Pool (POOL) vs STERIS (Ireland) (STE)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
STERIS (Ireland) (STE) has outperformed Pool (POOL) over the past year, losing 13.0% versus a loss of 47.6%. Over five years, STE leads with a -6.4% price change compared with -65.1% for POOL. STERIS (Ireland) is the larger company by market cap ($20.55 billion vs $5.75 billion), about 3.6 times the size.
On valuation, Pool trades at a lower forward P/E (13.4x vs 17.2x for STERIS (Ireland)). Pool offers the higher dividend yield (3.19% vs 1.20%). STERIS (Ireland) converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.2% 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 | POOL | STE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $158.14 | $210.76 |
| Market cap | $5.75B | $20.55B |
| 1-day change | +2.60% | +0.52% |
| YTD return | -30.87% | -16.87% |
| 1-year return | -47.59% | -13.03% |
| 5-year return | -65.11% | -6.37% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 14.52 | 25.77 |
| Forward P/E | 13.45 | 17.21 |
| EPS (TTM) | $10.89 | $8.18 |
| Dividend yield | 3.19% | 1.20% |
| Annual dividend | $5.05 | $2.52 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $5.29B | $5.94B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -0.41% | +8.73% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $406.40M | $782.30M |
| Gross margin | 29.73% | 44.25% |
| Operating margin | 10.97% | 18.56% |
| Net margin | 7.68% | 13.18% |
| 52-week high | $305.63 | $269.44 |
| 52-week low | $152.70 | $195.14 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -48.26% | -21.78% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +37.22% | +24.85% |
| Average volume | 787.01K | 681.26K |
| Shares outstanding | 36.34M | 97.50M |
| Employees | 6,000 | 17,937 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | 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 3.6 times larger than Pool by market value ($20.55B vs $5.75B).
- STE has outperformed POOL by 34.6 percentage points over the past year.
- STERIS (Ireland) trades at a higher earnings multiple (25.8x vs 14.5x trailing P/E).
- Pool offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.19% vs 1.20%).
- STERIS (Ireland) is more profitable, keeping 13.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 7.7 cents for Pool.
- STERIS (Ireland) grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.73% vs -0.41%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Pool in Consumer Discretionary and STERIS (Ireland) in Health Care.
About Pool
POOL stock →Pool Corporation distributes swimming pool supplies, equipment, related leisure, irrigation, and landscape maintenance products in the United States and internationally. It offers maintenance products, including chemicals, supplies, and pool accessories; repair and replacement parts for pool equipment, such as cleaners, filters, heaters, pumps, and lights; and building materials, such as concrete, plumbing and electrical components, functional and decorative pool surfaces, decking materials, tiles, hardscapes, and natural stones for pool installations and remodeling.
Consumer Discretionary · Industrial Specialties · 6,000 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
POOL vs STE FAQ
Which is bigger, Pool or STERIS (Ireland)?
STERIS (Ireland) (STE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $20.55B compared with $5.75B for Pool (POOL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, POOL or STE?
STE returned -13.03% over the past 12 months, compared with -47.59% for POOL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, POOL or STE?
POOL has the lower trailing P/E at 14.5, versus 25.8 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, Pool or STERIS (Ireland)?
Pool has the higher yield at 3.19%, compared with 1.20% for STERIS (Ireland).
Are Pool and STERIS (Ireland) in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Specialties industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.