tiprankstipranks
Trending News
More News >
Watts Water Technologies (WTS)
NYSE:WTS
Advertisement

Watts Water Technologies (WTS) AI Stock Analysis

Compare
162 Followers

Top Page

WTS

Watts Water Technologies

(NYSE:WTS)

Rating:79Outperform
Price Target:
$274.00
▲(8.74%Upside)
Watts Water Technologies demonstrates strong financial health and effective strategic management, bolstered by positive earnings results and proactive measures against tariff impacts. However, valuation concerns and potential market challenges in Europe temper the overall score.
Positive Factors
Market Share
Watts' domestic manufacturing footprint allowed them to gain market share and drive margins due to better product availability.
Trade Policy
Watts could be a net beneficiary of U.S. trade policy with more domestic production than competitors who source more heavily from China.
Negative Factors
Demand Concerns
Tariffs are expected to lead to fundamentally lower demand in Watts' end markets.
Global Trade Uncertainty
Uncertainty around global trading rules and trade freezes between the U.S. and China are expected to persist, posing challenges for investments.

Watts Water Technologies (WTS) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Watts Water Technologies Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionWatts Water Technologies, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells products, solution, and systems that manage and conserve the flow of fluids and energy into, through and out of buildings in the commercial and residential markets in the Americas, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. The company offers residential and commercial flow control products, including backflow preventers, water pressure regulators, temperature and pressure relief valves, and thermostatic mixing valves. It also provides heating, ventilation, and air conditioning and gas products, such as boilers, water heaters, custom heat, and hot water solutions; hydronic and electric heating systems for under-floor radiant applications; custom heat and hot water solutions; hydronic pump groups for boiler manufacturers and alternative energy control packages; and flexible stainless steel connectors for natural and liquid propane gas in commercial food service and residential applications. In addition, the company offers drainage and water re-use products comprising drainage products and engineered rain water harvesting solutions for commercial, industrial, marine, and residential applications; and water quality products that include point-of-use and point-of-entry water filtration, conditioning, and scale prevention systems for commercial and residential applications. Further, it provides smart mixing system under the IntelliStation name. The company sells its products to plumbing, heating, and mechanical wholesale distributors and dealers, as well as original equipment manufacturers, specialty product distributors, do-it-yourself chains, and retail chains; and directly to wholesalers and private label accounts. Watts Water Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1874 and is headquartered in North Andover, Massachusetts.
How the Company Makes MoneyWatts Water Technologies generates revenue primarily through the sale of its diverse range of plumbing, heating, and water quality products. The company's revenue streams are categorized by key segments, including Residential & Commercial Flow, HVAC & Gas, and Water Quality. Watts sells its products through a broad network of wholesale distributors, retail channels, and directly to contractors and engineers. Additionally, the company benefits from strategic partnerships and acquisitions that enhance its product portfolio and market reach. Watts also invests in innovation and technology to maintain a competitive edge, which supports continued growth and profitability.

Watts Water Technologies Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 07, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 19.34%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 06, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mixed sentiment, highlighting strong financial performance and proactive strategies to mitigate tariff impacts, but also noting challenges with declining organic sales and weakness in Europe. The company's outlook remains cautious due to ongoing economic uncertainties.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Adjusted Operating Income and Margin
The company reported record adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin in the first quarter of 2025, exceeding expectations due to better-than-expected volume, productivity, and cost controls.
Dividend Increase
Watts Water Technologies announced a 21% dividend increase beginning in June 2025, supported by a strong balance sheet with ample capacity for capital allocation flexibility.
Strong Performance in Americas and APMEA
The Americas segment margin increased by 130 basis points to 23.4%, and APMEA sales increased 9% on a reported basis and 13% on an organic basis, with growth in China, the Middle East, and Australia.
Successful Integration of I-CON Acquisition
Integration efforts with the I-CON acquisition are progressing well, expected to be accretive to adjusted EBITDA margins and adjusted EPS in 2025.
Proactive Tariff Mitigation Strategies
The company is implementing strategies to offset tariff impacts, including price increases, supply chain relocation, and leveraging a dual-source supply base.
Negative Updates
Decline in Organic Sales
Organic sales declined 2% in the first quarter of 2025 due to fewer shipping days and continuing weakness in Europe.
Weakness in Europe
Europe organic sales were down 9% and reported sales were down 12%, impacted by fewer shipping days, heat pump destocking, and weakness in new construction markets.
Challenges Due to Tariffs
The company faces challenges from tariffs, particularly on raw materials and components sourced from China, impacting cost base and potentially demand in the second half of 2025.
Potential Demand Reduction in Second Half
There is expected demand reduction due to uncertainty in the trade environment, potential tariff impacts, and global economic slowdown.
Company Guidance
During the Watts Water Technologies First Quarter 2025 Earnings Call, the company reported better-than-expected first-quarter results, with record adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, and adjusted earnings per share. Organic sales declined by 2%, impacted by fewer shipping days and weakness in Europe, but this was offset by the I-CON acquisition. The adjusted operating margin reached 19%, exceeding expectations due to effective volume management, productivity, and cost controls. The company announced a 21% dividend increase beginning in June. For the full year, Watts maintained its organic sales and adjusted operating margin outlook, anticipating that price increases, global sourcing actions, and accelerated onshoring of production will offset tariff costs and potential demand reductions. Adjusted EBITDA grew by 1% to $119 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 21.4%, and adjusted earnings per share increased by 2% to $2.37. The company's balance sheet remained strong, with a net debt to capitalization ratio of negative 9% and a net leverage of negative 0.3. For the second quarter, Watts projected organic sales growth of flat to up 3%, with EBITDA margins expected to be between 21.6% and 22.2%.

