STE vs CNMD vs HOLX vs MMSI

For growth investors, Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

(MMSI) is the stronger pick with 11. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 7% for Hologic, Inc. (HOLX). CONMED Corporation (CNMD) offers the better valuation at 25. 2x trailing P/E (8. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate STERIS plc (STE) a "Buy" — based on 13 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, CONMED Corporation (CNMD) is the cheapest at 25.

2x versus STERIS plc at 34. 5x. On forward P/E, CONMED Corporation is actually cheaper at 8. 7x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: CONMED Corporation wins at 0. 24x versus STERIS plc's 3. 86x — 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 +15. 8%, compared to -71. 0% for CONMED Corporation (CNMD). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: STE returned +220. 0% versus CNMD's +6. 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. 41β versus CONMED Corporation's 1. 34β — meaning CNMD is approximately 225% more volatile than HOLX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, STERIS plc (STE) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 33% versus 81% for CONMED Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

(MMSI) is pulling ahead at 11. 7% versus 1. 7% for Hologic, Inc. (HOLX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: STERIS plc grew EPS 62. 7% year-over-year, compared to -64. 6% for CONMED Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, MMSI leads at 9. 6% 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.

Hologic, Inc.

(HOLX) is the more profitable company, earning 13. 8% net margin versus 3. 4% for CONMED Corporation — meaning it keeps 13. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: HOLX leads at 17. 4% versus 10. 3% for CNMD. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — HOLX leads at 61. 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, CONMED Corporation (CNMD) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 24x versus STERIS plc's 3. 86x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, CONMED Corporation (CNMD) trades at 8. 7x forward P/E versus 21. 0x for STERIS plc — 12. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CNMD: 104. 8% to $78. 00.

In this comparison, CNMD (2.

1% yield), STE (1. 0% yield) pay a dividend. HOLX, MMSI do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

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

69), 1. 0% yield, +220. 0% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (STE: +220. 0%, CNMD: +6. 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.

STE, CNMD pay a dividend while HOLX, MMSI 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.