Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) vs Medtronic plc (MDT)
ISRG leads on 9 of 15 compared metrics, though MDT is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. and Medtronic plc across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — ISRG vs MDT
growth of $100 · last 26yISRG +20149.3%MDT +60.6%ISRG compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
ISRG MDT
ISRG vs MDT: by the numbers
- •ISRG is the larger company ($145.58B vs $102.97B market cap).
- •MDT trades at the lower earnings multiple (21.50 vs 49.83 P/E).
- •ISRG converts more revenue to profit (28.15% vs 13.20% net margin).
- •ISRG grew revenue faster over the past five years (18.39% vs 5.18% CAGR).
- •MDT pays a dividend (3.54% yield) while ISRG does not currently pay one.
Which is better, ISRG or MDT?
Metric tally: ISRG 9 · MDT 6It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueMDT(lower P/E)
GrowthISRG(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityISRG(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ISRG | MDT |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 49.83 | 21.50● |
| Forward P/E | 34.92 | 12.55● |
| P/S ratio | 13.98 | 2.84● |
| P/B ratio | 8.46 | 2.11● |
| PEG ratio | 3.17● | 6.73 |
| EV / EBITDA | 35.41 | 13.03● |
| FCF yield | 1.92% | 5.25%● |
Profitability
| Metric | ISRG | MDT |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 66.29% | 65.02% |
| Operating margin | 30.45%● | 17.78% |
| Net margin | 28.15%● | 13.20% |
| ROE | 17.05%● | 9.80% |
| ROIC | 13.71%● | 0.00% |
Dividends
| Metric | ISRG | MDT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | — | 3.54% |
| Payout ratio | — | 75.73% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ISRG | MDT |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 18.39%● | 5.18% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 21.51%● | 0.83% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 16.61%● | 3.07% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 7.37%● | -5.47% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, ISRG or MDT?
- It depends on your goal. value: MDT (lower P/E); growth: ISRG (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: ISRG (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ISRG leads 9 to 6.
- Is ISRG or MDT cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, MDT is cheaper: ISRG trades at a 49.83 P/E and MDT at 21.50.
- Which has grown faster, ISRG or MDT?
- Over the past five years, ISRG grew revenue faster — ISRG at a 18.39% CAGR versus MDT at 5.18%.
- Does ISRG or MDT pay a bigger dividend?
- MDT pays a dividend (3.54% yield) while ISRG does not currently pay one.
- Is ISRG or MDT more profitable?
- ISRG runs the higher net margin — ISRG at 28.15% versus MDT at 13.20%.
- Which has been the better investment, ISRG or MDT?
- Over the past 10-year, ISRG delivered the higher annualized total return — ISRG at 19.14% versus MDT at 1.97%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Intuitive Surgical P/E ratioMedtronic P/E ratioIntuitive Surgical dividend yieldMedtronic dividend yieldIntuitive Surgical ROEMedtronic ROEIntuitive Surgical operating marginMedtronic operating marginIntuitive Surgical revenue growthMedtronic revenue growthIntuitive Surgical free cash flowMedtronic free cash flow
Intuitive Surgical & Medtronic 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 15, 2026.