A vs. MCK: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at A and MCK, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
MCK’s market capitalization of 89.99 billion USD is significantly greater than A’s 34.48 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
A’s beta of 1.23 points to significantly higher volatility compared to MCK (beta: 0.49), suggesting A has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
| Symbol | A | MCK |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Agilent Technologies, Inc. | McKesson Corporation |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Healthcare | Healthcare |
| Industry | Medical - Diagnostics & Research | Medical - Distribution |
| CEO | Padraig McDonnell | Brian S. Tyler |
| Price | 121.38 USD | 719.3 USD |
| Market Cap | 34.48 billion USD | 89.99 billion USD |
| Beta | 1.23 | 0.49 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| IPO Date | November 18, 1999 | November 10, 1994 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of A and MCK 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.
MCK
-132.73%
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 12.20%
- Q3
- 12.03%
- Median
- -50.14%
- Q1
- -62.68%
- Min
- -132.73%
MCK has a negative Return on Equity of -132.73%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
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.
MCK
26.59%
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 26.59%
- Q3
- 11.51%
- Median
- 7.70%
- Q1
- -0.02%
- Min
- -5.86%
In the upper quartile for the Medical - Distribution industry, MCK’s Return on Invested Capital of 26.59% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
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.
MCK
0.92%
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 3.21%
- Q3
- 2.07%
- Median
- 0.70%
- Q1
- -1.43%
- Min
- -6.29%
MCK’s Net Profit Margin of 0.92% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Medical - Distribution 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.
MCK
1.24%
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 5.22%
- Q3
- 3.23%
- Median
- 1.07%
- Q1
- -0.39%
- Min
- -4.51%
MCK’s Operating Profit Margin of 1.24% is around the midpoint for the Medical - Distribution industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | A | MCK |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 19.46% | -132.73% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.59% | 4.39% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 11.71% | 26.59% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.59% | 0.92% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.38% | 1.24% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 53.79% | 3.66% |
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.
MCK
0.90
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 1.38
- Q3
- 1.26
- Median
- 1.13
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.87
MCK’s Current Ratio of 0.90 falls into the lower quartile for the Medical - Distribution 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
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.
MCK
-3.56
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 0.97
- Q3
- 0.97
- Median
- 0.65
- Q1
- 0.04
- Min
- 0.03
MCK has a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of -3.56, which indicates negative shareholder equity where liabilities exceed assets. This is a critical sign of financial distress.
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.
MCK
25.45
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 25.45
- Q3
- 12.43
- Median
- 7.07
- Q1
- 1.82
- Min
- -1.21
MCK’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 25.45 is in the upper quartile for the Medical - Distribution industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | A | MCK |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 2.09 | 0.90 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.60 | 0.53 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.57 | -3.56 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.29 | 0.10 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 1.43 | 0.33 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -472.33 | 25.45 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for A and MCK. 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.
MCK
0.39%
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 1.21%
- Q3
- 0.56%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MCK’s Dividend Yield of 0.39% is consistent with its peers in the Medical - Distribution industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
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.
MCK
10.47%
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 31.84%
- Q3
- 21.47%
- Median
- 5.24%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MCK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 10.47% is within the typical range for the Medical - Distribution industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | A | MCK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.81% | 0.39% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 23.76% | 10.47% |
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.
MCK
27.33
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 34.27
- Q3
- 27.58
- