ALOT vs ZBH

For growth investors, Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

(ZBH) is the stronger pick with 7. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 2. 2% for AstroNova, Inc. (ALOT). Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (ZBH) offers the better valuation at 23. 5x trailing P/E (9. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate AstroNova, Inc. (ALOT) a "Buy" — based on 1 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On forward P/E, Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

is actually cheaper at 9. 8x.

Over the past 5 years, AstroNova, Inc.

(ALOT) delivered a total return of -5. 5%, compared to -47. 3% for Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (ZBH). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ALOT returned +2. 3% versus ZBH's -17. 8%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), AstroNova, Inc.

(ALOT) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 52β versus Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. 's 0. 65β — meaning ZBH is approximately 25% more volatile than ALOT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (ZBH) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 59% versus 64% for AstroNova, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

(ZBH) is pulling ahead at 7. 2% versus 2. 2% for AstroNova, Inc. (ALOT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. grew EPS -19. 9% year-over-year, compared to -406. 3% for AstroNova, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ALOT leads at 8. 8% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

(ZBH) is the more profitable company, earning 8. 6% net margin versus -9. 6% for AstroNova, Inc. — meaning it keeps 8. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ZBH leads at 16. 5% versus -5. 7% for ALOT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ZBH leads at 61. 6%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

On forward earnings alone, Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

(ZBH) trades at 9. 8x forward P/E versus 22. 0x for AstroNova, Inc. — 12. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.

In this comparison, ZBH (1.

1% yield) pays a dividend. ALOT does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

(ZBH) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 65), 1. 1% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ZBH: -17. 8%, ALOT: +2. 3%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

These companies operate in different sectors (ALOT (Technology) and ZBH (Healthcare)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

ZBH pays a dividend while ALOT does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.