NVST vs HSIC

For growth investors, Envista Holdings Corp (NVST) is the stronger pick with 8.

3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 0% for Henry Schein, Inc. (HSIC). Henry Schein, Inc. (HSIC) offers the better valuation at 21. 6x trailing P/E (13. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Envista Holdings Corp (NVST) a "Hold" — 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, Henry Schein, Inc.

(HSIC) is the cheapest at 21. 6x versus Envista Holdings Corp at 86. 7x. On forward P/E, Henry Schein, Inc. is actually cheaper at 13. 3x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Henry Schein, Inc. wins at 4. 21x versus Envista Holdings Corp's 11. 53x.

Over the past 5 years, Henry Schein, Inc.

(HSIC) delivered a total return of -12. 5%, compared to -46. 6% for Envista Holdings Corp (NVST). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: HSIC returned +5. 3% versus NVST's -13. 1%. 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), Henry Schein, Inc.

(HSIC) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 73β versus Envista Holdings Corp's 1. 65β — meaning NVST is approximately 125% more volatile than HSIC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Envista Holdings Corp (NVST) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 55% versus 77% for Henry Schein, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Envista Holdings Corp (NVST) is pulling ahead at 8.

3% versus 4. 0% for Henry Schein, Inc. (HSIC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Envista Holdings Corp grew EPS 104. 3% year-over-year, compared to 7. 2% for Henry Schein, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, NVST leads at 1. 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.

Henry Schein, Inc.

(HSIC) is the more profitable company, earning 3. 0% net margin versus 1. 7% for Envista Holdings Corp — meaning it keeps 3. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NVST leads at 8. 3% versus 5. 7% for HSIC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NVST leads at 55. 0%, 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, Henry Schein, Inc. (HSIC) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 4. 21x versus Envista Holdings Corp's 11. 53x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Henry Schein, Inc. (HSIC) trades at 13. 3x forward P/E versus 17. 2x for Envista Holdings Corp — 3. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for HSIC: 22. 6% to $86. 43.

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, Henry Schein, Inc.

(HSIC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 73)). Envista Holdings Corp (NVST) carries a higher beta of 1. 65 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (HSIC: +5. 3%, NVST: -13. 1%), 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.