AZZ (AZZ) vs STERIS (Ireland) (STE)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
AZZ (AZZ) has outperformed STERIS (Ireland) (STE) over the past year, gaining 31.8% versus a loss of 13.2%. Over five years, AZZ leads with a +159.9% price change compared with -6.8% for STE. STERIS (Ireland) is the larger company by market cap ($20.44 billion vs $4.16 billion), about 4.9 times the size.
On valuation, STERIS (Ireland) trades at a lower forward P/E (17.1x vs 17.8x for AZZ). STERIS (Ireland) offers the higher dividend yield (1.20% vs 0.58%). AZZ converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 19.2% versus 13.2%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AZZ | STE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $138.51 | $209.68 |
| Market cap | $4.16B | $20.44B |
| 1-day change | -2.18% | +0.49% |
| YTD return | +29.23% | -17.29% |
| 1-year return | +31.81% | -13.20% |
| 5-year return | +159.92% | -6.85% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 21.57 | 25.51 |
| Forward P/E | 17.77 | 17.12 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.42 | $8.22 |
| Dividend yield | 0.58% | 1.20% |
| Annual dividend | $0.80 | $2.52 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.65B | $5.94B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.58% | +8.73% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $317.26M | $782.30M |
| Gross margin | 23.94% | 44.25% |
| Operating margin | 16.04% | 18.56% |
| Net margin | 19.23% | 13.18% |
| 52-week high | $162.20 | $269.44 |
| 52-week low | $92.98 | $195.14 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.61% | -22.18% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +18.40% | +25.49% |
| Average volume | 259.91K | 694.18K |
| Shares outstanding | 30.05M | 97.50M |
| Employees | 3,767 | 17,937 |
| Sector | Industrials | Health Care |
| Industry | Industrial Specialties | Industrial Specialties |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- STERIS (Ireland) is about 4.9 times larger than AZZ by market value ($20.44B vs $4.16B).
- AZZ has outperformed STE by 45.0 percentage points over the past year.
- AZZ is more profitable, keeping 19.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 13.2 cents for STERIS (Ireland).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: AZZ in Industrials and STERIS (Ireland) in Health Care.
About AZZ
AZZ stock →AZZ Inc. provides hot-dip galvanizing and coil coating solutions in North America.
Industrials · Industrial Specialties · 3,767 employees
About STERIS (Ireland)
STE stock →STERIS plc provides infection prevention products and services in the United States, Ireland, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Healthcare, Applied Sterilization Technologies, and Life Sciences.
Health Care · Industrial Specialties · 17,937 employees
AZZ vs STE FAQ
Which is bigger, AZZ or STERIS (Ireland)?
STERIS (Ireland) (STE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $20.44B compared with $4.16B for AZZ (AZZ).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AZZ or STE?
AZZ returned +31.81% over the past 12 months, compared with -13.20% for STE (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AZZ or STE?
AZZ has the lower trailing P/E at 21.6, versus 25.5 for STE. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, AZZ or STERIS (Ireland)?
STERIS (Ireland) has the higher yield at 1.20%, compared with 0.58% for AZZ.
Are AZZ and STERIS (Ireland) in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Specialties industry within the Industrials sector.