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Waters Corp.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 5 raised, 5 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Reported revenue above guidance range: Reported revenue of $1.645 billion was above the high end of the guidance range, with both organic revenue and the acquired businesses contributing to the result. Source
  • Organic revenue up 7% reported: Organic revenue was $828 million against $771 million a year earlier, up 7% as reported and 9% in constant currency. Source
  • Adjusted EPS up 3% to $3.05: Adjusted EPS was $3.05 against $2.95, at the high end of the $2.95 to $3.05 guidance range given with the first-quarter results. Source
  • Chemistry grew double digits in ASD: Chemistry consumables grew in double digits in constant currency, with low-double-digit growth in Pharma and A&G end markets. Source
  • Recovery broadened to more segments: Management described the market recovery as entering a broader phase, expanding across additional customer segments. Source
  • Early cost actions offset FX: Management said early cost actions offset unfavorable foreign exchange translation in the quarter. Source
  • Adjusted free cash flow rose in quarter: Adjusted free cash flow was $202 million against $159 million; six-month figure was $161 million against $392 million, when prior-year figures included $120 million of tax reform payments. Source

“Thanks to the hard work of our teams, we delivered industry-leading growth again this quarter, executing ahead of guidance across all four divisions,”

Udit Batra, Ph.D., President & Chief Executive Officer, Waters Corporation

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Organic constant currency revenue growth SourceFull-year 20267.0% to 9.0%Raised from 6.5% to 8.0%
Organic reported revenue SourceFull-year 2026$3.370 billion to $3.431 billionRaised from $3.370 billion to $3.420 billion
Acquired business reported revenue SourceFull-year 2026, owned-period basisapproximately $3.045 billionRaised from $3.035 billion
Total reported revenue SourceFull-year 2026$6.415 billion to $6.476 billionRaised from $6.405 billion to $6.455 billion
Adjusted EPS SourceFull-year 2026$14.45 to $14.65Raised from $14.40 to $14.60
Organic constant currency revenue growth SourceThird quarter 20268% to 10%New
Organic reported revenue SourceThird quarter 2026$850 million to $867 millionNew
Acquired business reported revenue SourceThird quarter 2026approximately $895 millionNew
Total reported revenue SourceThird quarter 2026$1.745 billion to $1.762 billionNew
Adjusted EPS SourceThird quarter 2026$3.95 to $4.05New

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year organic constant currency growth range moved up from 6.5% to 8.0% to 7.0% to 9.0%. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year adjusted EPS range moved up from $14.40 to $14.60 to $14.45 to $14.65. Source
  • Guidance raised: Acquired business revenue expectation moved up from about $3.035 billion to about $3.045 billion. Source
  • Guidance raised: Management said all components of full-year 2026 guidance are being raised, including total reported revenue, which moved from $6.405 billion to $6.455 billion to $6.415 billion to $6.476 billion. Source
  • New guidance: Third-quarter 2026 guidance given for organic growth, organic revenue, acquired revenue, total revenue and adjusted EPS. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Reported revenue above guidance range: Reported revenue of $1.645 billion was above the high end of the guidance range, with both organic revenue and the acquired businesses contributing to the result. Source
  • Organic revenue up 7% reported: Organic revenue was $828 million against $771 million a year earlier, up 7% as reported and 9% in constant currency. Source
  • Adjusted EPS up 3% to $3.05: Adjusted EPS was $3.05 against $2.95, at the high end of the $2.95 to $3.05 guidance range given with the first-quarter results. Source
  • GAAP loss per share: GAAP net loss was $136 million, or $1.39 per diluted share, against net income of $147 million a year earlier. Source
  • Previously lagging segments returning: Management said the recovery has broadened, with customer segments that lagged earlier now returning to growth. Source

