A vs. LH: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at A and LH, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
A’s market capitalization of 34.48 billion USD is substantially larger than LH’s 21.91 billion USD, indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
A’s beta of 1.23 points to significantly higher volatility compared to LH (beta: 0.79), suggesting A has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
| Symbol | A | LH |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Agilent Technologies, Inc. | Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Healthcare | Healthcare |
| Industry | Medical - Diagnostics & Research | Medical - Equipment & Services |
| CEO | Padraig McDonnell | Adam H. Schechter |
| Price | 121.38 USD | 261.89 USD |
| Market Cap | 34.48 billion USD | 21.91 billion USD |
| Beta | 1.23 | 0.79 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| IPO Date | November 18, 1999 | March 29, 1990 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of A and LH 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.
Profitability
Return on Equity
A
19.46%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 57.35%
- Q3
- 18.17%
- Median
- 2.69%
- Q1
- -16.72%
- Min
- -48.78%
In the upper quartile for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, A’s Return on Equity of 19.46% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
LH
8.98%
Medical - Equipment & Services Industry
- Max
- 34.18%
- Q3
- 15.28%
- Median
- -14.21%
- Q1
- -42.39%
- Min
- -57.31%
LH’s Return on Equity of 8.98% is on par with the norm for the Medical - Equipment & Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Return on Invested Capital
A
11.71%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 42.99%
- Q3
- 11.55%
- Median
- 3.02%
- Q1
- -11.49%
- Min
- -40.79%
In the upper quartile for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, A’s Return on Invested Capital of 11.71% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
LH
5.48%
Medical - Equipment & Services Industry
- Max
- 9.06%
- Q3
- 6.37%
- Median
- 4.11%
- Q1
- -1.97%
- Min
- -14.49%
LH’s Return on Invested Capital of 5.48% is in line with the norm for the Medical - Equipment & Services industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
Net Profit Margin
A
17.59%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 22.76%
- Q3
- 15.19%
- Median
- 1.64%
- Q1
- -22.25%
- Min
- -78.24%
A Net Profit Margin of 17.59% places A in the upper quartile for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
LH
5.55%
Medical - Equipment & Services Industry
- Max
- 8.09%
- Q3
- 6.18%
- Median
- -19.68%
- Q1
- -59.13%
- Min
- -101.82%
LH’s Net Profit Margin of 5.55% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Medical - Equipment & Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin
A
21.38%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 36.06%
- Q3
- 20.26%
- Median
- 6.15%
- Q1
- -21.89%
- Min
- -82.21%
An Operating Profit Margin of 21.38% places A in the upper quartile for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
LH
8.37%
Medical - Equipment & Services Industry
- Max
- 16.01%
- Q3
- 10.28%
- Median
- 6.69%
- Q1
- -15.48%
- Min
- -54.12%
LH’s Operating Profit Margin of 8.37% is around the midpoint for the Medical - Equipment & Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | A | LH |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 19.46% | 8.98% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.59% | 4.15% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 11.71% | 5.48% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.59% | 5.55% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.38% | 8.37% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 53.79% | 27.42% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
A
2.09
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 6.91
- Q3
- 4.11
- Median
- 2.46
- Q1
- 1.44
- Min
- 0.73
A’s Current Ratio of 2.09 aligns with the median group of the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
LH
1.84
Medical - Equipment & Services Industry
- Max
- 11.42
- Q3
- 5.56
- Median
- 1.98
- Q1
- 1.65
- Min
- 1.10
LH’s Current Ratio of 1.84 aligns with the median group of the Medical - Equipment & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
A
0.57
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 1.10
- Q3
- 0.82
- Median
- 0.39
- Q1
- 0.21
- Min
- 0.01
A’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.57 is typical for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
LH
0.78
Medical - Equipment & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.69
- Q3
- 1.01
- Median
- 0.65
- Q1
- 0.39
- Min
- 0.02
LH’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.78 is typical for the Medical - Equipment & Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio
A
-472.33
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 37.07
- Q3
- 5.62
- Median
- 1.76
- Q1
- -38.78
- Min
- -57.46
A has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -472.33. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
LH
6.83
Medical - Equipment & Services Industry
- Max
- 9.03
- Q3
- 7.93
- Median
- 6.83
- Q1
- 5.29
- Min
- 3.75
LH’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.83 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Medical - Equipment & Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | A | LH |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 2.09 | 1.84 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.60 | 1.60 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.57 | 0.78 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.29 | 0.37 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 1.43 | 3.41 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -472.33 | 6.83 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for A and LH. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
A
0.81%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 2.76%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 0.81%, A offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
LH
1.10%
Medical - Equipment & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.11%
- Q3
- 0.72%
- Median
- 0.30%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 1.10%, LH offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Medical - Equipment & Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio
A
23.76%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 37.46%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
A’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 23.76% is in the upper quartile for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research 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.
LH
33.20%
Medical - Equipment & Services Industry
- Max
- 987.07%
- Q3
- 271.66%
- Median
- 16.60%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
LH’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 33.20% is within the typical range for the Medical - Equipment & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | A | LH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.81% | 1.10% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 23.76% | 33.20% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
A
29.67
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 48.28
- Q3
- 44.64
- Median
- 29.13
- Q1
- 22.34
- Min
- 15.59
A’s P/E Ratio of 29.67 is within the middle range for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
LH
29.96
Medical - Equipment & Services Industry
- Max
- 29.81
- Q3
- 26.64
- Median
- 23.46
- Q1
- 20.29
- Min
- 17.12
At 29.96, LH’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Medical - Equipment & Services industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
A
3.80
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 4.18
- Q3
- 3.64
- Median
- 2.40
- Q1
- 0.57
- Min
- 0.04
A Forward PEG Ratio of 3.80 places A in the upper quartile for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry. This suggests the stock is potentially expensive compared to its peers relative to its growth forecast, which may warrant caution.
LH
4.04
Medical - Equipment & Services Industry
- Max
- 4.02
- Q3
- 2.55
- Median
- 1.08
- Q1
- 0.70
- Min
- 0.33
LH’s Forward PEG Ratio of 4.04 is exceptionally high for the Medical - Equipment & Services industry. This suggests its stock price is very high relative to its expected earnings growth, signaling significant overvaluation risk.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
A
5.20
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 12.53
- Q3
- 6.19
- Median
- 3.58
- Q1
- 1.95
- Min
- 0.58
A’s P/S Ratio of 5.20 aligns with the market consensus for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
LH
1.66
Medical - Equipment & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.06
- Q3
- 3.65
- Median
- 1.53
- Q1
- 1.38
- Min
- 1.33
LH’s P/S Ratio of 1.66 aligns with the market consensus for the Medical - Equipment & Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio
A
5.64
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 10.67
- Q3
- 5.74
- Median
- 2.95
- Q1
- 1.30
- Min
- 0.39
The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry.
LH
2.64
Medical - Equipment & Services Industry
- Max
- 8.29
- Q3
- 4.15
- Median
- 2.05
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 1.12
LH’s P/B Ratio of 2.64 is within the conventional range for the Medical - Equipment & Services industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | A | LH |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 29.67 | 29.96 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 3.80 | 4.04 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 5.20 | 1.66 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 5.64 | 2.64 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 24.63 | 19.02 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 25.95 | 15.58 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 5.51 | 2.13 |