Agilent Technologies, Inc. (A) vs Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX)
A side-by-side comparison of Agilent Technologies, Inc. and Becton, Dickinson and Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
A
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
$161.98HealthcareDelayed quote: Sep 21, 2026, 3:59 PM EDT
BDX
Becton, Dickinson and Company
$180.70HealthcareDelayed quote: Sep 21, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — A vs BDX
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yA +254.0% (+13.5%/yr)BDX +57.0% (+4.6%/yr)A compounded faster over this window
A BDX
A vs BDX: by the numbers
- •BDX is the larger company ($49.79B vs $45.75B market cap).
- •A trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (31.89 vs 54.43 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •A converts more revenue to profit (19.53% vs 4.52% net margin).
- •A grew revenue faster over the past five years (3.72% vs 1.22% CAGR).
- •BDX pays the higher dividend yield (2.24% vs 0.69%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | A | BDX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 31.89 | 54.43 |
| Forward P/E | 26.12 | 14.26 |
| P/S ratio | 6.21 | 2.39 |
| P/B ratio | 6.21 | 2.04 |
| EV / EBITDA | 25.10 | 11.96 |
| FCF yield | 2.73% | 5.23% |
Profitability
| Metric | A | BDX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 53.73% | 46.12% |
| Operating margin | 22.23% | 9.83% |
| Net margin | 19.53% | 4.52% |
| ROE | 19.56% | 3.85% |
| ROIC | 11.88% | 3.72% |
Dividends
| Metric | A | BDX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.69% | 2.24% |
| Payout ratio | 19.94% | 119.73% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | A | BDX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 3.72% | 1.22% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 14.52% | 16.26% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 2.54% | -9.10% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -3.00% | -0.32% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, A or BDX?
- A has the lower trailing P/E: A trades at 31.89 and BDX at 54.43. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, A or BDX?
- Over the past five years, A grew revenue faster — A at a 3.72% CAGR versus BDX at 1.22%.
- Does A or BDX pay a bigger dividend?
- A yields 0.69% and BDX yields 2.24% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is A or BDX more profitable?
- A runs the higher net margin — A at 19.53% versus BDX at 4.52%.
- How have A and BDX total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, A delivered 13.47% and BDX delivered 4.75% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Agilent Technologies P/E ratioBecton, Dickinson P/E ratioAgilent Technologies dividend yieldBecton, Dickinson dividend yieldAgilent Technologies ROEBecton, Dickinson ROEAgilent Technologies operating marginBecton, Dickinson operating marginAgilent Technologies revenue growthBecton, Dickinson revenue growthAgilent Technologies free cash flowBecton, Dickinson free cash flow
Agilent Technologies & Becton, Dickinson appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified September 13, 2026.