Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) 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
Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) has outperformed STERIS (Ireland) (STE) over the past year, losing 6.0% versus a loss of 13.2%. Over five years, ISRG leads with a +25.0% price change compared with -6.8% for STE. Intuitive Surgical is the larger company by market cap ($146.28 billion vs $20.38 billion), about 7.2 times the size.
On valuation, STERIS (Ireland) trades at a lower forward P/E (17.1x vs 34.2x for Intuitive Surgical). STERIS (Ireland) pays a dividend yielding 1.21%, while Intuitive Surgical does not currently pay one. Intuitive Surgical converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 28.4% 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 | ISRG | STE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $414.07 | $209.07 |
| Market cap | $146.28B | $20.38B |
| 1-day change | -0.11% | -0.29% |
| YTD return | -26.81% | -17.29% |
| 1-year return | -5.99% | -13.20% |
| 5-year return | +25.04% | -6.85% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 47.49 | 25.56 |
| Forward P/E | 34.19 | 17.07 |
| EPS (TTM) | $8.72 | $8.18 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.21% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $2.52 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $10.06B | $5.94B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +20.51% | +8.73% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.86B | $782.30M |
| Gross margin | 66.00% | 44.25% |
| Operating margin | 29.27% | 18.56% |
| Net margin | 28.38% | 13.18% |
| 52-week high | $603.88 | $269.44 |
| 52-week low | $328.57 | $195.14 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -31.43% | -22.41% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +15.31% | +25.86% |
| Average volume | 2.92M | 693.80K |
| Shares outstanding | 353.28M | 97.50M |
| Employees | 17,021 | 17,937 |
| Sector | Health Care | 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
- Intuitive Surgical is about 7.2 times larger than STERIS (Ireland) by market value ($146.28B vs $20.38B).
- Intuitive Surgical trades at a higher earnings multiple (47.5x vs 25.6x trailing P/E).
- STERIS (Ireland) offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.21% vs 0.00%).
- Intuitive Surgical is more profitable, keeping 28.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 13.2 cents for STERIS (Ireland).
- Intuitive Surgical grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+20.51% vs +8.73%).
About Intuitive Surgical
ISRG stock →Intuitive Surgical, Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets products that enable physicians and healthcare providers to enhance the quality of and access to minimally invasive care in the United States and internationally.
Health Care · Industrial Specialties · 17,021 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
ISRG vs STE FAQ
Which is bigger, Intuitive Surgical or STERIS (Ireland)?
Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $146.28B compared with $20.38B for STERIS (Ireland) (STE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ISRG or STE?
ISRG returned -5.99% 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, ISRG or STE?
STE has the lower trailing P/E at 25.6, versus 47.5 for ISRG. 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, Intuitive Surgical or STERIS (Ireland)?
STERIS (Ireland) pays a dividend yielding 1.21%, while Intuitive Surgical does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Intuitive Surgical and STERIS (Ireland) in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Specialties industry within the Health Care sector.