STERIS plc (STE) vs Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (ZBH)

A side-by-side comparison of STERIS plc and Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 10, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnSTE vs ZBH

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
STE +270.9% (+14.0%/yr)ZBH -17.5% (-1.9%/yr)STE compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020182020202220242026$371$83
STE ZBH

STE vs ZBH: by the numbers

  • STE is the larger company ($23.06B vs $18.69B market cap).
  • ZBH trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (23.49 vs 29.03 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • STE converts more revenue to profit (13.31% vs 9.48% net margin).
  • STE grew revenue faster over the past five years (5.93% vs 2.89% CAGR).
  • STE pays the higher dividend yield (1.06% vs 0.99%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricSTEZBH
P/E ratio29.0323.49
Forward P/E23.2911.32
P/S ratio3.862.19
P/B ratio3.191.47
EV / EBITDA13.4510.98
FCF yield4.24%10.86%

Profitability

MetricSTEZBH
Gross margin43.97%61.62%
Operating margin18.83%15.73%
Net margin13.31%9.48%
ROE8.38%6.39%
ROIC8.47%5.48%

Dividends

MetricSTEZBH
Dividend yield1.06%0.99%
Payout ratio31.78%26.97%

Growth (annualized)

MetricSTEZBH
Revenue CAGR (5Y)5.93%2.89%
EPS CAGR (5Y)11.22%N/A
FCF CAGR (5Y)16.89%8.63%
Total return CAGR (5Y)2.86%-6.95%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, STE or ZBH?
ZBH has the lower trailing P/E: STE trades at 29.03 and ZBH at 23.49. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, STE or ZBH?
Over the past five years, STE grew revenue faster — STE at a 5.93% CAGR versus ZBH at 2.89%.
Does STE or ZBH pay a bigger dividend?
STE yields 1.06% and ZBH yields 0.99% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is STE or ZBH more profitable?
STE runs the higher net margin — STE at 13.31% versus ZBH at 9.48%.
How have STE and ZBH total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, STE delivered 13.80% and ZBH delivered -1.94% annualized total return. 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 August 10, 2026.