Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) vs Elevance Health Inc. (ELV)

BDX leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics, though ELV is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Becton, Dickinson and Company and Elevance Health Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — BDX vs ELV

growth of $100 · last 25y
BDX +425.9%ELV +1875.9%ELV compounded faster
01k2kStart $10020062011201620212026$526$1,976
BDX ELV

BDX vs ELV: by the numbers

  • ELV is the larger company ($87.75B vs $52.98B market cap).
  • ELV trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.19 vs 37.02 P/E).
  • BDX converts more revenue to profit (5.33% vs 2.62% net margin).
  • ELV grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.97% vs 2.52% CAGR).
  • BDX pays the higher dividend yield (2.56% vs 1.70%).

Which is better, BDX or ELV?

Metric tally: BDX 10 · ELV 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueELV(lower P/E)
GrowthELV(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeBDX(higher dividend yield)
QualityELV(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricBDXELV
P/E ratio37.0217.19
Forward P/E10.9213.82
P/S ratio1.920.44
P/B ratio1.702.03
PEG ratio2.282.58
EV / EBITDA13.8112.48
FCF yield7.66%7.24%

Profitability

MetricBDXELV
Gross margin46.48%23.16%
Operating margin10.61%3.81%
Net margin5.33%2.62%
ROE4.72%11.94%
ROIC4.73%6.65%

Dividends

MetricBDXELV
Dividend yield2.56%1.70%
Payout ratio64.09%27.24%

Growth (annualized)

MetricBDXELV
Revenue CAGR (5Y)2.52%9.97%
EPS CAGR (5Y)16.26%6.67%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-5.41%-7.76%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-2.99%2.50%

Frequently asked

Which is better, BDX or ELV?
It depends on your goal. value: ELV (lower P/E); growth: ELV (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: BDX (higher dividend yield); quality: ELV (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, BDX leads 10 to 7.
Is BDX or ELV cheaper?
On trailing earnings, ELV is cheaper: BDX trades at a 37.02 P/E and ELV at 17.19.
Which has grown faster, BDX or ELV?
Over the past five years, ELV grew revenue faster — BDX at a 2.52% CAGR versus ELV at 9.97%.
Does BDX or ELV pay a bigger dividend?
BDX yields 2.56% and ELV yields 1.70% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is BDX or ELV more profitable?
BDX runs the higher net margin — BDX at 5.33% versus ELV at 2.62%.
Which has been the better investment, BDX or ELV?
Over the past 10-year, ELV delivered the higher annualized total return — BDX at 2.80% versus ELV at 13.43%. 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 14, 2026.