NDSN
Nordson Corporation
Industrial - Machinery
Market Cap$15.83B
5Y Perf.+50.9%
Compare Stocks
5 / 10Try these comparisons:
Stock Comparison
NDSN vs DHR vs EMR vs HON vs ROK
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
DHR
Danaher Corporation
Medical - Diagnostics & Research
Market Cap$124.33B
5Y Perf.+18.9%
EMR
Emerson Electric Co.
Industrial - Machinery
Market Cap$79.02B
5Y Perf.+131.2%
HON
Honeywell International Inc.
Conglomerates
Market Cap$136.91B
5Y Perf.+48.1%
ROK
Rockwell Automation, Inc.
Industrial - Machinery
Market Cap$50.37B
5Y Perf.+107.4%
NDSN vs DHR vs EMR vs HON vs ROK — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | NDSN | DHR | EMR | HON | ROK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Industrial - Machinery | Medical - Diagnostics & Research | Industrial - Machinery | Conglomerates | Industrial - Machinery |
| Market Cap | $15.83B | $124.33B | $79.02B | $136.91B | $50.37B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.85B | $24.78B | $18.32B | $36.76B | $8.80B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $523M | $3.69B | $2.44B | $4.10B | $1.09B |
| Gross Margin | 55.2% | 60.7% | 52.7% | 36.9% | 52.5% |
| Operating Margin | 25.9% | 21.0% | 19.8% | 14.9% | 19.1% |
| Forward P/E | 24.9x | 20.8x | 21.7x | 20.5x | 36.9x |
| Total Debt | $2.09B | $18.42B | $13.76B | $34.58B | $3.65B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $108M | $4.62B | $1.54B | $12.49B | $468M |
NDSN vs DHR vs EMR vs HON vs ROK — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
NDSN
DHR
EMR
HON
ROK
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nordson Corporation (NDSN) | 100 | 150.9 | +50.9% |
| Danaher Corporation (DHR) | 100 | 118.9 | +18.9% |
| Emerson Electric Co. (EMR) | 100 | 231.2 | +131.2% |
| Honeywell Internati… (HON) | 100 | 148.1 | +48.1% |
| Rockwell Automation… (ROK) | 100 | 207.4 | +107.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: NDSN vs DHR vs EMR vs HON vs ROK
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: NDSN and HON are tied at the top with 3 categories each (5-stock set) — the right choice depends on your priorities. Honeywell International Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and capital preservation and lower volatility. ROK also leads in specific categories worth noting. This set spans 2 sectors — these stocks serve different portfolio roles, not just different price points.
NDSN
Nordson Corporation
The Growth Play
NDSN carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and valuation efficiency.
- Rev growth 3.8%, EPS growth 4.9%, 3Y rev CAGR 2.5%
- PEG 1.68 vs DHR's 34.35
- Lower P/E (24.9x vs 36.9x)
- 18.4% margin vs HON's 11.2%
Best for: growth exposure and valuation efficiency
DHR
Danaher Corporation
The Defensive Pick
DHR is the clearest fit if your priority is sleep-well-at-night.
- Lower volatility, beta 0.94, Low D/E 35.1%, current ratio 1.87x
Best for: sleep-well-at-night
EMR
Emerson Electric Co.
The Quality Angle
Among these 5 stocks, EMR doesn't own a clear edge in any measured category.
Best for: industrials exposure
HON
Honeywell International Inc.
The Income Pick
HON is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if income & stability and defensive is your priority.
- Dividend streak 15 yrs, beta 0.74, yield 2.1%
- Beta 0.74, yield 2.1%, current ratio 1.32x
- 7.8% revenue growth vs ROK's 1.0%
- Beta 0.74 vs EMR's 1.52
Best for: income & stability and defensive
ROK
Rockwell Automation, Inc.
The Long-Run Compounder
ROK ranks third and is worth considering specifically for long-term compounding.
- 341.0% 10Y total return vs NDSN's 298.2%
- +60.2% vs DHR's -8.3%
Best for: long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | HON | 7.8% revenue growth vs ROK's 1.0% |
| Value | NDSN | Lower P/E (24.9x vs 36.9x) |
| Quality / Margins | NDSN | 18.4% margin vs HON's 11.2% |
| Stability / Safety | HON | Beta 0.74 vs EMR's 1.52 |
| Dividends | HON | 2.1% yield, 15-year raise streak, vs EMR's 1.5% |
| Momentum (1Y) | ROK | +60.2% vs DHR's -8.3% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | NDSN | 10.2% ROA vs DHR's 4.5%, ROIC 10.5% vs 5.9% |
NDSN vs DHR vs EMR vs HON vs ROK — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2024
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
NDSN vs DHR vs EMR vs HON vs ROK — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 5 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLROKLAGGINGEMR
Who Leads Where
ROK leads in 2 of 6 categories
NDSN leads 1 • HON leads 1 • DHR leads 0 • EMR leads 0 • 2 tied
Explore the data ↓EMREmerson Electric Co.
