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IDXX vs STE
Which Stock Would AI Choose? IDEXX Laboratories (IDXX) vs. Steris (STE) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- IDEXX Laboratories (IDXX) is a high-margin animal-health diagnostics leader growing double digits, while Steris (STE) is a slower-growing, dividend-paying infection-prevention and sterilization company.
- IDXX has recently posted earnings beats and raised its 2026 outlook, whereas STE delivered a modest top- and bottom-line miss in its latest quarterly report.
- IDXX trades at a substantially higher valuation (a forward P/E, or price-to-earnings multiple, in the mid-30s) than STE (roughly 21 times earnings).
- STE offers a dividend and a defensive, recurring-revenue business model; IDXX returns capital primarily through share buybacks.
- Both names face real headwinds: softer veterinary visit volumes for IDXX and tariff and inflation pressures for STE.
Introduction
Investors weighing quality healthcare-adjacent growth often screen across very different business models, and IDXX and STE illustrate that contrast well. IDEXX Laboratories is a diagnostics and software company serving the veterinary and water-testing markets, prized for its recurring revenue and industry-leading margins. Steris is a global provider of sterilization, infection-prevention, and surgical products that supports hospitals and life-science customers. This stock comparison is relevant for traders and investors evaluating growth momentum versus defensive stability, and for anyone assessing how relative performance and market positioning have diverged across two mature healthcare franchises in recent weeks.
IDXX Overview and Recent Performance
IDEXX Laboratories develops and sells diagnostic instruments, consumables, reference-laboratory services, and cloud-based software, primarily for the companion-animal (pet) veterinary market, alongside smaller water-testing and livestock businesses. In recent market activity, the stock has benefited from consecutive quarterly earnings beats. In its most recent quarter, the company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $4.27, up 18% year over year, on revenue of about $1.22 billion, up 10%. Management raised its full-year 2026 EPS guidance and cited strong recurring diagnostics growth, an expanding premium instrument installed base, and momentum in its inVue Dx and Cancer Dx platforms.
Sentiment has been supported by margin expansion (gross margin of roughly 64% and operating margin of about 35%) and a leadership transition that keeps the company's innovation-led strategy intact. The primary overhang is softer U.S. veterinary traffic, with clinical and wellness visits declining modestly, which could pressure reference-laboratory demand. A rich valuation also leaves less room for error.
STE Overview and Recent Performance
Steris is a leading provider of infection-prevention and surgical products and services, organized across Healthcare, Applied Sterilization Technologies (AST), and Life Sciences segments. Its model emphasizes recurring service and consumable revenue tied to hospital procedure volumes. In its most recent quarter, Steris reported adjusted EPS of $2.83, up about 3% year over year, and revenue of $1.59 billion, up roughly 7%—results that modestly missed consensus estimates and prompted a dip in the shares. For its full fiscal year, revenue reached about $5.94 billion, up 8.8%, with adjusted EPS of $10.17.
Sentiment has been tempered by tariff and inflation headwinds, which compressed margins, and by softer AST service volumes tied to weather disruptions and cautious med-tech customer inventory management. Offsetting these concerns are a strong balance sheet, a 20th consecutive year of dividend growth, a new $1 billion buyback authorization, and fiscal 2027 guidance for 7–8% revenue growth and EPS of $11.10–$11.30.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
The two companies differ most sharply in business model and growth profile. IDXX is anchored in pet diagnostics, a structurally growing but discretionary-adjacent market where innovation (new tests and instruments) drives utilization. Steris is tied to non-discretionary hospital procedures and sterilization demand, offering steadier, more defensive revenue but slower organic growth (mid-single digits versus IDXX's roughly 8–10%).
On recent momentum, IDXX holds the edge, with back-to-back beats and upward guidance revisions, while STE posted a modest miss. On profitability, IDXX's margins (mid-60s gross, mid-30s operating) are far above Steris (mid-40s gross, low-20s operating). However, risk factors differ: IDXX faces weakening veterinary-visit trends and a premium multiple, while STE contends with tariffs, inflation, and inventory destocking among med-tech customers. On capital returns, Steris pays a dividend (yield around 1.3%) and repurchases shares, whereas IDXX focuses on buybacks. On valuation and sentiment, the market assigns IDXX a meaningfully higher multiple for faster growth, while Steris trades at a lower earnings multiple with a lower beta (a measure of volatility relative to the broader market).
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors, Tickeron's AI would likely lean toward IDXX in the current environment. The stock demonstrates more consistent trend strength, with consecutive earnings beats, expanding margins, and upward guidance revisions acting as near-term catalysts. That said, the assessment is probabilistic rather than definitive: IDXX's higher valuation and softer veterinary-traffic backdrop introduce downside sensitivity, while STE's dividend, defensive recurring revenue, and lower multiple make it a steadier, lower-volatility alternative. In relative-positioning terms, the AI would likely favor IDXX for momentum and growth consistency, while recognizing Steris as the more defensive holding.
