MDT vs ZBH

For growth investors, Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

(ZBH) is the stronger pick with 7. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 3. 6% for Medtronic plc (MDT). Medtronic plc (MDT) offers the better valuation at 21. 1x trailing P/E (13. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Medtronic plc (MDT) a "Buy" — based on 49 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.

1x versus Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. at 23. 2x. On forward P/E, Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. is actually cheaper at 9. 7x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Medtronic plc (MDT) delivered a total return of -29.

2%, compared to -47. 8% for Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (ZBH). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MDT returned +24. 3% versus ZBH's -18. 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), Medtronic plc (MDT) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

42β versus Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. 's 0. 60β — meaning ZBH is approximately 41% more volatile than MDT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Medtronic plc (MDT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 59% versus 59% for Zimmer Biomet Holdings, 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 3. 6% for Medtronic plc (MDT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Medtronic plc grew EPS 30. 8% year-over-year, compared to -19. 9% for Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ZBH leads at 5. 9% 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.

Medtronic plc (MDT) is the more profitable company, earning 13.

9% net margin versus 8. 6% for Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. — meaning it keeps 13. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MDT leads at 17. 8% versus 16. 5% for ZBH. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MDT leads at 65. 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.

On forward earnings alone, Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

(ZBH) trades at 9. 7x forward P/E versus 13. 8x for Medtronic plc — 4. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MDT: 43. 8% to $109. 50.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Medtronic plc (MDT) offers the highest yield at 3. 7%, versus 1. 2% for Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (ZBH).

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.

42), 3. 7% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MDT: +24. 3%, ZBH: -18. 8%), 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: MDT is a mid-cap income-oriented stock; ZBH is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. 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.