Elevance Health Inc. (ELV) vs Stryker Corporation (SYK)

SYK leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics, though ELV is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Elevance Health Inc. 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).

Compare

Total return — ELV vs SYK

growth of $100 · last 25y
ELV +1854.3%SYK +984.8%ELV compounded faster
01k2kStart $10020062011201620212026$1,954$1,085
ELV SYK

ELV vs SYK: by the numbers

  • SYK is the larger company ($119.06B vs $86.74B market cap).
  • ELV trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.09 vs 35.95 P/E).
  • SYK converts more revenue to profit (13.21% vs 2.62% net margin).
  • SYK grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.42% vs 9.97% CAGR).
  • ELV pays the higher dividend yield (1.71% vs 1.11%).

Which is better, ELV or SYK?

Metric tally: ELV 8 · SYK 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueELV(lower P/E)
GrowthSYK(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeELV(higher dividend yield)
QualitySYK(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricELVSYK
P/E ratio17.0935.95
Forward P/E13.7518.56
P/S ratio0.444.75
P/B ratio2.025.22
PEG ratio2.565.16
EV / EBITDA12.4221.49
FCF yield7.28%3.81%

Profitability

MetricELVSYK
Gross margin23.16%63.67%
Operating margin3.81%21.34%
Net margin2.62%13.21%
ROE11.94%14.52%
ROIC6.65%8.53%

Dividends

MetricELVSYK
Dividend yield1.71%1.11%
Payout ratio27.24%40.52%

Growth (annualized)

MetricELVSYK
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.97%11.42%
EPS CAGR (5Y)6.67%14.79%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-7.76%11.01%
Total return CAGR (5Y)2.56%4.98%

Frequently asked

Which is better, ELV or SYK?
It depends on your goal. value: ELV (lower P/E); growth: SYK (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: ELV (higher dividend yield); quality: SYK (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, SYK leads 9 to 8.
Is ELV or SYK cheaper?
On trailing earnings, ELV is cheaper: ELV trades at a 17.09 P/E and SYK at 35.95.
Which has grown faster, ELV or SYK?
Over the past five years, SYK grew revenue faster — ELV at a 9.97% CAGR versus SYK at 11.42%.
Does ELV or SYK pay a bigger dividend?
ELV yields 1.71% and SYK yields 1.11% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ELV or SYK more profitable?
SYK runs the higher net margin — ELV at 2.62% versus SYK at 13.21%.
Which has been the better investment, ELV or SYK?
Over the past 10-year, ELV delivered the higher annualized total return — ELV at 13.25% versus SYK at 11.71%. 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 16, 2026.