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DHR or LH or STE
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Danaher Corporation (DHR) vs. Labcorp Holdings (LH) vs. STERIS plc (STE) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- DHR leads YTD performance at +25.07% but trades at a premium P/E of 33.23, supported by strategic acquisitions like Masimo enhancing diagnostics.
- LH offers value with a lower P/E of 22.53, recent Q1 earnings beat driving positive sentiment amid AI-driven growth in diagnostics.
- STE shows solid YTD gains of +17.96%, with upcoming Q4 earnings and dividend hike signaling stability in infection prevention.
- All three stocks operate in healthcare but diverge in focus: DHR on biotech/life sciences, LH on lab services, STE on sterilization.
- Recent market activity reflects sector resilience, with DHR and STE outperforming broader indices YTD versus S&P 500's +8.08%.
- Valuation sensitivity favors LH for value-oriented investors, while growth catalysts position DHR ahead.
Introduction
This stock comparison examines DHR, LH, and STE, three leaders in the healthcare sector focused on diagnostics, laboratory services, and infection prevention. These companies benefit from rising demand for advanced medical technologies amid aging populations and biopharma innovation. Traders seeking momentum in recent market uptrends and investors eyeing relative performance in life sciences will find value in analyzing their business models, recent momentum, and positioning. With healthcare stocks showing resilience, this head-to-head highlights contrasts in growth drivers, valuations, and sentiment shifts for informed decision-making in today's environment.
DHR Overview and Recent Performance
Danaher Corporation (DHR) is a global science and technology innovator operating in biotechnology, life sciences, and diagnostics segments. It provides instruments, consumables, and services for therapeutics development, including mass spectrometers, flow cytometry, and clinical diagnostics under brands like Beckman Coulter and SCIEX. In recent weeks, DHR shares have navigated volatility, closing at $171.16 amid a 52-week range of $170.74–$242.80. YTD return stands at +25.07%, outperforming the S&P 500, though 1-year gains lag at +11.54%. Sentiment has been bolstered by Q1 revenue of $5.95 billion and the Masimo acquisition approval, enhancing diagnostics capabilities despite one-time charges. Analyst price targets average $250.14, reflecting confidence in portfolio focus and earnings quality.
LH Overview and Recent Performance
Labcorp Holdings Inc. (LH), formerly Laboratory Corporation of America, leads in comprehensive laboratory services via Diagnostics Laboratories and Biopharma segments. It conducts blood chemistry, urinalyses, genetic testing, and drug development support for physicians, hospitals, and pharma firms. Recent market activity saw LH at $254.12, within a 52-week range of $239.67–$293.72. YTD return is +1.55% with 1-year at +3.25%, trailing broader markets but gaining on Q1 earnings beat (revenue $3.54B, EPS +4.25 vs. +4.12 est.). AI automation and a new FDA-approved companion diagnostic have lifted sentiment, with shares rising pre-market post-earnings and targets at $310.06.
STE Overview and Recent Performance
STERIS plc (STE) specializes in infection prevention across Healthcare, Applied Sterilization Technologies (AST), and Life Sciences segments, offering sterilizers, endoscope systems, and contract services for medical devices and pharma. Recent weeks positioned STE at $207.45 (52-week: $195.14–$269.44), with YTD +17.96% beating S&P but 1-year +7.46% lagging. A $0.63 dividend and board addition signal stability ahead of Q4 earnings (exp. revenue $1.60B, EPS $2.89). Performance reflects steady demand in sterile processing, though recent dips tie to broader sector pressures.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
DHR, LH, and STE share healthcare exposure but differ in models: DHR's diversified biotech/life sciences drive higher growth (YTD +25%) via M&A (e.g., Masimo), contrasting LH's lab-focused stability and STE's niche sterilization services. Recent momentum favors DHR and STE YTD, but LH edges valuation (P/E 22.53 vs. DHR 33.23, STE 28.89). Risk factors include biopharma funding for DHR, reimbursement for LH, and procedure volumes for STE. Market sentiment tilts growth toward DHR, value to LH.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors DHR due to superior trend consistency, YTD outperformance, and catalysts like the Masimo deal positioning it strongly in high-growth biotech/diagnostics. While LH offers attractive valuation and STE stability, DHR's relative positioning suggests higher probability of near-term upside based on observable momentum and analyst targets.
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
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).
DHR’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileLH’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s), and STE’s FA Score reflects 1 green FA rating(s).
- DHR’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- 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.
DHR’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while LH’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s), and STE’s TA Score reflects 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- DHR’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- LH’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- STE’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
DHR (@Medical Specialties) experienced а +0.89% price change this week, while LH (@Medical Specialties) price change was +1.96% , and STE (@Medical/Nursing Services) price fluctuated -0.18% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Medical Specialties industry was -3.28%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +13.41%, and the average quarterly price growth was -7.34%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Medical/Nursing Services industry was -1.83%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +0.22%, and the average quarterly price growth was -16.42%.
Reported Earning Dates
DHR is expected to report earnings on Jul 28, 2026.
LH is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 2026.
STE is expected to report earnings on Aug 10, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Medical Specialties (-3.28% 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 (-1.83% 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.
| DHR | LH | STE | |
| Capitalization | 130B | 21.4B | 20.7B |
| EBITDA | 7.08B | 2.06B | 1.49B |
| Gain YTD | -19.320 | 6.244 | -16.026 |
| P/E Ratio | 35.72 | 23.49 | 26.78 |
| Revenue | 24.8B | 14.1B | 5.83B |
| Total Cash | 5.7B | 2.04B | 424M |
| Total Debt | 18.5B | 6.53B | 2.05B |
DHR | LH | STE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 27 | 17 | 32 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 8 Undervalued | 1 Undervalued | 9 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 71 | 87 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 81 | 68 | 70 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 57 | 54 | 61 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 55 | 71 | 82 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 21 | 85 | 65 |
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 DHR (8) in the Medical Specialties industry, and is in the same range as STE (9) in the Medical Specialties industry. This means that LH's stock grew similarly to DHR’s and similarly to STE’s over the last 12 months.
LH's Profit vs Risk Rating (71) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry is in the same range as STE (87) in the Medical Specialties industry, and is in the same range as DHR (100) in the Medical Specialties industry. This means that LH's stock grew similarly to STE’s and similarly to DHR’s over the last 12 months.
LH's SMR Rating (68) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry is in the same range as STE (70) in the Medical Specialties industry, and is in the same range as DHR (81) in the Medical Specialties industry. This means that LH's stock grew similarly to STE’s and similarly to DHR’s over the last 12 months.
LH's Price Growth Rating (54) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry is in the same range as DHR (57) in the Medical Specialties industry, and is in the same range as STE (61) in the Medical Specialties industry. This means that LH's stock grew similarly to DHR’s and similarly to STE’s over the last 12 months.
DHR's P/E Growth Rating (55) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as LH (71) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry, and is in the same range as STE (82) in the Medical Specialties industry. This means that DHR's stock grew similarly to LH’s and similarly to STE’s over the last 12 months.
| DHR | LH | STE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 75% | 2 days ago 70% | 2 days ago 59% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 55% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 57% | 2 days ago 62% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 51% | 2 days ago 68% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 56% | 2 days ago 56% | 2 days ago 55% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 54% | 2 days ago 51% | 2 days ago 53% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 54% | 2 days ago 56% | 2 days ago 49% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 61% | 6 days ago 54% | 5 days ago 55% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 53% | 2 days ago 57% | 2 days ago 52% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | N/A | 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 71% 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.
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.