STERIS (Ireland) (STE) vs Stryker (SYK)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
STERIS (Ireland) (STE) has outperformed Stryker (SYK) over the past year, losing 13.2% versus a loss of 25.4%. Over five years, SYK leads with a +3.4% price change compared with -6.8% for STE. Stryker is the larger company by market cap ($105.64 billion vs $20.44 billion), about 5.2 times the size.
On valuation, Stryker trades at a lower forward P/E (16.5x vs 17.1x for STERIS (Ireland)). Stryker offers the higher dividend yield (1.26% vs 1.20%). STERIS (Ireland) converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.2% versus 12.9%.
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 | STE | SYK |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $209.68 | $275.40 |
| Market cap | $20.44B | $105.64B |
| 1-day change | +0.49% | -1.01% |
| YTD return | -17.29% | -21.64% |
| 1-year return | -13.20% | -25.41% |
| 5-year return | -6.85% | +3.41% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 25.63 | 28.84 |
| Forward P/E | 17.12 | 16.49 |
| EPS (TTM) | $8.18 | $9.55 |
| Dividend yield | 1.20% | 1.26% |
| Annual dividend | $2.52 | $3.48 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $5.94B | $25.12B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.73% | +11.16% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $782.30M | $3.25B |
| Gross margin | 44.25% | 63.96% |
| Operating margin | 18.56% | 19.47% |
| Net margin | 13.18% | 12.92% |
| 52-week high | $269.44 | $392.55 |
| 52-week low | $195.14 | $267.00 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -22.18% | -29.84% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +25.49% | +32.95% |
| Average volume | 694.18K | 2.64M |
| Shares outstanding | 97.50M | 383.57M |
| Employees | 17,937 | 56,000 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Industrial Specialties | 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
- Stryker is about 5.2 times larger than STERIS (Ireland) by market value ($105.64B vs $20.44B).
- STE has outperformed SYK by 12.2 percentage points over the past year.
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
About Stryker
SYK stock →Stryker Corporation operates as a medical technology company in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments, MedSurg and Neurotechnology, and Orthopaedics.
Health Care · Medical/Dental Instruments · 56,000 employees
STE vs SYK FAQ
Which is bigger, STERIS (Ireland) or Stryker?
Stryker (SYK) is larger, with a market capitalization of $105.64B compared with $20.44B for STERIS (Ireland) (STE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, STE or SYK?
STE returned -13.20% over the past 12 months, compared with -25.41% for SYK (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, STE or SYK?
STE has the lower trailing P/E at 25.6, versus 28.8 for SYK. 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, STERIS (Ireland) or Stryker?
Stryker has the higher yield at 1.26%, compared with 1.20% for STERIS (Ireland).
Are STERIS (Ireland) and Stryker in the same industry?
Both are in the Health Care sector, but in different industries: Industrial Specialties for STERIS (Ireland) and Medical/Dental Instruments for Stryker.