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).
Total return — LH vs STE
growth of $100 · last 30yLH +1474.2%STE +1226.2%LH compounded faster
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 10It 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
| Metric | LH | STE |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 23.58● | 26.56 |
| Forward P/E | 13.66● | 20.65 |
| P/S ratio | 1.56● | 3.49 |
| P/B ratio | 2.53● | 2.88 |
| PEG ratio | 1.28 | 1.03● |
| EV / EBITDA | 13.73 | 12.24● |
| FCF yield | 6.27%● | 4.69% |
Profitability
| Metric | LH | STE |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 27.79% | 44.25%● |
| Operating margin | 11.03% | 18.56%● |
| Net margin | 6.66% | 13.18%● |
| ROE | 10.79% | 10.89% |
| ROIC | 7.39% | 8.47%● |
Dividends
| Metric | LH | STE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.08% | 1.20%● |
| Payout ratio | 27.32% | 31.78% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | LH | STE |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Labcorp P/E ratioSTERIS P/E ratioLabcorp dividend yieldSTERIS dividend yieldLabcorp ROESTERIS ROELabcorp operating marginSTERIS operating marginLabcorp revenue growthSTERIS revenue growthLabcorp free cash flowSTERIS free cash flow
Labcorp & STERIS 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 25, 2026.