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Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 27, 2025
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Acquisition of BD Biosciences & Diagnostic Solutions Businesses | Acquisition of BD Biosciences & Diagnostic Solutions Businesses On July 13, 2025, the Company entered into a separation agreement ( the “Separation Agreement”) and a merger agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) to purchase and combine Becton, Dickinson and Company’s (“BD”) Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions business with Waters Corporation (the “Merger”). The transaction is structured as a Reverse Morris Trust transaction, where BD’s Biosciences & Diagnostic Solutions business will be spun off to BD shareholders and simultaneously merged with a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The transaction is valued at approximately $17.5 billion as of the date of signing. 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. BD will receive a cash distribution of approximately $4 billion from SpinCo prior to the completion of the combination, subject to adjustment for cash, working capital and indebtedness. In order to fund this cash distribution, SpinCo is expected to incur $4 billion of new indebtedness prior to the completion of the combination, which indebtedness will be assumed by Waters upon completion of the combination. The transaction is expected to close around the end of the first quarter of calendar year 2026, subject to receipt of required regulatory approvals, Waters Corporation shareholder approval and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. The Merger Agreement also contains specified termination rights for the Company and BD, including a right allowing the Company or BD to terminate the Merger Agreement if the Merger has not been consummated on or prior to July 13, 2026 (which date may be extended to October 13, 2026 in the event that required regulatory approvals have not been received). Additionally, the Merger Agreement requires the Company to pay BD a termination fee of $733 million if the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances. In connection with the Merger Agreement, the Company and a financial institution executed a 364-day bridge facility commitment letter, 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.
Risks and Uncertainties | Risks and Uncertainties The Company is subject to risks common to companies in the analytical instrument industry, including, but not limited to, global economic and financial market conditions, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, fluctuations in customer demand, development by its competitors of new technological innovations, costs of developing new technologies, levels of debt and debt service requirements, risk of disruption, dependence on key personnel, protection and litigation of proprietary technology, shifts in taxable income between tax jurisdictions and compliance with new tariff rules and regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and similar foreign regulatory authorities and agencies.
Translation of Foreign Currencies | Translation of Foreign Currencies The functional currency of each of the Company’s foreign operating subsidiaries is the local currency of its country of domicile, except for the Company’s subsidiaries in Hong Kong and Singapore, where the underlying transactional cash flows are denominated in currencies other than the respective local currency of domicile. The functional currency of the Hong Kong and Singapore subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar, based on the respective entity’s cash flows. For the Company’s foreign operations, assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date, while revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the respective period. Any resulting translation gains or losses are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheets.
Cash and Cash Equivalents | Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents represent highly liquid investments, with original maturities of 90 days or less, while investments with longer maturities are classified as investments. The Company maintains cash balances in various operating accounts in excess of federally insured limits, and in foreign subsidiary accounts in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. As of September 27, 2025 and December 31, 2024, $339 million out of $459 million and $275 million out of $325 million, respectively, of the Company’s total cash and cash equivalents were held by foreign subsidiaries. In addition, $285 million out of $459 million and $226 million out of $325 million of cash and cash equivalents were held in currencies other than the U.S. dollar at September 27, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses | Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The Company has very limited use of rebates and other cash considerations payable to customers and, as a result, the transaction price determination does not have any material variable consideration. The Company does not consider there to be significant concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables due to the short-term nature of the balances, the Company having a large and diverse customer base, and the Company having a strong historical experience of collecting receivables with minimal defaults. As a result, credit risk is considered low across territories and trade receivables are considered to be a single class of financial asset. The allowance for credit losses is based on a number of factors and is calculated by applying a historical loss rate to trade receivable aging balances to estimate a general reserve balance along with an additional adjustment for any specific receivables with known or anticipated issues affecting the likelihood of recovery. Past due balances with a probability of default based on historical data as well as relevant available forward-looking information are included in the specific adjustment. The historical loss rate is reviewed on at least an annual basis and the allowance for credit losses is reviewed quarterly for any required adjustments. The Company does not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to its customers. Trade receivables related to instrument sales are collateralized by the instrument that is sold. If there is a risk of default related to a receivable that is collateralized, then the fair value of the collateral is calculated and adjusted for the cost to re-possess, refurbish and re-sell the instrument. This adjusted fair value is compared to the receivable balance and the difference would be recorded as the expected credit loss. The following is a summary of the activity of the Company’s allowance for credit losses for the nine months ended September 27, 2025 and September 28, 2024 (in thousands):