Watts Water Technologies Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Watts Water Technologies exhibits strong financial health with consistent revenue growth, effective cost management, and robust cash flow generation. Despite a slowdown in recent revenue growth, the company maintains a solid balance sheet with low leverage and high equity ratio.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Watts Water Technologies has shown strong and consistent revenue growth over several years, with a TTM gross profit margin of 47.65% and net profit margin of 13.06%. The company maintains healthy EBIT and EBITDA margins, indicating effective cost management and operational efficiency. However, recent revenue growth has slowed, suggesting potential challenges in maintaining past growth rates.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
The balance sheet reflects a robust equity position with an equity ratio of 70.89%, underscoring financial stability. The debt-to-equity ratio is low at 0.11, indicating conservative leverage, and the ROE stands at 16.51%, reflecting efficient use of equity to generate profits. However, the decrease in cash and short-term investments could limit liquidity flexibility.
Cash Flow
82
Very Positive
Cash flow analysis shows strong free cash flow growth with a TTM free cash flow to net income ratio of 1.15, indicating good cash conversion. The operating cash flow to net income ratio of 1.27 further highlights the company's strong cash-generating capability. However, the capital expenditure remains consistent, which could limit future cash flow flexibility.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.24B2.25B2.06B1.98B1.81B1.51B
Gross Profit1.07B1.06B960.90M874.30M767.10M625.40M
EBITDA445.70M455.10M401.00M354.30M285.50M226.80M
Net Income292.60M291.20M262.10M251.50M165.70M114.30M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets2.50B2.40B2.31B1.93B1.86B1.74B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments336.80M386.90M350.10M310.80M242.00M218.90M
Total Debt197.20M197.00M298.30M147.60M141.90M198.20M
Total Liabilities728.50M689.10M796.10M630.30M682.40M668.40M
Stockholders Equity1.77B1.71B1.51B1.30B1.17B1.07B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow335.90M325.80M281.10M195.90M154.10M185.00M
Operating Cash Flow370.70M361.10M310.80M224.00M180.80M228.80M
Investing Cash Flow-94.80M-124.70M-343.10M-22.90M-30.70M-54.80M
Financing Cash Flow-175.80M-190.50M69.00M-121.70M-118.60M-181.90M

Watts Water Technologies Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price251.97
Price Trends
50DMA
245.47
Positive
100DMA
225.76
Positive
200DMA
216.56
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
2.16
Positive
RSI
55.03
Neutral
STOCH
42.51
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For WTS, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 251.97 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 250.78, above the 50-day MA of 245.47, and above the 200-day MA of 216.56, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 2.16 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 55.03 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 42.51 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for WTS.

Watts Water Technologies Risk Analysis

Watts Water Technologies disclosed 23 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Watts Water Technologies reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Watts Water Technologies Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (65)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
79
Outperform
$8.41B28.7717.61%0.72%3.89%8.17%
77
Outperform
$8.19B40.5515.24%10.78%30.05%
77
Outperform
$930.81M17.8211.03%0.72%3.69%
75
Outperform
$3.88B26.8417.68%1.07%10.96%43.44%
74
Outperform
$7.11B25.6714.00%1.55%4.23%20.40%
74
Outperform
$10.51B19.9127.60%1.81%-3.53%-7.46%
65
Neutral
$11.06B15.735.16%1.93%3.12%-25.59%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
WTS
Watts Water Technologies
252.78
48.76
23.90%
FLS
Flowserve
54.36
4.47
8.96%
MWA
Mueller Water Products
24.75
4.28
20.91%
AOS
A. O. Smith Corporation
72.06
-10.90
-13.14%
SPXC
SPX
175.41
26.01
17.41%
THR
Thermon Group Holdings
28.12
-5.20
-15.61%

Watts Water Technologies Corporate Events

Executive/Board Changes
Watts Water Technologies Appoints New CFO Ryan Lada
Neutral
Jul 14, 2025

On July 14, 2025, Watts Water Technologies, Inc. announced the appointment of Ryan Lada as the new Chief Financial Officer, effective July 28, 2025. This appointment follows the planned retirement of Shashank Patel, the current CFO, who will assist with the transition. Mr. Lada brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles at companies like The AZEK Company and Cantel Medical Corporation. His compensation package includes a base salary of $525,000, participation in various incentive and benefit plans, and additional allowances.

The most recent analyst rating on (WTS) stock is a Hold with a $217.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Watts Water Technologies stock, see the WTS Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Watts Water Technologies Elects New Board of Directors
Positive
May 22, 2025

On May 21, 2025, Watts Water Technologies, Inc. held its annual meeting where key decisions were made regarding the company’s leadership and financial oversight. The meeting resulted in the election of nine directors for the upcoming term, approval of executive compensation, and ratification of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. These decisions reflect strong shareholder support, with significant majorities voting in favor of each proposal, indicating confidence in the company’s strategic direction and governance.

The most recent analyst rating on (WTS) stock is a Hold with a $217.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Watts Water Technologies stock, see the WTS Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: May 23, 2025