Becton Dickinson (BDX) vs Penumbra (PEN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Penumbra (PEN) has outperformed Becton Dickinson (BDX) over the past year, gaining 27.0% versus a gain of 19.0%. Over five years, PEN leads with a +18.2% price change compared with -2.6% for BDX. Becton Dickinson is the larger company by market cap ($49.07 billion vs $12.46 billion), about 3.9 times the size, while Penumbra is growing revenue faster (+17.5% vs +8.2%).
On valuation, Becton Dickinson trades at a lower forward P/E (13.5x vs 51.6x for Penumbra). Becton Dickinson pays a dividend yielding 2.33%, while Penumbra does not currently pay one. Penumbra converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 12.7% versus 7.7%.
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 | BDX | PEN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $180.16 | $316.35 |
| Market cap | $49.07B | $12.46B |
| 1-day change | -0.08% | -0.22% |
| YTD return | +18.08% | +1.75% |
| 1-year return | +19.03% | +27.03% |
| 5-year return | -2.60% | +18.15% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 41.90 | 77.73 |
| Forward P/E | 13.54 | 51.59 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.30 | $4.07 |
| Dividend yield | 2.33% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $4.19 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $21.84B | $1.40B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.24% | +17.50% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.68B | $177.69M |
| Gross margin | 45.44% | 67.14% |
| Operating margin | 11.81% | 13.48% |
| Net margin | 7.68% | 12.66% |
| 52-week high | $193.07 | $362.41 |
| 52-week low | $127.59 | $221.26 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -6.69% | -12.71% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +7.73% | +14.30% |
| Average volume | 1.78M | 343.03K |
| Shares outstanding | 272.39M | 39.39M |
| Employees | 72,000 | 4,700 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Medical/Dental Instruments | Medical/Dental Instruments |
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
- Becton Dickinson is about 3.9 times larger than Penumbra by market value ($49.07B vs $12.46B).
- Penumbra trades at a higher earnings multiple (77.7x vs 41.9x trailing P/E).
- Becton Dickinson offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.33% vs 0.00%).
- Penumbra grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+17.50% vs +8.24%).
About Becton Dickinson
BDX stock →Becton, Dickinson and Company develops, manufactures, and sells medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products for healthcare institutions, physicians, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical industry, and the general public worldwide. It operates through Medical Essentials, Connected Care, BioPharma Systems, Interventional and Life Sciences segments.
Health Care · Medical/Dental Instruments · 72,000 employees
About Penumbra
PEN stock →Penumbra, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices in the United States and internationally. It offers computer-assisted vacuum thrombectomy; peripheral thrombectomy products, including the Indigo System for power aspiration of thrombus in the body; Lightning Flash, a mechanical thrombectomy system; Lightning Bolt 7, an arterial thrombectomy system; and CAT RX.
Health Care · Medical/Dental Instruments · 4,700 employees
BDX vs PEN FAQ
Which is bigger, Becton Dickinson or Penumbra?
Becton Dickinson (BDX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $49.07B compared with $12.46B for Penumbra (PEN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BDX or PEN?
PEN returned +27.03% over the past 12 months, compared with +19.03% for BDX (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, BDX or PEN?
BDX has the lower trailing P/E at 41.9, versus 77.7 for PEN. 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, Becton Dickinson or Penumbra?
Becton Dickinson pays a dividend yielding 2.33%, while Penumbra does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Becton Dickinson and Penumbra in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Medical/Dental Instruments industry within the Health Care sector.