The end of an earnings season can be a great time to discover new stocks and assess how companies are handling the current business environment. Let’s take a look at how Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) and the rest of the research tools & consumables stocks fared in Q2.
The life sciences subsector specializing in research tools and consumables enables scientific discoveries across academia, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals. These firms supply a wide range of essential laboratory products, ensuring a recurring revenue stream through repeat purchases and replenishment. Their business models benefit from strong customer loyalty, a diversified product portfolio, and exposure to both the research and clinical markets. However, challenges include high R&D investment to maintain technological leadership, pricing pressures from budget-conscious institutions, and vulnerability to fluctuations in research funding cycles. Looking ahead, this subsector stands to benefit from tailwinds such as growing demand for tools supporting emerging fields like synthetic biology and personalized medicine. There is also a rise in automation and AI-driven solutions in laboratories that could create new opportunities to sell tools and consumables. Nevertheless, headwinds exist. These companies tend to be at the mercy of supply chain disruptions and sensitivity to macroeconomic conditions that impact funding for research initiatives.
The 9 research tools & consumables stocks we track reported a strong Q2. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.7% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.
Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 6.2% on average since the latest earnings results.
Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT)
Founded in 1958 and pioneering innovations in laboratory analysis for over six decades, Waters (NYSE: WAT) develops and manufactures analytical instruments, software, and consumables for liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and thermal analysis used in scientific research and quality testing.
Waters Corporation reported revenues of $1.65 billion, up 113% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 1.3%. Despite the top-line beat, it was still a mixed quarter for the company with a narrow beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but revenue guidance for next quarter meeting analysts’ expectations.
"Thanks to the hard work of our teams, we delivered industry-leading growth again this quarter, executing ahead of guidance across all four divisions," said Udit Batra, Ph.D., President & Chief Executive Officer, Waters Corporation.
Waters Corporation pulled off the fastest revenue growth of the whole group. Unsurprisingly, the stock is up 9.6% since reporting and currently trades at $410.68.
Is now the time to buy Waters Corporation? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Best Q2: Avantor (NYSE: AVTR)
With roots dating back to 1904 and embedded in virtually every stage of scientific research and production, Avantor (NYSE: AVTR) provides mission-critical products, materials, and services to customers in biopharma, healthcare, education, and advanced technology industries.
Avantor reported revenues of $1.69 billion, flat year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 4.9%. The business had an exceptional quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ organic revenue estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ full-year EPS guidance estimates.
Avantor achieved the biggest analyst estimate beat in the group. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 15.7% since reporting. It currently trades at $14.37.
Is now the time to buy Avantor? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Weakest Q2: Bruker (NASDAQ: BRKR)
With roots dating back to the pioneering days of nuclear magnetic resonance technology, Bruker (NASDAQ: BRKR) develops and manufactures high-performance scientific instruments that enable researchers and industrial analysts to explore materials at microscopic, molecular, and cellular levels.
Bruker reported revenues of $838.5 million, up 5.2% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 1.9%. It was a slower quarter as it posted a slight miss of analysts’ organic revenue estimates and full-year revenue guidance slightly missing analysts’ expectations.
Bruker delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. As expected, the stock is down 11.4% since the results and currently trades at $56.98.
Read our full analysis of Bruker’s results here.
Sotera Health Company (NASDAQ: SHC)
With a critical role in ensuring the safety of millions of patients worldwide, Sotera Health (NASDAQGS:SHC) provides sterilization services, lab testing, and advisory services to ensure medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and food products are safe for use.
Sotera Health Company reported revenues of $321.4 million, up 9.2% year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 3.8%. It was a very strong quarter as it also recorded an impressive beat of analysts’ organic revenue estimates and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.
The stock is up 6.6% since reporting and currently trades at $19.18.
Read our full, actionable report on Sotera Health Company here, it’s free.
Danaher (NYSE: DHR)
Born from a real estate investment trust that transformed into a manufacturing powerhouse, Danaher (NYSE: DHR) is a global science and technology company that provides specialized equipment, software, and services for biotechnology, life sciences, and diagnostics.
Danaher reported revenues of $6.27 billion, up 5.5% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 2.7%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also logged a narrow beat of analysts’ organic revenue estimates and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.
The stock is up 7.4% since reporting and currently trades at $215.93.
Read our full, actionable report on Danaher here, it’s free.
Market Update
Over the past year, investors have been forced to repeatedly answer the same question: what is the market’s biggest risk? The answer has changed several times, and each shift has reshaped market leadership.
Late in 2025 and early 2026, artificial intelligence became the market’s primary uncertainty. Investors questioned whether AI would erode software pricing power and weaken competitive moats as AI made it easier to replicate once-differentiated products.
By the spring, technology took a back seat to geopolitics. The U.S. conflict with Iran briefly became the market’s dominant narrative, raising concerns about oil prices, inflation, and global growth. But as energy markets remained orderly and fears of a prolonged supply disruption faded, investors quickly turned their focus back to fundamentals.
Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our 9 Best Market-Beating Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.
