Labcorp Holdings Inc. (LH) vs STERIS plc (STE)

STE leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics, though LH is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Labcorp Holdings Inc. and STERIS plc across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 25, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — LH vs STE

growth of $100 · last 30y
LH +1474.2%STE +1226.2%LH compounded faster
05001k2kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,574$1,326
LH STE

LH vs STE: by the numbers

  • LH is the larger company ($21.83B vs $20.52B market cap).
  • LH trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.58 vs 26.56 P/E).
  • STE converts more revenue to profit (13.18% vs 6.66% net margin).
  • STE grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.82% vs -1.58% CAGR).
  • STE pays the higher dividend yield (1.20% vs 1.08%).

Which is better, LH or STE?

Metric tally: LH 6 · STE 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueLH(lower P/E)
GrowthSTE(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeSTE(higher dividend yield)
QualitySTE(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricLHSTE
P/E ratio23.5826.56
Forward P/E13.6620.65
P/S ratio1.563.49
P/B ratio2.532.88
PEG ratio1.281.03
EV / EBITDA13.7312.24
FCF yield6.27%4.69%

Profitability

MetricLHSTE
Gross margin27.79%44.25%
Operating margin11.03%18.56%
Net margin6.66%13.18%
ROE10.79%10.89%
ROIC7.39%8.47%

Dividends

MetricLHSTE
Dividend yield1.08%1.20%
Payout ratio27.32%31.78%

Growth (annualized)

MetricLHSTE
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-1.58%13.82%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-8.00%11.22%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-12.63%16.64%
Total return CAGR (5Y)4.07%1.32%

Frequently asked

Which is better, LH or STE?
It depends on your goal. value: LH (lower P/E); growth: STE (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: STE (higher dividend yield); quality: STE (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, STE leads 10 to 6.
Is LH or STE cheaper?
On trailing earnings, LH is cheaper: LH trades at a 23.58 P/E and STE at 26.56.
Which has grown faster, LH or STE?
Over the past five years, STE grew revenue faster — LH at a -1.58% CAGR versus STE at 13.82%.
Does LH or STE pay a bigger dividend?
LH yields 1.08% and STE yields 1.20% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is LH or STE more profitable?
STE runs the higher net margin — LH at 6.66% versus STE at 13.18%.
Which has been the better investment, LH or STE?
Over the past 10-year, STE delivered the higher annualized total return — LH at 9.67% versus STE at 13.60%. 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 25, 2026.