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Waters Corporation (WAT)
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Waters Corporation (WAT) Operating Margin: 17.08%

Is Waters Corporation’s operating margin high or low?

Waters Corporation's operating margin of 17.08% is 40% below its 5-year average of 28.33%, near the low end of its 5-year range (17.08%–29.50%).

As of Thursday, June 18, 2026. 39.16% below its 12-month average of 28.07%.

WAT Operating Margin Chart

WAT Operating Margin
28.22%+1.04% 1Y
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WAT Average Operating Margin Chart

WAT Current vs Average Operating Margin Chart

WAT Operating Margin Metrics

OPERATING MARGIN

17.08%

OPERATING MARGIN AVG TTM

28.07%

OPERATING MARGIN AVG 3Y

28.30%

OPERATING MARGIN AVG 5Y

28.33%

OPERATING MARGIN AVG 10Y

28.66%

OPERATING MARGIN AVG 15Y

28.26%

OPERATING MARGIN AVG 20Y

27.35%

CURRENT VS TTM AVG

-39.16%

CURRENT VS 3Y AVG

-39.65%

CURRENT VS 5Y AVG

-39.71%

CURRENT VS 10Y AVG

-40.41%

CURRENT VS 15Y AVG

-39.56%

CURRENT VS 20Y AVG

-37.56%

WAT Competitors' Operating Margin

NAMEMARKET CAPOPERATING MARGINTTM3Y5Y
Waters Corporation (WAT)$23.27B17.08%28.07%28.30%28.33%
BioNTech SE (BNTX)vs ›$23.32B-51.55%-35.20%5.18%14.03%
United Therapeutics Corporation (UTHR)vs ›$23.41B45.34%47.77%49.26%45.01%
Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (MTD)vs ›$22.83B28.00%28.45%28.53%27.71%
Moderna, Inc. (MRNA)vs ›$24.52B-153.35%-140.72%-73.36%-52.24%
Veeva Systems Inc. (VEEV)vs ›$25.15B28.79%26.93%23.33%24.40%
Labcorp Holdings Inc. (LH)vs ›$21.28B11.03%9.61%9.32%13.00%
DexCom, Inc. (DXCM)vs ›$27.49B21.45%17.22%16.09%15.13%
IQVIA Holdings Inc. (IQV)vs ›$28.48B13.86%14.15%13.50%11.74%
Biogen Inc. (BIIB)vs ›$29.33B15.65%22.44%23.65%25.70%

Operating Efficiency

Gross Margin

55.0%

Operating Margin

17.1%

Waters Corporation Operating Margin Formula & Definition

Operating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue

Operating margin is the percentage of revenue remaining after operating expenses, reflecting operating efficiency.

Expanded definitions: Investopedia, Wikipedia, Corporate Finance Institute

Waters Corporation Operating Margin FAQ

What is the operating margin for Waters Corporation (WAT)?
The operating margin for WAT stock is 17.08%.
Is Waters Corporation's operating margin high or low?
Waters Corporation's operating margin of 17.08% is 40% below its 5-year average of 28.33%, near the low end of its 5-year range (17.08%–29.50%).
What is the TTM average operating margin for Waters Corporation (WAT)?
The TTM average operating margin for WAT stock is 28.07%.
What is the 3Y average operating margin for Waters Corporation (WAT)?
The 3Y average operating margin for WAT stock is 28.30%.
What is the 5Y average operating margin for Waters Corporation (WAT)?
The 5Y average operating margin for WAT stock is 28.33%.
What is the 10Y average operating margin for Waters Corporation (WAT)?
The 10Y average operating margin for WAT stock is 28.66%.
What is the 15Y average operating margin for Waters Corporation (WAT)?
The 15Y average operating margin for WAT stock is 28.26%.
What is the 20Y average operating margin for Waters Corporation (WAT)?
The 20Y average operating margin for WAT stock is 27.35%.

Waters Corporation Operating Margin History

DATEOPERATING MARGIN
2025-12-3128.22%
2024-12-3127.93%
2023-12-3127.66%
2022-12-3129.39%
2021-12-3129.50%
2020-12-3127.29%
2019-12-3129.44%
2018-12-3130.57%
2017-12-3128.68%
2016-12-3128.84%
2015-12-3127.78%
2014-12-3126.03%
2013-12-3127.17%
2012-12-3127.74%
2011-12-3128.55%
2010-12-3127.38%
2009-12-3126.33%
2008-12-3124.74%
2007-12-3123.68%
2006-12-3123.05%
2005-12-3124.45%
2004-12-3125.79%
2003-12-3122.87%
2002-12-3122.07%
2001-12-3117.40%
2000-12-3126.52%
1999-12-3125.06%
1998-12-3122.04%
1997-12-318.08%
1996-12-3117.97%

About Waters Corporation

Waters Corporation is a global leader in specialized measurement, delivering analytical solutions across Asia, the Americas, and Europe. The company operates through two main divisions: Waters and TA. Under its Waters segment, it engineers, manufactures, sells, and provides support for high and ultra-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (MS) systems. This includes essential consumables like chromatography columns and comprehensive post-warranty service plans. The TA segment focuses on designing, producing, selling, and servicing instruments for thermal analysis, rheometry, and calorimetry. Additionally, Waters develops and supplies sophisticated software that integrates with both its own instruments and those from other manufacturers. The company's advanced MS technology plays a crucial role in various applications, such as drug discovery and development (including clinical trial assessments), analyzing proteins involved in disease processes, ensuring nutritional safety, and conducting environmental testing. Its thermal analysis, rheometry, and calorimetry instruments are vital for assessing the suitability and stability of a wide range of materials, including fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, water, polymers, metals, and viscous liquids. These instruments support diverse sectors like industrial manufacturing, consumer goods, healthcare products, and life science research. Waters' extensive client base spans the life sciences, pharmaceutical, biochemical, industrial, nutritional safety, environmental, academic, and governmental sectors, where its products are instrumental in research and development, quality assurance, and general laboratory operations. Established in 1958, Waters Corporation is headquartered in Milford, Massachusetts.

Milford, MA
7,600 employees
Healthcare / Medical - Diagnostics & Research
Sector
Healthcare
Industry
Medical - Diagnostics & Research
CEO
Udit Batra