QDEL vs HOLX vs BDX vs IDXX

For growth investors, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.

(IDXX) is the stronger pick with 10. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -1. 9% for QuidelOrtho Corporation (QDEL). Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) offers the better valuation at 25. 6x trailing P/E (11. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (IDXX) a "Buy" — based on 22 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, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) is the cheapest at 25.

6x versus IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. at 42. 8x. On forward P/E, QuidelOrtho Corporation is actually cheaper at 6. 0x — 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. 72x versus IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. 's 2. 68x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Hologic, Inc.

(HOLX) delivered a total return of +16. 8%, compared to -90. 7% for QuidelOrtho Corporation (QDEL). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: IDXX returned +542. 3% versus QDEL's -34. 6%. 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), Hologic, Inc.

(HOLX) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 45β versus QuidelOrtho Corporation's 2. 28β — meaning QDEL is approximately 403% more volatile than HOLX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Hologic, Inc. (HOLX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 52% versus 146% for QuidelOrtho Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.

(IDXX) is pulling ahead at 10. 4% versus -1. 9% for QuidelOrtho Corporation (QDEL). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: QuidelOrtho Corporation grew EPS 45. 4% year-over-year, compared to -25. 0% for Hologic, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, IDXX leads at 8. 5% 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.

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.

(IDXX) is the more profitable company, earning 24. 6% net margin versus -41. 5% for QuidelOrtho Corporation — meaning it keeps 24. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: IDXX leads at 31. 6% versus -33. 7% for QDEL. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — IDXX leads at 61. 8%, 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. 72x versus IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. 's 2. 68x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, QuidelOrtho Corporation (QDEL) trades at 6. 0x forward P/E versus 38. 3x for IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. — 32. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for IDXX: 33. 5% to $747. 50.

In this comparison, BDX (2.

8% yield) pays a dividend. QDEL, HOLX, IDXX do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

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

62), 2. 8% yield). 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 (BDX: +76. 4%, 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.

BDX pays a dividend while QDEL, HOLX, IDXX 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.