A vs. BDX: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at A and BDX, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | A | BDX |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Agilent Technologies, Inc. | Becton, Dickinson and Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Health Care Equipment & Supplies |
| Market Capitalization | 41.68 billion USD | 55.55 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 18, 1999 | February 21, 1973 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of A and BDX by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | A | BDX |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.31% | 6.28% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 23.17% | -1.48% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 27.20% | 10.09% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 9.34% | -16.51% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.31% | 8.02% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 9.29% | -14.91% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.58M | 3.65M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.67M | 2.32M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 29.31% | 20.94% |
| Beta | 1.28 | 0.23 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
A
19.97%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 23.81%
- Q3
- 11.79%
- Median
- 7.51%
- Q1
- 3.14%
- Min
- -6.95%
In the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, A’s Return on Equity of 19.97% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
BDX
6.63%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 29.82%
- Q3
- 15.54%
- Median
- 9.69%
- Q1
- 5.19%
- Min
- -7.98%
BDX’s Return on Equity of 6.63% is on par with the norm for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
A
17.97%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 33.77%
- Q3
- 17.97%
- Median
- 8.97%
- Q1
- 3.80%
- Min
- -11.89%
A’s Net Profit Margin of 17.97% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
BDX
7.68%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 24.65%
- Q3
- 14.10%
- Median
- 10.09%
- Q1
- 5.84%
- Min
- -6.13%
BDX’s Net Profit Margin of 7.68% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
A
21.26%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 31.55%
- Q3
- 21.26%
- Median
- 14.06%
- Q1
- 8.54%
- Min
- 0.11%
A’s Operating Profit Margin of 21.26% is around the midpoint for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
BDX
11.80%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 31.34%
- Q3
- 18.36%
- Median
- 15.07%
- Q1
- 9.62%
- Min
- -0.13%
BDX’s Operating Profit Margin of 11.80% is around the midpoint for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | A | BDX |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 19.97% | 6.63% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.14% | 3.06% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.97% | 7.68% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.26% | 11.80% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 52.92% | 45.44% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
A
2.25
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 4.76
- Q3
- 2.87
- Median
- 1.75
- Q1
- 1.37
- Min
- 0.57
A’s Current Ratio of 2.25 aligns with the median group of the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
BDX
1.11
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.97
- Q3
- 2.92
- Median
- 2.12
- Q1
- 1.54
- Min
- 0.86
BDX’s Current Ratio of 1.11 falls into the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
A
0.54
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 0.95
- Q3
- 0.70
- Median
- 0.45
- Q1
- 0.18
- Min
- 0.00
A’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.54 is typical for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
BDX
0.76
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.62
- Q3
- 0.74
- Median
- 0.47
- Q1
- 0.15
- Min
- 0.00
BDX’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.76. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
A
254.50
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 45.00
- Q3
- 27.84
- Median
- 7.16
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- -14.08
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 254.50, A demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
BDX
4.27
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 56.35
- Q3
- 24.86
- Median
- 9.84
- Q1
- 3.86
- Min
- -21.65
BDX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.27 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | A | BDX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.25 | 1.11 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.71 | 0.46 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.54 | 0.76 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 254.50 | 4.27 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
A
0.67%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.02%
- Q3
- 0.67%
- Median
- 0.32%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
A’s Dividend Yield of 0.67% is consistent with its peers in the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
BDX
2.15%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.36%
- Q3
- 1.87%
- Median
- 0.82%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.15%, BDX offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
A
22.95%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 97.67%
- Q3
- 61.34%
- Median
- 18.53%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
A’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 22.95% is within the typical range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
BDX
71.28%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 160.00%
- Q3
- 67.77%
- Median
- 28.21%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BDX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 71.28% is in the upper quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | A | BDX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.67% | 2.15% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 22.95% | 71.28% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
A
34.12
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 78.22
- Q3
- 57.42
- Median
- 34.18
- Q1
- 28.39
- Min
- 1.55
A’s P/E Ratio of 34.12 is within the middle range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
BDX
33.11
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 67.59
- Q3
- 41.41
- Median
- 33.11
- Q1
- 22.82
- Min
- 8.68
BDX’s P/E Ratio of 33.11 is within the middle range for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
A
6.13
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 10.69
- Q3
- 6.37
- Median
- 4.95
- Q1
- 3.27
- Min
- 1.04
A’s P/S Ratio of 6.13 aligns with the market consensus for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
BDX
2.54
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 9.49
- Q3
- 5.41
- Median
- 2.92
- Q1
- 1.97
- Min
- 0.61
BDX’s P/S Ratio of 2.54 aligns with the market consensus for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
A
5.12
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 8.12
- Q3
- 5.04
- Median
- 3.94
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- 1.13
A’s P/B Ratio of 5.12 is in the upper tier for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
BDX
2.11
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 10.77
- Q3
- 6.04
- Median
- 3.32
- Q1
- 2.31
- Min
- 0.83
BDX’s P/B Ratio of 2.11 is in the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | A | BDX |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 34.12 | 33.11 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 6.13 | 2.54 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.12 | 2.11 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 38.26 | 20.81 |