STVN vs BDX

For growth investors, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) is the stronger pick with 8.

2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 3. 2% for Stevanato Group S. p. A. (STVN). Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) offers the better valuation at 26. 3x trailing P/E (12. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Stevanato Group S. p. A. (STVN) a "Buy" — based on 8 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 Stevanato Group S. p. A. at 31. 3x. On forward P/E, Becton, Dickinson and Company is actually cheaper at 12. 3x. 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. 74x versus Stevanato Group S. p. A. 's 2. 48x — 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 -7. 2% for Stevanato Group S. p. A. (STVN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: BDX returned +80. 2% versus STVN's -7. 2%. 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), Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

66β versus Stevanato Group S. p. A. 's 1. 45β — meaning STVN is approximately 121% more volatile than BDX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Stevanato Group S. p. A. (STVN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 32% versus 76% for Becton, Dickinson and Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) is pulling ahead at 8.

2% versus 3. 2% for Stevanato Group S. p. A. (STVN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Stevanato Group S. p. A. grew EPS 14. 0% year-over-year, compared to -0. 5% for Becton, Dickinson and Company. Over a 3-year CAGR, STVN leads at 5. 0% 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.

Stevanato Group S.

p. A. (STVN) is the more profitable company, earning 11. 8% net margin versus 7. 7% for Becton, Dickinson and Company — meaning it keeps 11. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: STVN leads at 16. 1% versus 11. 8% for BDX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — BDX leads at 45. 4%, 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. 74x versus Stevanato Group S. p. A. 's 2. 48x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) trades at 12. 3x forward P/E versus 29. 3x for Stevanato Group S. p. A. — 17. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for STVN: 35. 9% to $24. 50.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) offers the highest yield at 2. 7%, versus 0. 3% for Stevanato Group S. p. A. (STVN).

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.

66), 2. 7% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (BDX: +80. 2%, STVN: -7. 2%), 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 STVN does 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.