Danaher Corporation (DHR) vs Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG)

ISRG leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics, though DHR is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Danaher Corporation 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 — DHR vs ISRG

growth of $100 · last 26y
DHR +2085.7%ISRG +20149.3%ISRG compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $10020052010201520202025$2,186$20,249
DHR ISRG

DHR vs ISRG: by the numbers

  • ISRG is the larger company ($145.58B vs $127.47B market cap).
  • DHR trades at the lower earnings multiple (34.84 vs 49.83 P/E).
  • ISRG converts more revenue to profit (28.15% vs 14.89% net margin).
  • ISRG grew revenue faster over the past five years (18.39% vs 2.05% CAGR).
  • DHR pays a dividend (0.76% yield) while ISRG does not currently pay one.

Which is better, DHR or ISRG?

Metric tally: DHR 6 · ISRG 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueDHR(lower P/E)
GrowthISRG(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityISRG(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricDHRISRG
P/E ratio34.8449.83
Forward P/E19.7334.90
P/S ratio5.1713.98
P/B ratio2.428.46
PEG ratio87.093.17
EV / EBITDA21.2035.41
FCF yield4.13%1.92%

Profitability

MetricDHRISRG
Gross margin60.68%66.29%
Operating margin20.95%30.45%
Net margin14.89%28.15%
ROE6.97%17.05%
ROIC5.72%13.71%

Dividends

MetricDHRISRG
Dividend yield0.76%
Payout ratio26.82%

Growth (annualized)

MetricDHRISRG
Revenue CAGR (5Y)2.05%18.39%
EPS CAGR (5Y)0.40%21.51%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-0.45%16.61%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-3.38%7.37%

Frequently asked

Which is better, DHR or ISRG?
It depends on your goal. value: DHR (lower P/E); growth: ISRG (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: ISRG (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ISRG leads 10 to 6.
Is DHR or ISRG cheaper?
On trailing earnings, DHR is cheaper: DHR trades at a 34.84 P/E and ISRG at 49.83.
Which has grown faster, DHR or ISRG?
Over the past five years, ISRG grew revenue faster — DHR at a 2.05% CAGR versus ISRG at 18.39%.
Does DHR or ISRG pay a bigger dividend?
DHR pays a dividend (0.76% yield) while ISRG does not currently pay one.
Is DHR or ISRG more profitable?
ISRG runs the higher net margin — DHR at 14.89% versus ISRG at 28.15%.
Which has been the better investment, DHR or ISRG?
Over the past 10-year, ISRG delivered the higher annualized total return — DHR at 10.98% 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.