CVS Health Corporation (CVS) vs Stryker Corporation (SYK)
SYK leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of CVS Health Corporation and Stryker Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 16, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — CVS vs SYK
growth of $100 · last 30yCVS +872.8%SYK +4798.7%SYK compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
CVS SYK
CVS vs SYK: by the numbers
- •CVS is the larger company ($127.54B vs $119.06B market cap).
- •SYK trades at the lower earnings multiple (35.95 vs 44.35 P/E).
- •SYK converts more revenue to profit (13.21% vs 0.72% net margin).
- •SYK grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.42% vs 8.52% CAGR).
- •CVS pays the higher dividend yield (2.64% vs 1.11%).
Which is better, CVS or SYK?
Metric tally: CVS 7 · SYK 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueSYK(lower P/E)
GrowthSYK(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCVS(higher dividend yield)
QualitySYK(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CVS | SYK |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 44.35 | 35.95● |
| Forward P/E | 12.01● | 18.56 |
| P/S ratio | 0.32● | 4.75 |
| P/B ratio | 1.66● | 5.22 |
| PEG ratio | — | 5.16 |
| EV / EBITDA | 17.75● | 21.49 |
| FCF yield | 5.74%● | 3.81% |
Profitability
| Metric | CVS | SYK |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 13.87% | 63.67%● |
| Operating margin | 1.46% | 21.34%● |
| Net margin | 0.72% | 13.21%● |
| ROE | 3.79% | 14.52%● |
| ROIC | 4.72% | 8.53%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CVS | SYK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.64%● | 1.11% |
| Payout ratio | 190.00% | 40.52% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CVS | SYK |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.52% | 11.42%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -23.89% | 14.79%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -10.57% | 11.01%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 6.84%● | 4.98% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CVS or SYK?
- It depends on your goal. value: SYK (lower P/E); growth: SYK (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CVS (higher dividend yield); quality: SYK (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, SYK leads 9 to 7.
- Is CVS or SYK cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, SYK is cheaper: CVS trades at a 44.35 P/E and SYK at 35.95.
- Which has grown faster, CVS or SYK?
- Over the past five years, SYK grew revenue faster — CVS at a 8.52% CAGR versus SYK at 11.42%.
- Does CVS or SYK pay a bigger dividend?
- CVS yields 2.64% and SYK yields 1.11% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CVS or SYK more profitable?
- SYK runs the higher net margin — CVS at 0.72% versus SYK at 13.21%.
- Which has been the better investment, CVS or SYK?
- Over the past 10-year, SYK delivered the higher annualized total return — CVS at 3.58% versus SYK at 11.71%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
CVS Health P/E ratioStryker P/E ratioCVS Health dividend yieldStryker dividend yieldCVS Health ROEStryker ROECVS Health operating marginStryker operating marginCVS Health revenue growthStryker revenue growthCVS Health free cash flowStryker free cash flow
CVS Health & Stryker 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 June 16, 2026.