Unless otherwise noted, sales growth and decline percentages are presented on an as reported basis and are the same as the sales growth and decline percentages presented on a constant currency basis as compared with the same period in the prior year, each of which is detailed in the reconciliation of sales growth rates to constant currency growth rates below.
During the third quarter of 2018, sales into the pharmaceutical market grew 1% as reported and 2% in constant currency, sales into the industrial market grew 2%, and sales into the governmental and academic markets grew 7% as reported and 8% in constant currency. During the first nine months of 2018, sales into the pharmaceutical market grew 5% as reported and 3% in constant currency, sales into the industrial market grew 3% as reported and 1% in constant currency, and sales into the governmental and academic markets grew 11% as reported and 9% in constant currency.
During the third quarter, recurring revenues, which represent the combination of service and precision chemistries revenues, grew 4% as reported and 6% in constant currency, while instrument system sales were flat year over year. For the first nine months of 2018, recurring revenues grew 9% as reported and 6% in constant currency, while instrument system sales grew 1% as reported and were flat in constant currency.
Geographically, sales in Asia during the quarter grew 6% as reported and 7% in constant currency, sales in the Americas grew 2% (with U.S. sales flat), and sales in Europe declined 3% as reported and 2% in constant currency. For the first nine months of 2018, sales in Asia grew 6% as reported and 5% in constant currency, sales in the Americas grew 2%, with U.S. sales increasing 1%, and sales in Europe grew 7% as reported and 2% in constant currency.
Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2018 Financial Outlook
Waters Corporation expects fourth quarter 2018 constant currency sales growth to be in a range of 3% to 4%. As of today, currency translation is expected to decrease fourth quarter sales growth by one to two percentage points. The Company also expects fourth quarter 2018non-GAAP earnings per fully diluted share to be in the range of $2.55 to $2.65. Please refer to the table below for a reconciliation of the projected GAAP tonon-GAAP financial outlook for the fourth quarter.
The Company is revising its full-year 2018 guidance for constant currency sales growth to be in the range of 3% to 4%, compared to the prior range of 4% to 6%. As of today, currency translation is expected to increase 2018 sales growth by approximately one percentage point. The Company is also revising its guidance for full-year 2018non-GAAP earnings per fully diluted share to be in the range of $8.00 to $8.10, compared to the prior range of $8.05 to $8.20. Please refer to the table below for a reconciliation of the projected GAAP tonon-GAAP financial outlook for the full year.
Conference Call
Waters Corporation will webcast its third quarter 2018 financial results conference call today, October 23, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To listen to the call, please visit www.waters.com, choose “Investors,” and click on the “Live Webcast.” A replay will be available through October 30, 2018 at midnight Eastern Time on the same website by webcast and also by phone at402-998-0977.