|  | Balance at Beginning of Period |  |  | Additions |  |  | Deductions and Other |  |  | Balance at End of Period |
Allowance for Credit Losses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
September 27, 2025 |  | $ | 14,269 |  |  | $ | 3,797 |  |  | $ | (5,549 | ) |  | $ | 12,517 |
September 28, 2024 |  | $ | 19,335 |  |  | $ | 4,109 |  |  | $ | (7,451 | ) |  | $ | 15,993 |
Fair Value Measurements | Fair Value Measurements In accordance with the accounting standards for fair value measurements and disclosures, certain of the Company’s assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 27, 2025 and December 31, 2024. Fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize observable data, such as quoted prices in active markets. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize data points other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly. Fair values determined by Level 3 inputs utilize unobservable data points for which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions. The following table represents the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 27, 2025 (in thousands):
|  | Total at September 27, 2025 |  |  | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |  | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Waters 401(k) Restoration Plan assets |  | $ | 31,494 |  |  | $ | 31,494 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Foreign currency exchange contracts |  |  | 146 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 146 |  |  |  | — |
Interest rate cross-currency swap agreements |  |  | 130 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 130 |  |  |  | — |
Interest rate swap cash flow hedge |  |  | 122 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 122 |  |  |  | — |
Total |  | $ | 31,892 |  |  | $ | 31,494 |  |  | $ | 398 |  |  | $ | — |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency exchange contracts |  | $ | 542 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 542 |  |  | $ | — |
Interest rate cross-currency swap agreements |  |  | 50,643 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 50,643 |  |  |  | — |
Interest rate swap cash flow hedge |  |  | 2,423 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 2,423 |  |  |  | — |
Total |  | $ | 53,608 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 53,608 |  |  | $ | — |
The following table represents the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2024 (in thousands):
|  | Total at December 31, 2024 |  |  | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |  | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Waters 401(k) Restoration Plan assets |  | $ | 30,137 |  |  | $ | 30,137 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Foreign currency exchange contracts |  |  | 482 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 482 |  |  |  | — |
Interest rate cross-currency swap agreements |  |  | 26,196 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 26,196 |  |  |  | — |
Interest rate swap cash flow hedge |  |  | 503 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 503 |  |  |  | — |
Total |  | $ | 57,318 |  |  | $ | 30,137 |  |  | $ | 27,181 |  |  | $ | — |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency exchange contracts |  | $ | 261 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 261 |  |  | $ | — |
Interest rate swap cash flow hedge |  |  | 641 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 641 |  |  |  | — |
Total |  | $ | 902 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 902 |  |  | $ | — |
Fair Value of 401(k) Restoration Plan Assets The 401(k) Restoration Plan is a nonqualified defined contribution plan, and the assets were held in registered mutual funds and have been classified as Level 1. The fair values of the assets in the plan are determined through market and observable sources from daily quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges. Fair Value of Cash Equivalents, Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts, Interest Rate Cross-Currency Swap Agreements and Interest Rate Swap Cash Flow Hedges The fair values of the Company’s cash equivalents, foreign currency exchange contracts, interest rate cross-currency swap agreements and interest rate swap cash flow hedges are determined through market and observable sources and have been classified as Level 2. These assets and liabilities have been initially valued at the transaction price and subsequently valued, typically utilizing third-party pricing services. The pricing services use many inputs to determine value, including reportable trades, benchmark yields, credit spreads, broker/dealer quotes, current spot rates and other industry and economic events. The Company validates the prices provided by third-party pricing services by reviewing their pricing methods and obtaining market values from other pricing sources. Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments The Company’s accounts receivable and accounts payable are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value due to their short-term nature. The carrying value of the Company’s variable interest rate debt approximates fair value due to the variable nature of the interest rate. The carrying value of the Company’s fixed interest rate debt was $1.3 billion at both September 27, 2025 and December 31, 2024. The fair value of the Company’s fixed interest rate debt was estimated using discounted cash flow models, based on estimated current rates offered for similar debt under current market conditions for the Company. The fair value of the Company’s fixed interest rate debt was estimated to be $1.2 billion and $1.1 billion at September 27, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, using Level 2 inputs.
