VREX vs HOLX

For growth investors, Varex Imaging Corporation (VREX) is the stronger pick with 4.

1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 7% for Hologic, Inc. (HOLX). Hologic, Inc. (HOLX) offers the better valuation at 30. 5x trailing P/E (17. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Varex Imaging Corporation (VREX) a "Buy" — based on 6 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 forward P/E, Varex Imaging Corporation is actually cheaper at 13.

9x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Hologic, Inc.

(HOLX) delivered a total return of +15. 8%, compared to -51. 8% for Varex Imaging Corporation (VREX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: HOLX returned +124. 3% versus VREX's -58. 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. 41β versus Varex Imaging Corporation's 1. 87β — meaning VREX is approximately 356% 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 83% for Varex Imaging Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Varex Imaging Corporation (VREX) is pulling ahead at 4.

1% versus 1. 7% for Hologic, Inc. (HOLX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Hologic, Inc. grew EPS -25. 0% year-over-year, compared to -45. 3% for Varex Imaging Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, VREX leads at -0. 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 -8. 3% for Varex Imaging 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 -3. 3% for VREX. 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.

On forward earnings alone, Varex Imaging Corporation (VREX) trades at 13.

9x forward P/E versus 17. 2x for Hologic, Inc. — 3. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for VREX: 22. 6% to $14. 50.

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, Hologic, Inc.

(HOLX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 41), +124. 3% 10Y return). Varex Imaging Corporation (VREX) carries a higher beta of 1. 87 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (HOLX: +124. 3%, VREX: -58. 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.

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.