C3.ai, Inc. (AI) vs Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG)

ISRG leads on 7 of 9 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of C3.ai, Inc. and Intuitive Surgical, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — AI vs ISRG

growth of $100 · last 6y
AI -91.6%ISRG +62.7%ISRG compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
1101001kStart $100202120222023202420252026$8$163
AI ISRG

AI vs ISRG: by the numbers

  • ISRG is the larger company ($145.58B vs $1.55B market cap).
  • ISRG is profitable (28.15% net margin) while AI runs a net loss (-187.95%).
  • ISRG grew revenue faster over the past five years (18.39% vs 6.44% CAGR).

Which is better, AI or ISRG?

Metric tally: AI 2 · ISRG 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthISRG(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityISRG(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricAIISRG
P/E ratio49.83
Forward P/E34.90
P/S ratio6.3713.98
P/B ratio2.448.46
PEG ratio3.17
EV / EBITDA35.41
FCF yield1.92%

Profitability

MetricAIISRG
Gross margin30.92%66.29%
Operating margin-194.86%30.45%
Net margin-187.95%28.15%
ROE-71.95%17.05%
ROIC-68.71%13.71%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAIISRG
Revenue CAGR (5Y)6.44%18.39%
EPS CAGR (5Y)21.51%
FCF CAGR (5Y)16.61%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-29.02%7.37%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AI or ISRG?
It depends on your goal. growth: ISRG (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: ISRG (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ISRG leads 7 to 2.
Which has grown faster, AI or ISRG?
Over the past five years, ISRG grew revenue faster — AI at a 6.44% CAGR versus ISRG at 18.39%.
Is AI or ISRG more profitable?
ISRG runs the higher net margin — AI at -187.95% versus ISRG at 28.15%.
Which has been the better investment, AI or ISRG?
Over the past 5-year, ISRG delivered the higher annualized total return — AI at -29.02% versus ISRG at 19.14%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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 June 13, 2026.