Derivative Transactions | Derivative Transactions The Company is a global company that operates in over 35 countries and, as a result, the Company’s net sales, cost of sales, operating expenses and balance sheet amounts are significantly impacted by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company is exposed to currency price risk on foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations when it translates its non-U.S. dollar foreign subsidiaries’ financial statements into U.S. dollars and when any of the Company’s subsidiaries purchase or sell products or services in a currency other than its own currency. The Company’s principal strategies in managing exposures to changes in foreign currency exchange rates are to (1) naturally hedge the foreign-currency-denominated liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet against corresponding assets of the same currency, such that any changes in liabilities due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates are typically offset by corresponding changes in assets and (2) mitigate foreign exchange risk exposure of international operations by hedging the variability in the movement of foreign currency exchange rates on a portion of its euro-denominated and yen-denominated net asset investments. The Company presents the derivative transactions in financing activities in the statement of cash flows. Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts The Company does not specifically enter into any derivatives that hedge foreign-currency-denominated operating assets, liabilities or commitments on its balance sheet, other than a portion of certain third-party accounts receivable and accounts payable, and the Company’s net worldwide intercompany receivables and payables, which are eliminated in consolidation. The Company periodically aggregates its net worldwide balances by currency and then enters into foreign currency exchange contracts that mature within 90 days to hedge a portion of the remaining balance to minimize some of the Company’s currency price risk exposure. The foreign currency exchange contracts are not designated for hedge accounting treatment. Principal hedged currencies include the euro, Japanese yen, British pound, Mexican peso and Brazilian real. Cash Flow Hedges The Company’s Credit Facility is a variable borrowing and has interest payments based on a contractually specified interest rate index. The contractually specified index on the Credit Facility is the 1-month, 3-month or 6-month Term SOFR. The variable rate interest payments create interest risk for the Company as interest payments will fluctuate based on changes in the contractually specified interest rate index over the life of the Credit Facility. In order to reduce interest rate risk, the Company has entered into interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional value of $ 150 million to effectively lock in the forecasted interest payments on the variable rate borrowing over its term. The interest rate swaps represent cash flow hedges and are assessed for hedge effectiveness each reporting period. When the hedge relationship is highly effective at achieving offsetting changes in cash flows, the Company will record the entire change in fair value of the interest rate swaps in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The amount in accumulated other comprehensive loss is reclassified to income in the period that the underlying transaction impacts consolidated income. If it becomes probable that the forecasted transaction will not occur, the hedge relationship will be de-designated, and amounts accumulated in other comprehensive loss will be reclassified to income in the current period. Interest settlements due to benchmark interest rate changes are recorded in interest income or interest expense. For the nine months ended September 27, 2025, the Company did not have any cash flow hedges that were deemed ineffective. Interest Rate Cross-Currency Swap Agreements As of September 27, 2025, the Company had entered into interest rate cross-currency swap derivative agreements with durations up to three years with an aggregate notional value of $730 million to hedge the variability in the movement of foreign currency exchange rates on a portion of its euro-denominated and yen-denominated net asset investments. Under hedge accounting, the change in fair value of the derivative that relates to changes in the foreign currency spot rate are recorded in the currency translation adjustment in other comprehensive income and remain in accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity until the sale or substantial liquidation of the foreign operation. The difference between the interest rate received and paid under the interest rate cross-currency swap derivative agreement is recorded in interest income in the statement of operations. The Company’s foreign currency exchange contracts, interest rate cross-currency swap agreements and interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges included in the consolidated balance sheets are classified as follows (in thousands):
|  | September 27, 2025 |  |  | December 31, 2024 |
|  | Notional Value |  |  | Fair Value |  |  | Notional Value |  |  | Fair Value |
Foreign currency exchange contracts: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other current assets |  | $ | 18,499 |  |  | $ | 146 |  |  | $ | 14,999 |  |  | $ | 482 |
Other current liabilities |  | $ | 49,757 |  |  | $ | 542 |  |  | $ | 24,749 |  |  | $ | 261 |
Interest rate cross-currency swap agreements: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other assets |  | $ | 90,000 |  |  | $ | 130 |  |  | $ | 625,000 |  |  | $ | 26,196 |
Other liabilities |  | $ | 640,000 |  |  | $ | 50,643 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income |  |  |  |  |  | $ | (49,937 | ) |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 32,979 |
Interest rate swap cash flow hedges: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other assets |  | $ | 50,000 |  |  | $ | 122 |  |  | $ | 100,000 |  |  | $ | 503 |
Other liabilities |  | $ | 100,000 |  |  | $ | 2,423 |  |  | $ | 50,000 |  |  | $ | 641 |
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income |  |  |  |  |  | $ | (2,301 | ) |  |  |  |  |  | $ | (138 | )
