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BDX vs STE
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) vs. STERIS plc (STE) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- BDX and STE both serve the medical technology sector, with focuses on devices, diagnostics, and infection prevention products.
- BDX offers a lower forward P/E (price-to-earnings) ratio of 11.89 versus STE's 19.65, suggesting relative value in recent market activity.
- STE demonstrates stronger profitability with a 12.14% profit margin and 10.47% ROE (return on equity), compared to BDX's 8.01% and 6.96%.
- Year-to-date, STE has outperformed with +15.22% returns versus BDX's +1.51%, amid broader healthcare sector positioning.
- Both stocks have faced recent share price weakness, with upcoming earnings reports likely to influence near-term sentiment.
- Analyst price targets imply significant upside: ~28% for BDX to $191 and ~30% for STE to $279.
Introduction
Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) and STERIS plc (STE) are prominent players in the medical technology space, specializing in essential healthcare products like devices, diagnostics, and sterilization solutions. This stock comparison is particularly relevant for investors and traders seeking defensive exposure to the healthcare equipment and supplies sector, which offers resilience amid economic uncertainty. By examining recent performance, financial metrics, and market positioning, readers can assess relative strengths in growth potential, valuation, and risk profiles during current market conditions.
BDX Overview and Recent Performance
Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) is a global medical technology firm founded in 1897, developing and selling medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostics across segments like Medical Essentials, Connected Care, and Life Sciences. With a market capitalization of approximately $42.5 billion, it serves healthcare institutions and pharmaceutical industries.
In recent market activity, BDX shares have experienced weakness, trading around $149 within a 52-week range of $128-$187. Year-to-date returns stand at +1.51%, lagging the S&P 500, influenced by anticipation of Q2 fiscal 2026 earnings expected to show an EPS (earnings per share) decline. Key developments include plans for a Life Sciences spinoff to streamline the portfolio, advancements in vascular access technology, and dividend declarations, which have shaped investor sentiment toward long-term restructuring potential despite near-term pressures.
STE Overview and Recent Performance
STERIS plc (STE) provides infection prevention products and services worldwide through Healthcare, Applied Sterilization Technologies, and Life Sciences segments, offering sterilization equipment, endoscope reprocessing, and consulting for hospitals and pharmaceutical firms. Headquartered in Ohio, it holds a $21 billion market cap.
Recent weeks have seen STE shares hover near $214 in a 52-week range of $210-$269, with year-to-date gains of +15.22% driven by resilience in medical equipment sales. Performance reflects mixed sentiment from share price dips and valuation discussions, ahead of fiscal 2026 Q4 earnings on May 12. Developments such as strong segment execution and analyst upgrades have bolstered positioning, though broader market comparisons highlight underperformance versus peaks.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
BDX boasts a broader business model in diagnostics and vascular devices, contrasting STE’s specialization in sterilization and outsourced services, providing STE with recurring revenue stability. Growth drivers differ: BDX via spinoffs and innovation, STE through contract demand in healthcare.
Recent momentum favors STE on YTD basis, but both show volatility with trailing 1-year returns of 14.65% for BDX versus 2.80% for STE. Risk factors include BDX’s higher debt load ($19.5 billion vs. $0.75 billion cash), while STE maintains a healthier balance sheet. Both expose investors to healthcare equipment sector dynamics, with sentiment lifted by earnings catalysts but tempered by share weakness.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors STE due to superior profitability (higher margins and ROE), stronger year-to-date momentum, and a relatively balanced balance sheet amid recent healthcare trends. While BDX presents value via lower forward P/E and restructuring catalysts, STE’s consistency positions it probabilistically better for near-term relative outperformance.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is BDX is a Hold and STE is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
BDX’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileSTE’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- BDX’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- STE’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
BDX’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while STE’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- BDX’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
- STE’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
BDX (@Pharmaceuticals: Other) experienced а +2.32% price change this week, while STE (@Medical/Nursing Services) price change was -1.00% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Pharmaceuticals: Other industry was -0.71%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +1.14%, and the average quarterly price growth was +21.57%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Medical/Nursing Services industry was -0.80%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -1.65%, and the average quarterly price growth was -4.18%.
Reported Earning Dates
BDX is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 2026.
STE is expected to report earnings on Aug 10, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Pharmaceuticals: Other (-0.71% weekly)Pharmaceuticals (Other) comprise companies that are involved in the discovery, development or manufacturing of therapeutic and preventative medicines. They often collaborate with or acquire other pharmaceutical/healthcare firms. Examples of companies in this segment include Bausch Health Companies Inc., Icon Plc and Perrigo Company Plc.
@Medical/Nursing Services (-0.80% weekly)The medical/nursing services includes companies that provide medical-related services such as ambulance services, dialysis centers, respiratory therapy, blood testing and rehabilitation services. DaVita Inc., Chemed Corporation and Guardant Health, Inc. are examples of companies in this industry.
| BDX | STE | BDX / STE | |
| Capitalization | 40.6B | 20.7B | 196% |
| EBITDA | 4.97B | 1.49B | 334% |
| Gain YTD | -2.729 | -16.619 | 16% |
| P/E Ratio | 25.74 | 26.59 | 97% |
| Revenue | 22.2B | 5.83B | 381% |
| Total Cash | 816M | 424M | 192% |
| Total Debt | 17.3B | 2.05B | 842% |
BDX | STE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 6 | 57 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 15 Undervalued | 18 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 88 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 86 | 68 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 61 | 64 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 77 | 80 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
BDX's Valuation (15) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as STE (18). This means that BDX’s stock grew similarly to STE’s over the last 12 months.
STE's Profit vs Risk Rating (88) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as BDX (100). This means that STE’s stock grew similarly to BDX’s over the last 12 months.
STE's SMR Rating (68) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as BDX (86). This means that STE’s stock grew similarly to BDX’s over the last 12 months.
BDX's Price Growth Rating (61) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as STE (64). This means that BDX’s stock grew similarly to STE’s over the last 12 months.
BDX's P/E Growth Rating (77) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as STE (80). This means that BDX’s stock grew similarly to STE’s over the last 12 months.
| BDX | STE | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 44% | 1 day ago 67% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 43% | 1 day ago 57% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 49% | 1 day ago 49% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 41% | 1 day ago 49% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 45% | 1 day ago 54% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 42% | 1 day ago 52% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 43% | 8 days ago 50% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 41% | 3 days ago 53% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 48% | 1 day ago 57% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 47% | 1 day ago 52% |
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BDX and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, BDX has been loosely correlated with TMO. These tickers have moved in lockstep 50% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if BDX jumps, then TMO could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To BDX | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDX | 100% | +3.05% | ||
| TMO - BDX | 50% Loosely correlated | +1.48% | ||
| COO - BDX | 49% Loosely correlated | +1.64% | ||
| CNMD - BDX | 48% Loosely correlated | +2.10% | ||
| BAX - BDX | 47% Loosely correlated | +2.05% | ||
| SOLV - BDX | 46% Loosely correlated | +1.32% | ||
More | ||||
STE and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, STE has been loosely correlated with LH. These tickers have moved in lockstep 50% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if STE jumps, then LH could also see price increases.