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 Hold.
IDXX in upward trend: 10-day moving average crossed above 50-day moving average on October 21, 2026
The 10-day moving average for IDXX crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 21, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 18 of 22 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 82%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on November 02, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on IDXX as a result. In 56 of 93 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 60%.
IDXX moved above its 50-day moving average on October 15, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +21.92% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where IDXX advanced for three days, in 177 of 288 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 61%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator has been in the overbought zone for 1 day. Expect a price pull-back in the near future.
The Stochastic Oscillator has been in the overbought zone for 1 day. Expect a price pull-back in the near future.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where IDXX declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 69%.
IDXX broke above its upper Bollinger Band on November 02, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 11 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating outstanding price growth. IDXX’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 16 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 75 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 85 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 86 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (32.832) is normal, around the industry mean (65.986). P/E Ratio (46.963) is within average values for comparable stocks, (3.066). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (2.894) is also within normal values, averaging (3.473). Dividend Yield (0.000) settles around the average of (0.002) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (9.042) is also within normal values, averaging (9.775).
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 88 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. IDXX’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 85, placing this stock worse than average.
STE in upward trend: price rose above 50-day moving average on October 15, 2026
STE moved above its 50-day moving average on October 15, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend. In 27 of 43 similar past instances, the stock price increased further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 63%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 08, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on STE as a result. In 45 of 95 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 47%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for STE just turned positive on September 29, 2026. Looking at past instances where STE's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 24 of 46 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 52%.
The 10-day moving average for STE crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 22, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 10 of 17 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 59%.
Following a +1.60% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where STE advanced for three days, in 153 of 312 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 49%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 98 of 200 cases where STE Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 49%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for STE moved out of overbought territory on October 26, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 38 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 24 of the 38 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 63%.
The Stochastic Oscillator has been in the overbought zone for 1 day. Expect a price pull-back in the near future.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where STE declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 57%.
STE broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 22, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 35 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. STE’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 66 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 74 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (3.130) is normal, around the industry mean (4.170). P/E Ratio (28.145) is within average values for comparable stocks, (1.500). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.760) is also within normal values, averaging (11.253). Dividend Yield (0.012) settles around the average of (0.010) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (3.423) is also within normal values, averaging (40.124).
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 74 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 76 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. STE’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 95, placing this stock better than average.
IDXX | STE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 35 | 17 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 86 Overvalued | 74 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 88 | 76 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 16 | 66 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 11 | 35 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 75 | 74 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 85 | 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.
STE's Valuation (74) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as IDXX (86). This means that STE’s stock grew similarly to IDXX’s over the last 12 months.
STE's Profit vs Risk Rating (76) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as IDXX (88). 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 (66). This means that IDXX’s stock grew somewhat faster than STE’s over the last 12 months.
IDXX's Price Growth Rating (11) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as STE (35). This means that IDXX’s stock grew similarly to STE’s over the last 12 months.
STE's P/E Growth Rating (74) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as IDXX (75). This means that STE’s stock grew similarly to IDXX’s over the last 12 months.
| IDXX | STE | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 59% | 1 day ago 63% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 63% | 1 day ago 53% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 60% | 1 day ago 47% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | N/A | 6 days ago 52% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 61% | 1 day ago 52% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 53% | 1 day ago 47% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 61% | 6 days ago 49% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 28 days ago 69% | 8 days ago 57% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 74% | 1 day ago 67% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | N/A | 1 day ago 49% |
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 overvalued. 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 2 FA rating(s) are green while STE’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- IDXX’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- STE’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 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 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while STE’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- IDXX’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
- STE’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
IDXX (@Medical Specialties) experienced а +19.74% price change this week, while STE (@Medical/Nursing Services) price change was +1.25% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Medical Specialties industry was -2.30%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -5.24%, and the average quarterly price growth was +42.12%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Medical/Nursing Services industry was -2.01%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -7.51%, and the average quarterly price growth was -8.84%.
Reported Earning Dates
IDXX is expected to report earnings on Feb 08, 2027.
STE is expected to report earnings on Nov 04, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Medical Specialties (-2.30% 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 (-2.01% 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.
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IDXX and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, IDXX has been loosely correlated with ALGN. These tickers have moved in lockstep 50% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if IDXX jumps, then ALGN could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To IDXX | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IDXX | 100% | +0.06% | ||
| ALGN - IDXX | 50% Loosely correlated | -1.65% | ||
| SYK - IDXX | 48% Loosely correlated | +1.22% | ||
| BLCO - IDXX | 45% Loosely correlated | +0.10% | ||
| SNN - IDXX | 44% Loosely correlated | -0.23% | ||
| STE - IDXX | 40% Loosely correlated | -0.86% | ||
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