Who Owns Waters Company?

Waters Bundle

Get Full Bundle:

	SWOT	$15	$10
	5 FORCES	$15	$10
	BCG	$15	$10
	CANVAS	$15	$10
	4P's MIX	$15	$10
	PESTLE	$15	$10

TOTAL:

ADD TO CART

Who Really Owns Waters Company?

Ever wondered who calls the shots at a $20 billion leader in analytical technologies? Tracing the Waters SWOT Analysis reveals more than just market trends; it unveils the very fabric of the company's control. From its humble beginnings as Waters Associates to its current global presence, understanding Waters Company Ownership is key to grasping its strategic trajectory.

This deep dive into Waters Company's ownership structure, from its initial public offering in 1995 to today, will illuminate the influence of major shareholders and the impact of its leadership team. Examining the evolution of its parent company and the dynamics of its publicly traded status offers crucial insights for investors and anyone interested in the company's financial performance and future. Understanding who owns Waters Company is the first step in evaluating its long-term prospects.

The story of the Waters Company's ownership begins in 1958 with its founder, James Logan Waters. He launched the company, initially financing it with funds from a previous business venture. This marked the start of a journey that would see the company evolve from a small, self-funded operation to a significant player in its industry.

Early on, the company focused on creating specialized instruments. These included pioneering products like a boiler feedwater flame photometer and a nerve gas detector. This initial focus on custom-built instruments set the stage for future innovations and collaborations.

In 1962, Waters opened the company to external investment, selling a stake to venture capitalist Hardie Sheppard for $150,000. This move was a pivotal step in the company's growth, bringing in outside capital and expertise. The early investments and partnerships played a crucial role in shaping the company's strategic direction.

Key Early Investors and Partnerships

Several key partnerships and investments helped shape the early years of the Waters Company. These relationships not only provided capital but also strategic direction.

• Hardie Sheppard: In 1962, Sheppard, a venture capitalist from Payson and Trask, invested $150,000 in the company.
• Dow Chemical: Dow Chemical became a significant early backer, contracting Waters for a custom refractometer in 1963 and later investing $400,000 in 1964. By 1979, Dow Chemical's ownership reached almost 25%.
• Millipore Corporation: In 1967, Dimitri D'Arbeloff, then president of Millipore Corporation, joined Waters' board of directors, and Millipore's venture capital subsidiary invested $600,000.

Waters SWOT Analysis

• Complete SWOT Breakdown
• Fully Customizable
• Editable in Excel & Word
• Professional Formatting
• Investor-Ready Format

GET TEMPLATE ➔

The evolution of Waters Company's ownership began with its initial public offering (IPO) in November 1995, marking its transition to a publicly traded entity. This event significantly altered the company's ownership structure, opening it up to a broader base of investors. Since then, the company has been subject to market dynamics and investor behavior, influencing its ownership landscape over time. For more insights, consider reading a Brief History of Waters.

As of June 13, 2025, Waters Company's market capitalization stood at approximately $20.37 billion. The majority of the company's stock is held by institutional investors, reflecting a stable and influential ownership base. This structure impacts company strategy and governance.

Key institutional shareholders as of March 30, 2025, include The Vanguard Group, Inc., holding 12.22% (7,272,252 shares), and BlackRock, Inc., holding 11.66% (6,940,611 shares). As of December 30, 2024, other major institutional investors included Fundsmith, LLP (6.11% or 3,634,522 shares), AllianceBernstein L.P. (4.46% or 2,654,002 shares), and State Street Global Advisors, Inc. (4.37% or 2,602,002 shares). These figures highlight the significant influence these entities wield over Waters Company. The company's 2024 Annual Report (Form 10-K), filed on February 25, 2025, provides detailed information on financial performance and capital management, offering further insights into the company's operations and shareholder structure.

Waters Company Ownership Overview

Waters Company is primarily owned by institutional investors, with a significant portion held by mutual funds. Insiders hold a small percentage of the shares.

• Institutional investors hold the majority of the shares.
• The Vanguard Group and BlackRock are major shareholders.
• The company's annual reports provide detailed ownership information.
• Understanding the ownership structure is vital for investors.

