STERIS plc (STE) vs Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (ZBH)
STE and ZBH are evenly matched — 8 metrics each of 16.
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 June 26, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — STE vs ZBH
growth of $100 · last 25ySTE +954.1%ZBH +215.1%STE compounded faster
STE ZBH
STE vs ZBH: by the numbers
- •STE is the larger company ($20.52B vs $17.60B market cap).
- •ZBH trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.63 vs 26.56 P/E).
- •STE converts more revenue to profit (13.18% vs 9.05% net margin).
- •STE grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.82% vs 4.21% CAGR).
- •ZBH pays the higher dividend yield (1.32% vs 1.20%).
Which is better, STE or ZBH?
Metric tally: STE 8 · ZBH 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueZBH(lower P/E)
GrowthSTE(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeZBH(higher dividend yield)
QualitySTE(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | STE | ZBH |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 26.56 | 23.63● |
| Forward P/E | 20.65 | 10.10● |
| P/S ratio | 3.49 | 2.12● |
| P/B ratio | 2.88 | 1.41● |
| PEG ratio | 1.03 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 12.24 | 11.27● |
| FCF yield | 4.69% | 10.31%● |
Profitability
| Metric | STE | ZBH |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.25% | 70.03%● |
| Operating margin | 18.56%● | 15.61% |
| Net margin | 13.18%● | 9.05% |
| ROE | 10.89%● | 6.01% |
| ROIC | 8.47%● | 5.48% |
Dividends
| Metric | STE | ZBH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.20% | 1.32%● |
| Payout ratio | 31.78% | 33.71% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | STE | ZBH |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 13.82%● | 4.21% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 11.22%● | -7.05% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 16.64%● | 15.41% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 1.32%● | -10.01% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, STE or ZBH?
- It depends on your goal. value: ZBH (lower P/E); growth: STE (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: ZBH (higher dividend yield); quality: STE (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, they are evenly matched.
- Is STE or ZBH cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, ZBH is cheaper: STE trades at a 26.56 P/E and ZBH at 23.63.
- Which has grown faster, STE or ZBH?
- Over the past five years, STE grew revenue faster — STE at a 13.82% CAGR versus ZBH at 4.21%.
- Does STE or ZBH pay a bigger dividend?
- STE yields 1.20% and ZBH yields 1.32% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is STE or ZBH more profitable?
- STE runs the higher net margin — STE at 13.18% versus ZBH at 9.05%.
- Which has been the better investment, STE or ZBH?
- Over the past 10-year, STE delivered the higher annualized total return — STE at 13.60% versus ZBH at -1.36%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
STERIS P/E ratioZimmer Biomet P/E ratioSTERIS dividend yieldZimmer Biomet dividend yieldSTERIS ROEZimmer Biomet ROESTERIS operating marginZimmer Biomet operating marginSTERIS revenue growthZimmer Biomet revenue growthSTERIS free cash flowZimmer Biomet free cash flow
STERIS & Zimmer Biomet 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 26, 2026.