0leads
DHRDanaher Corporation
0leads
HONHoneywell Internation…
1leads
NDSNNordson Corporation
1leads
ROKRockwell Automation, …
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs NDSNvs HONMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
NDSN4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
HON3/7
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
ROK4/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
ROK3/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NDSN leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
HON is the larger business by revenue, generating $36.8B annually — 12.9x NDSN's $2.8B. NDSN is the more profitable business, keeping 18.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to HON's 11.2%. On growth, ROK holds the edge at +11.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | NDSNNordson Corporati… | DHRDanaher Corporati… | EMREmerson Electric … | HONHoneywell Interna… | ROKRockwell Automati… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.8B | $24.8B | $18.3B | $36.8B | $8.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $851M | $7.2B | $4.7B | $6.5B | $1.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $523M | $3.7B | $2.4B | $4.1B | $1.1B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $646M | $5.3B | $3.1B | $4.2B | $1.3B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +55.2% | +60.7% | +52.7% | +36.9% | +52.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +25.9% | +21.0% | +19.8% | +14.9% | +19.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +18.4% | +14.9% | +13.3% | +11.2% | +12.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +22.7% | +21.4% | +17.0% | +11.4% | +15.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +8.8% | +3.7% | +2.9% | -6.9% | +11.8% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +44.2% | +9.8% | +28.2% | -41.9% | +39.6% |
NDSN leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
HON leads this category, winning 3 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 29.4x trailing earnings, HON trades at a 50% valuation discount to ROK's 58.5x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), NDSN offers better value at 2.26x vs DHR's 34.35x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | NDSNNordson Corporati… | DHRDanaher Corporati… | EMREmerson Electric … | HONHoneywell Interna… | ROKRockwell Automati… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $15.8B | $124.3B | $79.0B | $136.9B | $50.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $17.8B | $138.1B | $91.2B | $159.0B | $53.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 33.39x | 34.85x | 34.92x | 29.36x | 58.45x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 24.86x | 20.82x | 21.71x | 20.52x | 36.93x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 2.26x | 34.35x | 7.73x | 15.99x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 20.66x | 18.21x | 18.07x | 19.99x | 30.64x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 5.67x | 5.06x | 4.39x | 3.66x | 6.04x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 5.31x | 2.38x | 3.94x | 9.00x | 13.66x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 23.94x | 23.64x | 29.63x | 25.39x | 37.09x |
HON leads this category, winning 3 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ROK leads this category, winning 4 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ROK delivers a 29.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $30 in annual profit, vs $7 for DHR. DHR carries lower financial leverage with a 0.35x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to HON's 2.24x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), ROK scores 8/9 vs HON's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | NDSNNordson Corporati… | DHRDanaher Corporati… | EMREmerson Electric … | HONHoneywell Interna… | ROKRockwell Automati… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +16.8% | +7.1% | +12.1% | +23.1% | +29.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +10.2% | +4.5% | +5.8% | +5.3% | +9.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +10.5% | +5.9% | +8.2% | +12.6% | +15.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +13.4% | +7.0% | +10.0% | +12.6% | +18.5% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.69x | 0.35x | 0.68x | 2.24x | 0.98x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $2.0B | $13.8B | $12.2B | $22.1B | $3.2B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $108M | $4.6B | $1.5B | $12.5B | $468M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.1B | $18.4B | $13.8B | $34.6B | $3.6B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 7.44x | 18.13x | 6.46x | 3.92x | 9.06x |
ROK leads this category, winning 4 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ROK leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ROK five years ago would be worth $17,462 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $7,893 for DHR. Over the past 12 months, ROK leads with a +60.2% total return vs DHR's -8.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors EMR at 20.7% vs DHR's -5.5% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | NDSNNordson Corporati… | DHRDanaher Corporati… | EMREmerson Electric … | HONHoneywell Interna… | ROKRockwell Automati… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +18.2% | -23.6% | +4.3% | +10.9% | +12.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +51.8% | -8.3% | +30.4% | +2.8% | +60.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +34.5% | -15.5% | +75.9% | +16.2% | +65.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +42.4% | -21.1% | +59.5% | +3.3% | +74.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +298.2% | +219.3% | +206.6% | +135.1% | +341.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +10.4% | -5.5% | +20.7% | +5.1% | +18.2% |
ROK leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — HON and ROK each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
HON is the less volatile stock with a 0.74 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than EMR's 1.52 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. ROK currently trades 96.7% from its 52-week high vs DHR's 72.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | NDSNNordson Corporati… | DHRDanaher Corporati… | EMREmerson Electric … | HONHoneywell Interna… | ROKRockwell Automati… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.05x | 0.94x | 1.52x | 0.74x | 1.33x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $305.28 | $242.80 | $165.15 | $248.18 | $463.49 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $188.22 | $172.06 | $108.37 | $186.76 | $277.66 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +93.1% | +72.3% | +85.4% | +87.1% | +96.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 59.3 | 33.0 | 61.3 | 45.1 | 74.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 306K | 4.2M | 2.8M | 3.7M | 831K |
Evenly matched — HON and ROK each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — NDSN and EMR and HON each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: NDSN as "Buy", DHR as "Buy", EMR as "Buy", HON as "Buy", ROK as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 40.6% upside for DHR (target: $247) vs -2.6% for ROK (target: $437). For income investors, HON offers the higher dividend yield at 2.14% vs DHR's 0.70%.