Waters PESTLE Analysis

• Covers All 6 PESTLE Categories
• No Research Needed – Save Hours of Work
• Built by Experts, Trusted by Consultants
• Instant Download, Ready to Use
• 100% Editable, Fully Customizable

GET TEMPLATE ➔

The current Board of Directors of Waters Corporation, as of April 9, 2025, is pivotal in guiding the company. The leadership includes Dr. Flemming Ørnskov as the Independent Chairman and Udit Batra as CEO and President. Key executives such as Amol Chaubal (SVP & Chief Financial Officer), Jianqing Y. Bennett (Senior Vice President - TA Instruments Division and Clinical Business Unit), and Robert L. Carpio (Senior Vice President - Waters Division) also play crucial roles. Independent directors, including Linda Baddour, Daniel J. Brennan, Richard H. Fearon, and Pearl S. Huang, contribute to the board's oversight.

The composition of the board reflects a blend of executive leadership and independent oversight, ensuring a balance of operational expertise and strategic guidance. This structure is designed to support the company's long-term goals and maintain accountability to its shareholders. The board's decisions are critical in shaping the company's direction and financial performance, as highlighted in the Revenue Streams & Business Model of Waters article.

Waters Corporation operates under a one-share-one-vote structure, typical for companies listed on the NYSE. The company's definitive proxy statement, filed around April 9, 2025, for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 22, 2025, details voting matters. While specific details on dual-class shares are unavailable, substantial institutional ownership, particularly by entities like Vanguard Group and BlackRock, grants significant voting power. Insider holdings, though at a modest 0.12% as of May 2025, represent the direct stake of management and directors in the company's performance, influencing shareholder decisions.

Voting Power and Ownership

The voting structure at Waters Corporation is straightforward, with each share carrying one vote. This structure ensures that shareholder voting power is directly proportional to their shareholdings. Major institutional investors significantly influence voting outcomes due to their substantial ownership stakes.

• One-share-one-vote system
• Significant influence from institutional investors
• Insider holdings represent direct management stake
• Proxy statements provide detailed voting information

Waters Business Model Canvas

• Complete 9-Block Business Model Canvas
• Effortlessly Communicate Your Business Strategy
• Investor-Ready BMC Format
• 100% Editable and Customizable
• Clear and Structured Layout

GET TEMPLATE ➔

In recent years, the ownership of Waters Corporation has primarily been characterized by significant institutional holdings. As of May 2025, institutional investors held approximately 96.73% of the company's stock. Mutual funds account for a substantial portion of this, holding around 86.37%. This indicates a strong level of confidence from major financial institutions in the long-term prospects of Waters Company.

Insiders' holdings have seen a slight decrease, with their ownership dropping from 0.14% to 0.12% by March 2025. This shift could reflect various factors, including insider selling or changes in the company’s executive structure. Understanding the dynamics of Waters Company shareholders is crucial for investors.

Waters Corporation has also been active in share repurchases. The board authorized the extension of its share repurchase program through January 21, 2028, with a remaining authorization of $1.0 billion. While no open market share repurchases were made in 2024, the company repurchased 0.2 million shares in 2023 at a cost of $58 million. The company continued stock buybacks into 2024 and 2025, with $13.91 million in repurchases as of March 31, 2025. This strategic move is aimed at increasing shareholder value.

Acquisition and Market Focus

The acquisition of Wyatt Technology, LLC for $1.3 billion in 2023 boosted Waters' portfolio. This move expanded its exposure to large molecule applications. The company's focus on the biologics segment, which makes up approximately 35% of its pharmaceutical revenue, is a key strategic direction.

Financial Outlook

Waters anticipates a constant currency sales growth between +4.5% and +7.0% for the full year 2025. Non-GAAP EPS is projected to be between $12.70 and $13.00. This positive outlook reflects the company's strategic initiatives and market positioning.

Strategic Growth in Biologics

Waters is strategically focusing on the biologics segment. This segment now accounts for approximately 35% of its pharmaceutical revenue. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.3% through 2028, positioning the company well for future growth.

Share Repurchase Program

The company has a share repurchase program in place to increase shareholder value. The board extended the existing share repurchase program through January 21, 2028, with a remaining authorization of $1.0 billion. This action demonstrates confidence in the company's financial health.

Waters Porter's Five Forces Analysis

• Covers All 5 Competitive Forces in Detail
• Structured for Consultants, Students, and Founders
• 100% Editable in Microsoft Word & Excel
• Instant Digital Download – Use Immediately
• Compatible with Mac & PC – Fully Unlocked

GET TEMPLATE ➔

Related Blogs