Which has the lower trailing P/E, DGX or STE?

DGX has the lower trailing P/E: DGX trades at 25.30 and STE at 29.03. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.

Which has grown faster, DGX or STE?

Over the past five years, STE grew revenue faster — DGX at a 0.89% CAGR versus STE at 5.93%.

Does DGX or STE pay a bigger dividend?

DGX yields 1.39% and STE yields 1.06% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is DGX or STE more profitable?

STE runs the higher net margin — DGX at 9.19% versus STE at 13.31%.

How have DGX and STE total returns compared?

Over the past 10 years, DGX delivered 12.97% and STE delivered 13.80% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX) vs STERIS plc (STE)

A side-by-side comparison of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated and STERIS plc across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 10, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

DGX

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated

$26.23B

$237.62HealthcareDelayed quote: Aug 10, 2026, 1:20 PM EDT

STE

STERIS plc

$23.06B

$236.63HealthcareDelayed quote: Aug 10, 2026, 1:15 PM EDT

Total return — DGX vs STE

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y

DGX +240.1% (+13.0%/yr)STE +273.3% (+14.1%/yr)STE compounded faster over this window

DGX STE

DGX vs STE: by the numbers

•DGX is the larger company ($26.23B vs $23.06B market cap).
•DGX trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (25.30 vs 29.03 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
•STE converts more revenue to profit (13.31% vs 9.19% net margin).
•STE grew revenue faster over the past five years (5.93% vs 0.89% CAGR).
•DGX pays the higher dividend yield (1.39% vs 1.06%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	DGX	STE
P/E ratio	25.30	29.03
Forward P/E	21.30	23.29
P/S ratio	2.31	3.86
P/B ratio	3.55	3.19
EV / EBITDA	16.25	13.45
FCF yield	4.57%	4.24%

Profitability

Metric	DGX	STE
Gross margin	33.15%	43.97%
Operating margin	14.14%	18.83%
Net margin	9.19%	13.31%
ROE	14.13%	8.38%
ROIC	8.43%	8.47%

Dividends

Metric	DGX	STE
Dividend yield	1.39%	1.06%
Payout ratio	37.43%	31.78%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	DGX	STE
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	0.89%	5.93%
EPS CAGR (5Y)	-3.65%	11.22%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	-10.89%	16.89%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	12.37%	2.86%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, DGX or STE?: DGX has the lower trailing P/E: DGX trades at 25.30 and STE at 29.03. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, DGX or STE?: Over the past five years, STE grew revenue faster — DGX at a 0.89% CAGR versus STE at 5.93%.
Does DGX or STE pay a bigger dividend?: DGX yields 1.39% and STE yields 1.06% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is DGX or STE more profitable?: STE runs the higher net margin — DGX at 9.19% versus STE at 13.31%.
How have DGX and STE total returns compared?: Over the past 10 years, DGX delivered 12.97% and STE delivered 13.80% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full DGX analysis Full STE analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

Quest Diagnostics P/E ratio STERIS P/E ratio Quest Diagnostics dividend yield STERIS dividend yield Quest Diagnostics ROE STERIS ROE Quest Diagnostics operating margin STERIS operating margin Quest Diagnostics revenue growth STERIS revenue growth Quest Diagnostics free cash flow STERIS free cash flow

Quest Diagnostics & STERIS appear in these rankings

Highest FCF Yield Stocks Highest 10-Year Total Return Stocks

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 August 10, 2026.