The following is a summary of the activity included in the consolidated statements of operations and statements of comprehensive income related to the foreign currency exchange contracts, interest rate cross-currency swap agreements and interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges (in thousands):
|  |  |  |  | Three Months Ended |  |  | Nine Months Ended |
|  | Financial Statement Classification |  |  | September 27, 2025 |  |  | September 28, 2024 |  |  | September 27, 2025 |  |  | September 28, 2024 |
Foreign currency exchange contracts: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Realized (losses) gains on closed contracts |  |  | Cost of sales |  |  | $ | (23 | ) |  | $ | (138 | ) |  | $ | (1,421 | ) |  | $ | 914 |
Unrealized (losses) gains on open contracts |  |  | Cost of sales |  |  |  | (922 | ) |  |  | (26 | ) |  |  | (618 | ) |  |  | 39 |
Cumulative net pre-tax (losses) gains |  |  | Cost of sales |  |  | $ | (945 | ) |  | $ | (164 | ) |  | $ | (2,039 | ) |  | $ | 953 |
Interest rate cross-currency swap agreements: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest earned |  |  | Interest income |  |  | $ | 3,076 |  |  | $ | 2,486 |  |  | $ | 8,145 |  |  | $ | 7,613 |
Unrealized gains (losses) on open contracts |  |  | Other comprehensive income |  |  | $ | 471 |  |  | $ | (28,339 | ) |  | $ | (82,917 | ) |  | $ | (6,775 | )
Interest rate swap cash flow hedges: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest earned |  |  | Interest income |  |  | $ | 120 |  |  | $ | 366 |  |  | $ | 431 |  |  | $ | 940 |
Unrealized losses on open contracts |  |  | Other comprehensive income |  |  | $ | (32 | ) |  | $ | (3,391 | ) |  | $ | (2,163 | ) |  | $ | (731 | )
Stockholders' Equity | Stockholders’ Equity In December 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the extension of its existing share repurchase program through January 21, 2028. The Company’s remaining authorization is $1.0 billion. The Company did not make any open market share repurchases in 2025 or 2024. The Company repurchased $15 million and $13 million of common stock related to the vesting of restricted stock units during the nine months ended September 27, 2025 and September 28, 2024, respectively.
Product Warranty Costs | Product Warranty Costs The Company accrues estimated product warranty costs at the time of sale, which are included in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations. While the Company engages in extensive product quality programs and processes, including actively monitoring and evaluating the quality of its component suppliers, the Company’s warranty obligation is affected by product failure rates, material usage and service delivery costs incurred in correcting a product failure. The amount of the accrued warranty liability is based on historical information, such as past experience, product failure rates, number of units repaired and estimated costs of material and labor. The liability is reviewed for reasonableness at least quarterly. The following is a summary of the activity of the Company’s accrued warranty liability for the nine months ended September 27, 2025 and September 28, 2024 (in thousands):
|  | Balance at Beginning of Period |  |  | Accruals for Warranties |  |  | Settlements Made |  |  | Balance at End of Period |
Accrued warranty liability: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
September 27, 2025 |  | $ | 11,602 |  |  | $ | 4,658 |  |  | $ | (4,691 | ) |  | $ | 11,569 |
September 28, 2024 |  | $ | 12,050 |  |  | $ | 3,812 |  |  | $ | (5,371 | ) |  | $ | 10,491 |
Subsequent Event | Subsequent Event In October 2025, the Company entered into a derivative agreement with a duration up to two years, and a notional value of $50 million to hedge the variability in the movement of foreign currency exchange rates on a portion of its euro-denominated net asset investments. The Company expects to designate the derivative as an interest rate cross-currency swap under hedge accounting.

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- Definition Disclosure of accounting policy for (1) transactions denominated in a currency other than the reporting enterprise's functional currency, (2) translating foreign currency financial statements that are incorporated into the financial statements of the reporting enterprise by consolidation, combination, or the equity method of accounting, and (3) remeasurement of the financial statements of a foreign reporting enterprise in a hyperinflationary economy. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 830 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/830/tableOfContent + Details
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- Definition Disclosure of accounting policy for receivable. Includes, but is not limited to, accounts receivable and financing receivable. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481962/310-10-50-2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 310 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481569/310-20-50-1 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (d) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481962/310-10-50-2 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481962/310-10-50-2 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481962/310-10-50-2 + Details
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- Definition Disclosure of accounting policy for standard warranties including the methodology for measuring the liability. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Topic 460 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -Subparagraph (b) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482425/460-10-50-8 + Details
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- Definition Disclosure of accounting policy for its capital stock transactions, including dividends and accumulated other comprehensive income. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 946 -SubTopic 235 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477968/946-235-50-2 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -SubTopic 10 -Topic 505 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481112/505-10-50-1 + Details
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