Segments and regions

  • Analytical Sciences revenue up 7%: Analytical Sciences Division revenue was $669 million against $627 million, excluding the Clinical Business Unit. Source
  • Chemistry grew double digits in ASD: Chemistry consumables grew in double digits in constant currency, with low-double-digit growth in Pharma and A&G end markets. Source
  • Biosciences Division revenue rose: Biosciences Division revenue was $368 million against $358 million in the prior year comparable period. Source
  • Advanced Diagnostics revenue rose: Diagnostic Solutions revenue was $449 million against $425 million; the Clinical Business Unit reported $72 million against $62 million. Source
  • Materials Sciences revenue up 6%: Materials Sciences Division revenue was $87 million against $82 million a year earlier. Source
  • Recovery broadened to more segments: Management described the market recovery as entering a broader phase, expanding across additional customer segments. Source

“With momentum building across our portfolio, end markets, and synergies, we are raising every component of our full-year 2026 guidance.”

Udit Batra, Ph.D., President & Chief Executive Officer, Waters Corporation

Products and customers

  • Product and service sales both rose: Product revenue was $1,220 million against $473 million, and service revenue was $425 million against $298 million. Source
  • Americas and Europe grew most: Americas revenue was $690 million, Europe $505 million and Asia $450 million; Americas and Europe grew more than 100% as reported. Source
  • Acquired businesses contributed $817 million: Acquired business contribution accounted for $817 million of the $1.645 billion reported total. Source

Acquired businesses and integration

  • Acquired businesses grew mid-single digits: Management said the acquired businesses grew mid-single digits in their first full quarter under Waters ownership. Source
  • 180-day revitalization plan cited: Management attributed the faster-than-expected acceleration to commercial execution and operational improvements under a 180-day growth revitalization plan. Source
  • Acquisition consolidated from February 9: Reported six-month revenue includes the acquired businesses from the February 9, 2026 acquisition date through July 4, 2026. Source

Costs, margins and cost actions

  • Adjusted operating margin 25.0%: Adjusted operating income was $411 million, a 25.0% margin against 29.1% a year earlier; adjusted cost of revenue was $756 million. Source
  • Restructuring charges rose: GAAP restructuring charges were $49 million against $3 million, and GAAP operating loss was $86 million against operating income of $188 million a year earlier. Source
  • Early cost actions offset FX: Management said early cost actions offset unfavorable foreign exchange translation in the quarter. Source

Capital, cash and debt

  • Adjusted free cash flow rose in quarter: Adjusted free cash flow was $202 million against $159 million; six-month figure was $161 million against $392 million, when prior-year figures included $120 million of tax reform payments. Source
  • Notes payable and debt increased: Notes payable and debt were $5.086 billion at July 4, 2026, against $1.407 billion at December 31, 2025; cash and equivalents were $539 million. Source
  • Net interest expense rose: Net interest expense was $55 million in the quarter against $10 million a year earlier. Source
  • Diluted share count rose: Weighted-average diluted shares and equivalents were 98,204 in the quarter, against 59,656 a year earlier. Source
  • Treasury share purchases were small: Purchases of treasury shares were $2 million in the quarter and $14 million for the six months. Source

Strategy and integration

  • Integration gaining momentum: Management tied the quarter's performance to execution across the combined company as integration gains momentum. Source
  • Positioned with broader portfolio: Management said Waters is better positioned than at any point in its recent history, citing a broader portfolio, a larger installed base and growth catalysts. Source
  • Growth strategy compounds as markets strengthen: Management said the growth strategy compounds as end market conditions continue to strengthen. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
ASD instrument revenue Source$240 million, up 5% reported and 8% in constant currency

Risks management discussed

  • External: Currency translation reduced reported organic growth by 2 points, so constant currency growth was 9%. Source
  • Financial: GAAP results include purchase accounting charges from the acquisition, including amortization of acquired intangibles and inventory step-up. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Management said the company executed ahead of guidance across all four divisions in the quarter. Source
  • Ahead: Acquired businesses revenue was $15 million above the company's guidance for the quarter. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.