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 September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
STE
STERIS plc
$208.77HealthcareDelayed quote: Sep 24, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
ZBH
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.
$89.69HealthcareDelayed quote: Sep 24, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — STE vs ZBH
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10ySTE +252.8% (+13.4%/yr)ZBH -14.2% (-1.5%/yr)STE compounded faster over this window
STE ZBH
STE vs ZBH: by the numbers
- •STE is the larger company ($20.35B vs $17.35B market cap).
- •ZBH trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (21.82 vs 25.52 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •STE converts more revenue to profit (13.33% vs 9.48% net margin).
- •STE grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.13% vs 2.89% CAGR).
- •STE pays the higher dividend yield (1.20% vs 1.01%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | STE | ZBH |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 25.52 | 21.82 |
| Forward P/E | 18.63 | 10.51 |
| P/S ratio | 3.37 | 2.04 |
| P/B ratio | 2.82 | 1.37 |
| EV / EBITDA | 12.08 | 10.44 |
| FCF yield | 4.55% | 7.34% |
Profitability
| Metric | STE | ZBH |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.43% | 61.62% |
| Operating margin | 18.91% | 15.73% |
| Net margin | 13.33% | 9.48% |
| ROE | 11.17% | 6.39% |
| ROIC | 8.74% | 5.51% |
Dividends
| Metric | STE | ZBH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.20% | 1.01% |
| Payout ratio | 30.81% | 23.36% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | STE | ZBH |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 12.13% | 2.89% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 11.22% | N/A |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 16.89% | 6.49% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 1.08% | -6.74% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, STE or ZBH?
- ZBH has the lower trailing P/E: STE trades at 25.52 and ZBH at 21.82. 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 12.13% CAGR versus ZBH at 2.89%.
- Does STE or ZBH pay a bigger dividend?
- STE yields 1.20% and ZBH yields 1.01% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is STE or ZBH more profitable?
- STE runs the higher net margin — STE at 13.33% versus ZBH at 9.48%.
- How have STE and ZBH total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, STE delivered 12.75% and ZBH delivered -1.67% annualized total return. 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 September 13, 2026.