STERIS (STE) Competitors

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) and STERIS (NYSE:STE) are both large-cap medical companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, dividends, profitability and media sentiment.

Does the media refer more to BDX or STE?

In the previous week, Becton, Dickinson and Company had 3 more articles in the media than STERIS. MarketBeat recorded 27 mentions for Becton, Dickinson and Company and 24 mentions for STERIS. STERIS's average media sentiment score of 0.65 beat Becton, Dickinson and Company's score of 0.53 indicating that STERIS is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Becton, Dickinson and Company	15 Very Positive mention(s)	1 Positive mention(s)	5 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	1 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive
STERIS	11 Very Positive mention(s)	1 Positive mention(s)	3 Neutral mention(s)	2 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive

Do institutionals and insiders believe in BDX or STE?

87.0% of Becton, Dickinson and Company shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 94.7% of STERIS shares are held by institutional investors. 0.4% of Becton, Dickinson and Company shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.1% of STERIS shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Is BDX or STE a better dividend stock?

Becton, Dickinson and Company pays an annual dividend of $4.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.3%. STERIS pays an annual dividend of $2.28 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.0%. Becton, Dickinson and Company pays out 79.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. STERIS pays out 36.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Becton, Dickinson and Company has raised its dividend for 53 consecutive years and STERIS has raised its dividend for 20 consecutive years. Becton, Dickinson and Company is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Which has more volatility & risk, BDX or STE?

Becton, Dickinson and Company has a beta of 0.25, indicating that its stock price is 75% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, STERIS has a beta of 0.92, indicating that its stock price is 8% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Is BDX or STE more profitable?

STERIS has a net margin of 11.26% compared to Becton, Dickinson and Company's net margin of 7.28%. Becton, Dickinson and Company's return on equity of 15.99% beat STERIS's return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Becton, Dickinson and Company	7.28%	15.99%	7.36%
STERIS	11.26%	14.21%	9.13%

Do analysts prefer BDX or STE?

Becton, Dickinson and Company presently has a consensus price target of $219.22, suggesting a potential upside of 20.79%. STERIS has a consensus price target of $270.33, suggesting a potential upside of 20.74%. Given Becton, Dickinson and Company's higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe Becton, Dickinson and Company is more favorable than STERIS.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Becton, Dickinson and Company	0 Sell rating(s)	7 Hold rating(s)	4 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.36
STERIS	0 Sell rating(s)	2 Hold rating(s)	6 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.75

Which has better valuation & earnings, BDX or STE?

Becton, Dickinson and Company has higher revenue and earnings than STERIS. Becton, Dickinson and Company is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than STERIS, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Becton, Dickinson and Company	$20.18B	2.58	$1.71B	$5.24	34.64
STERIS	$5.46B	4.03	$614.64M	$6.20	36.11

Summary

STERIS beats Becton, Dickinson and Company on 12 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.