with foreign currency translation increasing sales growth by 1% for the third quarter of 2025 and having a minimal impact on sales growth for the first nine months of 2025. Service revenues increased 8% and 6% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2025, respectively. Chemistry sales growth increased 14% and 11% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2025, respectively. The double-digit chemistry sales growth can be attributed to the uptake in columns and application-specific testing kits to pharmaceutical customers.
Previous report
Operating income decreased 9% for the third quarter of 2025 primarily due to the impact of the higher sales volume being offset by the change in sales mix, merit increases and approximately $31 million of transaction and integration costs associated with the Merger. In addition, operating income for the third quarter of 2025 included the impact of $6 million of expenses associated with the Company’s new ERP system implementation.
Previous report
Operating income decreased by less than 1% for the first nine months of 2025, due to the impact of the higher sales volume and the absence of severance-related costs associated with a workforce reduction in China and certain litigation settlements incurred in 2024, being partially offset by merit increases and $45 million of transaction and integration costs associated with the Merger. In addition, operating income for the first nine months of 2025 also includes the impact of $14 million of expenses associated with the Company’s new ERP system implementation. The effect of foreign currency translation decreased operating income by $9 million.
Previous report
In the third quarter and first nine months of 2025, the Company’s interest expense included approximately $14 million of financing costs paid by the Company on behalf of SpinCo in connection with financing activities related to the Merger.
Previous report
The Company generated $488 million and $522 million of net cash from operating activities in the first nine months of 2025 and 2024, respectively. The first nine months of 2025 included an increase of $24 million more in tax payments associated with the final 2018 Tax Reform Transition payment; $14 million of costs related to the implementation of the Company’s new ERP system; and $14 million of payments made in connection with merger transaction and integration costs. Net cash used in investing activities included capital expenditures related to property, plant, equipment and software capitalization of $74 million and $90 million in the first nine months of 2025 and 2024, respectively, as well as $35 million used for the Halo Labs acquisition in the second quarter of 2025.
Previous report
On May 22, 2025, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, as guarantors, entered into an Amendment and Restatement Agreement in respect of that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 17, 2021 and amended as of March 3, 2023, with the lenders and issuing banks party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, pursuant to which the Company, among other things, reduced the aggregate total borrowing capacity of its existing senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) by up to $200 million for an aggregate principal amount of up to $1.8 billion. The Credit Facility will mature on May 22, 2030 subject to the Company’s ability to request, subject to customary conditions, a one-year extension to which each lender may, in its discretion, agree.
Previous report
In connection with the Merger Agreement to purchase BD’s Biosciences & Diagnostic Solutions business, the Company and a financial institution executed a 364-day bridge facility commitment letter in July of 2025, pursuant to which such financial institution has committed to provide bridge financing of $1.8 billion to fund dividends, fees and expenses related to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The bridge facility is expected to be replaced with permanent financing, which may include a delayed draw term loan facility.
Reworded paragraphs (5)
Previous wording
The Company has two operating segments: Waters TM and TATM. Waters products and services primarily consist of high-performance liquid chromatography (“HPLC”), ultra-performance liquid chromatography (“UPLCTM” and, together with HPLC, referred to as “LC”), mass spectrometry (“MS”), light scattering and field-flow fractionation instruments (Wyatt), and precision chemistry consumable products and related services. TA products and services primarily consist of thermal analysis, rheometry and calorimetry instrument systems and service sales. The Company’s products are used by pharmaceutical, biochemical, industrial, nutritional safety, environmental, academic and government customers. These customers use the Company’s products to detect, identify, monitor and measure the chemical, physical and biological composition of materials and to predict the suitability and stability of fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, water, polymers, metals and viscous liquids in various industrial, consumer goods and healthcare products.
Current wording
The Company’s products are used by pharmaceutical, biochemical, industrial, nutritional safety, environmental, academic and government customers. These customers use the Company’s products to detect, identify, monitor and measure the chemical, physical and biological composition of materials and to predict the suitability and stability of fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, water, polymers, metals and viscous liquids in various industrial, consumer goods and healthcare products.
