IRTC vs BDX vs BSX vs MDT

For growth investors, iRhythm Technologies, Inc.

(IRTC) is the stronger pick with 26. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 3. 6% for Medtronic plc (MDT). Medtronic plc (MDT) offers the better valuation at 21. 6x trailing P/E (14. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate iRhythm Technologies, Inc. (IRTC) a "Buy" — based on 19 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 trailing P/E, Medtronic plc (MDT) is the cheapest at 21.

6x versus Boston Scientific Corporation at 29. 2x. On forward P/E, Becton, Dickinson and Company is actually cheaper at 12. 3x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Becton, Dickinson and Company wins at 0. 74x versus Medtronic plc's 36. 00x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, iRhythm Technologies, Inc.

(IRTC) delivered a total return of +56. 1%, compared to -27. 7% for Medtronic plc (MDT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: IRTC returned +379. 3% versus MDT's +26. 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), Boston Scientific Corporation (BSX) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

34β versus iRhythm Technologies, Inc. 's 0. 93β — meaning IRTC is approximately 171% more volatile than BSX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Boston Scientific Corporation (BSX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 51% versus 5% for iRhythm Technologies, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), iRhythm Technologies, Inc.

(IRTC) is pulling ahead at 26. 2% versus 3. 6% for Medtronic plc (MDT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: iRhythm Technologies, Inc. grew EPS 61. 7% year-over-year, compared to -0. 5% for Becton, Dickinson and Company. Over a 3-year CAGR, IRTC leads at 22. 1% 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.

Boston Scientific Corporation (BSX) is the more profitable company, earning 14.

4% net margin versus -6. 0% for iRhythm Technologies, Inc. — meaning it keeps 14. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: BSX leads at 19. 8% versus -4. 9% for IRTC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — IRTC leads at 70. 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 74x versus Medtronic plc's 36. 00x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) trades at 12. 3x forward P/E versus 16. 7x for Boston Scientific Corporation — 4. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for BSX: 61. 4% to $91. 33.

In this comparison, MDT (3.

6% yield), BDX (2. 7% yield) pay a dividend. IRTC, BSX do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Medtronic plc (MDT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

47), 3. 6% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MDT: +26. 5%, IRTC: +379. 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.

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

In terms of investment character: IRTC is a small-cap high-growth stock; BDX is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; BSX is a mid-cap high-growth stock; MDT is a mid-cap income-oriented stock. BDX, MDT pay a dividend while IRTC, BSX do 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.