Waters Corp cuts annual profit forecast on weak demand for lab equipment
July 31 (Reuters) -Waters Corp WAT.N lowered its annual profit forecast as it anticipates reduced demand for its products and services used in drug development and research.
Milford, Massachusetts-based Waters supplies lab equipment and technology for scientists across the world, with the majority of its revenue coming in from biopharma clients who use its tools for research and drug development.
Contract drug manufacturers and equipment makers have seen sluggish demand as cash-strapped drug developers remain wary of spending amid multi-decade-high interest rates.
The public funding environment for early-stage biotechs is expected to improve in the second half of this year, on hopes of interest rate cuts from the U.S. Federal Reserve in September. Some analysts have noted that funding for biotechs could stabilize due to a strong 2023 for regulatory approvals in the United States.
Earlier this month, larger peer Thermo Fisher Scientific TMO.N raised its annual profit forecast, betting on improved demand for its products and services used in clinical trials.
Waters reported an adjusted profit per share of $2.63 for the quarter ended June 29, beating estimates of $2.56, according to LSEG data.
The company expects adjusted profit to be between $11.55 and $11.65 per share for the year compared to its previous forecast of between $11.75 and $12.05. Analysts expect annual profit of $11.78 per share.
Quarterly revenue fell 4% to $708.5 million, ahead of analysts' estimates of $700.1 million, helped by strong demand in China and better-than-expected contribution from its acquisition of peer Wyatt Technology in 2023.
Shares of the company fell about 4% in premarket trade.
Reporting by Christy Santhosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar and Krishna Chandra Eluri
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