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LH vs STE
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Labcorp Holdings Inc. (LH) vs. STERIS plc (STE) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- LH reported Q1 2026 revenue growth of 5.8% to $3.54 billion, beating estimates, with adjusted EPS of $4.25, prompting raised full-year guidance.
- STE delivered Q1 fiscal 2026 revenue up 9% to $1.4 billion, with adjusted EPS rising 15% to $2.34, supported by strong segment performance.
- Year-to-date, STE has gained about 18%, outperforming LH's modest 1.55% return amid broader market gains.
- Both stocks trade at comparable valuations with analyst targets suggesting upside: $310 for LH (22% potential) and $279 for STE (35% potential).
- LH benefits from diagnostics volume recovery and biopharma services, while STE leverages infection prevention demand in healthcare.
- Market sentiment favors stability in healthcare, with both showing resilience but differing sector exposures.
Introduction
This stock comparison examines LH (Labcorp Holdings Inc.), a leader in clinical laboratory diagnostics and biopharma services, against STE (STERIS plc), a global provider of infection prevention and sterilization solutions. Both operate in the healthcare sector but serve distinct niches: diagnostics and lab testing for LH, and medical device sterilization for STE. Traders seeking relative performance insights and investors eyeing defensive healthcare plays amid volatile markets will find value in analyzing their recent momentum, financial health, and growth drivers. This analysis draws on recent earnings, price action, and market positioning for a balanced view.
LH Overview and Recent Performance
Labcorp Holdings Inc. (LH) is a global leader in comprehensive laboratory services, operating through Diagnostics Laboratories and Biopharma Laboratory Services segments. It conducts over 700 million tests annually, supporting diagnostics, drug development, and patient care. In recent market activity, LH shares have traded in a 52-week range of $239.67 to $293.72, reflecting stability in healthcare demand. Q1 2026 results showed revenue of $3.54 billion (up 5.8% year-over-year), surpassing estimates by 0.9%, with adjusted EPS at $4.25 (beating by 3.3%). The company raised full-year revenue guidance to 5.0%-6.1% growth and adjusted EPS to $17.70-$18.35. Sentiment has been influenced by robust medical utilization, AI-driven efficiencies, and acquisitions totaling $202 million, though shares lag broader indices with YTD return of 1.55% and 1-year at 3.25%. Analysts maintain a positive outlook with a $310 target.
STE Overview and Recent Performance
STERIS plc (STE) specializes in infection prevention, contamination control, and surgical equipment solutions, serving healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and medtech. Its offerings include sterilization technologies and services critical for medical device safety. Recently, STE shares have navigated a 52-week range of $195.14 to $269.44, buoyed by steady demand. Fiscal Q1 2026 revenue rose 9% to $1.4 billion, with constant currency organic growth at 8%, and adjusted EPS increased 15% to $2.34. Key drivers include Applied Sterilization Technologies growth (13%) and resilient segment performance. The company updated fiscal 2026 outlook positively. Price behavior shows YTD gains of ~18% and 1-year return of 7.46%, outperforming peers amid healthcare tailwinds. Influences include dividend hikes to $0.63/share and board additions signaling strategic focus, with analysts targeting $279.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
LH and STE both anchor healthcare but diverge in models: LH’s volume-driven diagnostics face reimbursement pressures, while STE’s asset-light sterilization services offer recurring revenue stability. Growth drivers contrast—LH via biopharma labs and AI automation (recent Q1 beats), STE through medtech demand and organic expansion (9% revenue growth). Recent momentum favors STE (YTD +18% vs. LH +1.55%), but LH shows higher EPS scale ($11.28 TTM). Risk factors include regulatory changes for both; LH exposed to testing volumes, STE to supply chain tariffs. Sector exposure overlaps in healthcare (P/E 22.5x vs. 28.9x), with sentiment tilting toward STE’s defensive moat amid post-pandemic hygiene focus.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently leans toward STE based on superior recent trend consistency, higher YTD momentum, and stronger organic growth in a stable infection prevention niche. STE’s 9% revenue acceleration and 15% EPS gain signal better near-term catalysts versus LH’s steadier but slower diagnostics recovery. However, LH offers value at a lower P/E with biopharma upside. Probabilistic edge to STE for momentum traders, while LH suits stability seekers.
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 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 LH is a Buy 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).
LH’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileSTE’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- LH’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.
LH’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while STE’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- LH’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
- STE’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
LH (@Medical Specialties) experienced а -4.00% 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 +0.70%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +2.77%, and the average quarterly price growth was -3.13%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Medical/Nursing Services industry was +0.02%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -3.62%, and the average quarterly price growth was -16.07%.
Reported Earning Dates
LH is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 2026.
STE is expected to report earnings on Aug 10, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Medical Specialties (+0.70% 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 (+0.02% 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.
| LH | STE | LH / STE | |
| Capitalization | 20.9B | 19.5B | 107% |
| EBITDA | 2.06B | 1.59B | 129% |
| Gain YTD | 1.949 | -20.516 | -9% |
| P/E Ratio | 22.54 | 25.27 | 89% |
| Revenue | 14.1B | 5.94B | 238% |
| Total Cash | 981M | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 7.24B | 2.09B | 347% |
LH | STE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 55 | 68 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 1 Undervalued | 8 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 75 | 84 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 68 | 67 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 56 | 62 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 76 | 83 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 75 | 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.
LH's Valuation (1) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry is in the same range as STE (8) in the Medical Specialties industry. This means that LH’s stock grew similarly to STE’s over the last 12 months.
LH's Profit vs Risk Rating (75) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry is in the same range as STE (84) in the Medical Specialties industry. This means that LH’s stock grew similarly to STE’s over the last 12 months.
STE's SMR Rating (67) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as LH (68) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry. This means that STE’s stock grew similarly to LH’s over the last 12 months.
LH's Price Growth Rating (56) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry is in the same range as STE (62) in the Medical Specialties industry. This means that LH’s stock grew similarly to STE’s over the last 12 months.
LH's P/E Growth Rating (76) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry is in the same range as STE (83) in the Medical Specialties industry. This means that LH’s stock grew similarly to STE’s over the last 12 months.
| LH | STE | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | 2 days ago 70% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 57% | 2 days ago 59% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 51% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 65% | 2 days ago 46% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 52% | 2 days ago 55% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 50% | 2 days ago 53% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 19 days ago 56% | 19 days ago 49% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 53% | 13 days ago 55% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 40% | 2 days ago 55% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 53% | N/A |
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LH and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, LH has been closely correlated with DGX. These tickers have moved in lockstep 72% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if LH jumps, then DGX could also see price increases.