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IDXX vs STE
Which Stock Would AI Choose? IDEXX Laboratories (IDXX) vs. Steris plc (STE) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- IDXX and STE both delivered strong year-to-date gains of approximately 16% and 15%, respectively, amid healthcare sector resilience.
- IDXX boasts higher profitability margins (24.6%) and return on equity (66.2%) compared to STE's 12.1% and 10.5%.
- STE offers a dividend yield of 1.15%, providing income appeal absent in IDXX.
- IDXX's one-year return significantly outpaces STE at 20% versus 3%, driven by pet health demand.
- Both face earnings catalysts soon, with IDXX reporting Q1 on May 5 and STE Q4 on May 12.
- Tickeron AI favors IDXX for its growth momentum and stability in recent market activity.
Introduction
Investors seeking exposure to healthcare through diagnostics and medical equipment often compare IDXX and STE. IDXX, focused on animal health solutions, contrasts with STE's emphasis on infection prevention and sterilization products. This stock comparison highlights their relative performance, business drivers, and market positioning in the current environment. Traders monitoring healthcare trends and those diversifying portfolios may find insights into growth potential, valuation trade-offs, and sentiment shifts particularly relevant for decision-making.
IDXX Overview and Recent Performance
IDXX (IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.) is a global leader in veterinary diagnostics, practice software, and water testing solutions. In recent market activity, the stock has traded around $567, with a market capitalization of approximately $45 billion. Year-to-date gains stand at 16%, supported by sustained demand in pet healthcare. Key influences include anticipation for Q1 2026 earnings on May 5, with projected revenue of $1.12 billion and EPS of $3.42, reflecting volume growth. Sentiment has improved amid analyst optimism, though shares remain below the 52-week high of $770 after earlier volatility. The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 43 underscores a growth premium, with robust profit margins driving positive relative performance versus broader indices.
STE Overview and Recent Performance
STE (Steris plc) specializes in infection prevention, decontamination, and healthcare products, serving hospitals and pharma. Recently, shares have hovered near $214, with a $21 billion market cap. Year-to-date returns of 15% reflect steady demand, though one-year performance lags at 3% following prior weakness. Upcoming Q4 fiscal 2026 results on May 12 are in focus, building on prior quarters' 9% revenue and EPS growth despite headwinds like tariffs. A P/E ratio of 30 and beta of 0.95 indicate relative stability, with sentiment buoyed by free cash flow strength but tempered by modest ROE (return on equity).
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Head-to-Head Comparison
IDXX and STE operate in complementary healthcare niches: animal diagnostics versus human infection control. Growth drivers differ—IDXX leverages pet ownership surges, while STE benefits from procedural volumes and regulatory needs. Recent momentum favors IDXX with stronger one-year returns, but STE exhibits lower volatility (beta 0.95 vs. 1.57). Valuation contrasts show IDXX's premium P/E reflecting 24.6% margins versus STE's value-oriented profile and dividend. Risk factors include earnings volatility for both and sector headwinds like cost pressures. Market sentiment tilts toward IDXX for growth, while STE appeals for defensive qualities.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron's AI currently favors IDXX over STE, based on superior trend consistency, higher profitability metrics, and relative strength in recent weeks. Factors like elevated ROE and pet health catalysts position IDXX advantageously, though STE's stability merits consideration in risk-averse scenarios. Observables suggest higher probability of outperformance for IDXX amid current conditions.
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.
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 IDXX is a StrongBuy and STE is a StrongBuy.
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).
IDXX’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileSTE’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- IDXX’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.
IDXX’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while STE’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- IDXX’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- STE’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
IDXX (@Medical Specialties) experienced а -5.53% price change this week, while STE (@Medical/Nursing Services) price change was -2.69% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Medical Specialties industry was +0.78%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +3.12%, and the average quarterly price growth was -3.78%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Medical/Nursing Services industry was -0.22%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -3.84%, and the average quarterly price growth was -16.30%.
Reported Earning Dates
IDXX is expected to report earnings on Aug 04, 2026.
STE is expected to report earnings on Aug 10, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Medical Specialties (+0.78% weekly)Medical specialties are companies that make equipment used by the health care industry. Equipment manufactured and distributed by these companies include dialysis machines, blood analysis equipment, surgical equipment, dental instruments, and diagnostic tools, among other items. Large companies typically aim to produce and distribute high-quality products across a broad market spectrum. Smaller firms are more likely to specialize in a particular market segment. Due to the industry’s close association with medical treatments, they typically have low sensitivity to macroeconomic fluctuations. Within this industry, Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic Plc and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. are some of the companies with multi-billion market capitalizations in the U.S. stock markets.
@Medical/Nursing Services (-0.22% 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.
| IDXX | STE | IDXX / STE | |
| Capitalization | 42.7B | 19.8B | 216% |
| EBITDA | 1.56B | 1.59B | 98% |
| Gain YTD | -19.987 | -20.516 | 97% |
| P/E Ratio | 40.16 | 25.27 | 159% |
| Revenue | 4.45B | 5.94B | 75% |
| Total Cash | 201M | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 1.11B | 2.09B | 53% |
IDXX | STE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 12 | 68 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 82 Overvalued | 8 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 84 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 16 | 67 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 58 | 62 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 69 | 83 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 85 | 75 |
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.
STE's Valuation (8) in the Medical Specialties industry is significantly better than the same rating for IDXX (82). This means that STE’s stock grew significantly faster than IDXX’s over the last 12 months.
STE's Profit vs Risk Rating (84) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as IDXX (100). This means that STE’s stock grew similarly to IDXX’s over the last 12 months.
IDXX's SMR Rating (16) in the Medical Specialties industry is somewhat better than the same rating for STE (67). This means that IDXX’s stock grew somewhat faster than STE’s over the last 12 months.
IDXX's Price Growth Rating (58) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as STE (62). This means that IDXX’s stock grew similarly to STE’s over the last 12 months.
IDXX's P/E Growth Rating (69) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as STE (83). This means that IDXX’s stock grew similarly to STE’s over the last 12 months.
| IDXX | STE | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | 2 days ago 70% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 59% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 65% | 2 days ago 51% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 62% | 2 days ago 46% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 70% | 2 days ago 55% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 72% | 2 days ago 53% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 59% | 19 days ago 49% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 16 days ago 70% | 13 days ago 55% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 62% | 2 days ago 55% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 53% | N/A |
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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.