Previous wording
The Company sells and services its customers in over 35 countries outside of the U.S. and we have manufacturing operations in the U.S., Ireland, U.K. and in Singapore where we utilize subcontractors with worldwide capabilities.
Current wording
The Company sells and services its customers in over 35 countries outside of the U.S. and we have major manufacturing operations in the U.S., Ireland, U.K., Switzerland, Puerto Rico and in Singapore where we utilize subcontractors with worldwide capabilities.
Previous wording
In 2025, the U.S. government issued varying levels of tariffs on all imported goods into the U.S., including a baseline 10% tariff, subject to certain exceptions, which have also prompted retaliatory tariffs by a number of countries, including tariffs and export restrictions on certain manufacturing components imposed by China and tariffs pursuant to trade agreements the U.S. has entered into with certain countries. In addition, a number of new tariffs have been threatened, and the U.S. and other countries continue to negotiate trade arrangements and tariff levels. In August 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled against certain of the U.S. tariffs that have been implemented. The U.S. government has appealed this ruling, and the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case, with oral arguments anticipated in November 2025.
Current wording
In 2025, the U.S. government issued varying levels of tariffs on all imported goods into the U.S., including a baseline 10% tariff, subject to certain exceptions, which have also prompted retaliatory tariffs by a number of countries, including tariffs and export restrictions on certain manufacturing components imposed by China and tariffs pursuant to trade agreements the U.S. has entered into with certain countries. In addition, a number of new tariffs have been threatened, and the U.S. and other countries continue to negotiate trade arrangements and tariff levels. On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court rendered a decision invalidating tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. This decision introduces uncertainty regarding potential refund processes and future trade policy actions and could affect the Company’s cost structure and supply chain planning. As a result of this ruling, the Company may be eligible for a refund of tariffs previously paid on imported goods. As the recoverability and timing of any such refund remains uncertain, the Company has not recognized any material amounts as of April 4, 2026. The Company continues to monitor developments around the Supreme Court’s decision and evaluate its potential impact on the Company’s future financial results and business.
Previous wording
In addition to changes in trade policy, the new U.S. administration has implemented a number of other regulatory, policy and personnel changes, including the elimination, downsizing and reduced funding of certain government agencies and programs and the cancellation or delay of government contracts and research grants, each of which may be exacerbated by the U.S. government shutdown that began in October 2025. In addition, the administration has changed the composition of and guidance from advisory panels on healthcare practices.
Current wording
In addition to changes in trade policy, the U.S. administration has implemented a number of other regulatory, policy and personnel changes, including the elimination, downsizing and reduced funding of certain government agencies and programs and the cancellation or delay of government contracts and research grants. In addition, the administration has changed the composition of and guidance from advisory panels on healthcare practices.
Previous wording
The Company’s operating results are as follows for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2025 and September 28, 2024 (dollars in thousands, except per share data):
Current wording
The Company’s operating results are as follows for the three months ended April 4, 2026 and March 29, 2025 (dollars in millions, except per share data):
Rearranged current paragraphs (1)
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
The Company has four operating segments: Analytical Sciences, Biosciences, Advanced Diagnostics, and Materials Sciences. Analytical Sciences products and services primarily consist of high-performance liquid chromatography (“HPLC”), ultra-performance liquid chromatography (“UPLCTM” and, together with HPLC, referred to as “LC”), mass spectrometry (“MS”), light scattering and field-flow fractionation instruments (Wyatt), and precision chemistry consumable products and related services. Materials Sciences products and services primarily consist of thermal analysis, rheometry and calorimetry instrument systems and service revenue. Biosciences products and services primarily consist of instruments, software and informatics, reagents, and single cell multiomics solutions, supporting the advanced analysis of cell populations for use in fields such as immunology, oncology, and infectious disease research. Advanced Diagnostics products and services primarily consist of a broad range of diagnostic instrumentation, assays, consumables, automation, and informatics that support the detection, identification and drug susceptibility testing of infectious disease organisms.