| Metric | NDSNNordson Corporati… | DHRDanaher Corporati… | EMREmerson Electric … | HONHoneywell Interna… | ROKRockwell Automati… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy | Buy | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $311.50 | $247.00 | $161.92 | $243.83 | $436.56 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 20 | 42 | 41 | 28 | 39 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.1% | +0.7% | +1.5% | +2.1% | +1.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 37 | 1 | 37 | 15 | 20 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $3.15 | $1.23 | $2.10 | $4.63 | $5.23 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.9% | +2.5% | +1.6% | +2.8% | +0.8% |
Evenly matched — NDSN and EMR and HON each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
ROK leads in 2 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). NDSN leads in 1 (Income & Cash Flow). 2 tied.
Best OverallRockwell Automation, Inc. (ROK)Leads 2 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
NDSN vs DHR vs EMR vs HON vs ROK: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is NDSN or DHR or EMR or HON or ROK a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Honeywell International Inc.
(HON) is the stronger pick with 7. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 0% for Rockwell Automation, Inc. (ROK). Honeywell International Inc. (HON) offers the better valuation at 29. 4x trailing P/E (20. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Nordson Corporation (NDSN) a "Buy" — based on 20 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.
02Which has the better valuation — NDSN or DHR or EMR or HON or ROK?
On trailing P/E, Honeywell International Inc.
(HON) is the cheapest at 29. 4x versus Rockwell Automation, Inc. at 58. 5x. On forward P/E, Honeywell International Inc. is actually cheaper at 20. 5x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Nordson Corporation wins at 1. 68x versus Danaher Corporation's 34. 35x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.
03Which is the better long-term investment — NDSN or DHR or EMR or HON or ROK?
Over the past 5 years, Rockwell Automation, Inc.
(ROK) delivered a total return of +74. 6%, compared to -21. 1% for Danaher Corporation (DHR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ROK returned +341. 0% versus HON's +135. 1%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — NDSN or DHR or EMR or HON or ROK?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Honeywell International Inc.
(HON) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 74β versus Emerson Electric Co. 's 1. 52β — meaning EMR is approximately 105% more volatile than HON relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Danaher Corporation (DHR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 35% versus 2% for Honeywell International Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — NDSN or DHR or EMR or HON or ROK?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Honeywell International Inc.
(HON) is pulling ahead at 7. 8% versus 1. 0% for Rockwell Automation, Inc. (ROK). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Emerson Electric Co. grew EPS 17. 8% year-over-year, compared to -15. 5% for Honeywell International Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, EMR leads at 9. 3% 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.
06Which has better profit margins — NDSN or DHR or EMR or HON or ROK?
Nordson Corporation (NDSN) is the more profitable company, earning 17.
4% net margin versus 10. 4% for Rockwell Automation, Inc. — meaning it keeps 17. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NDSN leads at 25. 5% versus 17. 1% for ROK. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — DHR leads at 60. 9%, 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.
07Is NDSN or DHR or EMR or HON or ROK more undervalued right now?
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, Nordson Corporation (NDSN) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 68x versus Danaher Corporation's 34. 35x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Honeywell International Inc. (HON) trades at 20. 5x forward P/E versus 36. 9x for Rockwell Automation, Inc. — 16. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for DHR: 40. 6% to $247. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — NDSN or DHR or EMR or HON or ROK?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Honeywell International Inc. (HON) offers the highest yield at 2. 1%, versus 0. 7% for Danaher Corporation (DHR).
09Is NDSN or DHR or EMR or HON or ROK better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Honeywell International Inc.
(HON) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 74), 2. 1% yield, +135. 1% 10Y return). Emerson Electric Co. (EMR) carries a higher beta of 1. 52 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (HON: +135. 1%, EMR: +206. 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.
10What are the main differences between NDSN and DHR and EMR and HON and ROK?
These companies operate in different sectors (NDSN (Industrials) and DHR (Healthcare) and EMR (Industrials) and HON (Industrials) and ROK (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
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.
Find Stocks Like These
Explore pre-built screens for each stock's profile, or build a custom screen to find stocks that outperform all of them.
Revenue Growth>
%
(NDSN: 8.8% · DHR: 3.7%)Net Margin>
%
(NDSN: 18.4% · DHR: 14.9%)P/E Ratio<
x
(NDSN: 33.4x · DHR: 34.9x)You Might Also Compare
Based on how these companies actually compete and overlap — not just which sector they're filed under.