Waters Shareholders Vote to Support BD Business Combination Strategy

Waters Corporation shareholders have delivered strong backing for the company’s proposed merger with Becton, Dickinson and Company’s Biosciences & Diagnostic Solutions division. At a special shareholders meeting held this week, investors overwhelmingly approved the issuance of Waters common stock to BDX shareholders, with approximately 99% of shares voting in favor of the transaction. This decisive support underscores investor confidence in the strategic rationale behind the combination.

Strategic Vision: CEO Affirms Commitment to Long-Term Value Creation

Waters Chief Executive Officer Udit Batra emphasized the significance of shareholder support, stating: “We appreciate the continued backing of our shareholders as we advance toward completing this transformational transaction. We look forward to creating meaningful value for patients, customers, employees, and shareholders alike.” The CEO’s remarks highlight the company’s intention to leverage the combined entity’s capabilities to serve stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem more effectively. This merger represents a pivotal moment where the right strategic partners have aligned to pursue shared objectives.

Transaction Timeline and Market Response

With shareholder approval secured, Waters is positioned to finalize the transaction on February 9, 2026—just days away. As trading continues, Waters stock closed at $390.54 (down 0.09%), while BDX finished at $203.36 (down 0.02%) on the New York Stock Exchange. Market participants appear to be monitoring developments closely as the deal approaches its completion date. The overwhelming shareholder vote demonstrates that major investors have endorsed management’s decision to pursue this combination, reinforcing confidence in the strategic direction of both organizations.