STE vs IART vs HOLX vs MMSI vs BDX

For growth investors, Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

(MMSI) is the stronger pick with 11. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 5% for Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (IART). Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) offers the better valuation at 26. 3x trailing P/E (11. 9x 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, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) is the cheapest at 26.

3x versus STERIS plc at 34. 5x. On forward P/E, Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation is actually cheaper at 5. 8x — 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 STERIS plc's 3. 75x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) delivered a total return of +16.

9%, compared to -81. 7% for Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (IART). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: STE returned +211. 3% versus IART's -62. 0%. 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 Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation's 2. 39β — meaning IART is approximately 427% 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 195% for Integra LifeSciences Holdings 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. 5% for Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (IART). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: STERIS plc grew EPS 62. 7% year-over-year, compared to -73. 6% for Integra LifeSciences Holdings 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 -31. 6% for Integra LifeSciences Holdings 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 4. 2% for IART. 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, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 72x versus STERIS plc's 3. 75x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (IART) trades at 5. 8x forward P/E versus 20. 3x for STERIS plc — 14. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MMSI: 52. 4% to $95. 00.

In this comparison, BDX (2.

7% yield), STE (1. 0% yield) pay a dividend. IART, 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.

67), 1. 0% yield, +211. 3% 10Y return). Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (IART) carries a higher beta of 2. 39 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (STE: +211. 3%, IART: -62. 0%), 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, BDX pay a dividend while IART, 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.