CODX vs QDEL

For growth investors, QuidelOrtho Corporation (QDEL) is the stronger pick with -1.

9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -84. 1% for Co-Diagnostics, Inc. (CODX). Analysts rate Co-Diagnostics, Inc. (CODX) a "Hold" — based on 5 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.

Over the past 5 years, Co-Diagnostics, Inc.

(CODX) delivered a total return of -66. 8%, compared to -90. 7% for QuidelOrtho Corporation (QDEL). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: QDEL returned -34. 6% versus CODX's -56. 5%. 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), Co-Diagnostics, Inc.

(CODX) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 17β versus QuidelOrtho Corporation's 2. 28β — meaning QDEL is approximately 96% more volatile than CODX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Co-Diagnostics, Inc. (CODX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 6% versus 146% for QuidelOrtho Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), QuidelOrtho Corporation (QDEL) is pulling ahead at -1.

9% versus -84. 1% for Co-Diagnostics, Inc. (CODX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: QuidelOrtho Corporation grew EPS 45. 4% year-over-year, compared to 5. 2% for Co-Diagnostics, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, QDEL leads at -5. 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.

QuidelOrtho Corporation (QDEL) is the more profitable company, earning -41.

5% net margin versus -75. 3% for Co-Diagnostics, Inc. — meaning it keeps -41. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: QDEL leads at -33. 7% versus -50. 3% for CODX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CODX leads at 64. 3%, 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.

Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CODX: 137.

2% to $6. 00.

None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.

All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Co-Diagnostics, Inc.

(CODX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 17)). QuidelOrtho Corporation (QDEL) carries a higher beta of 2. 28 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (CODX: -56. 5%, QDEL: -34. 6%), 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.

Both stocks operate in the Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

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.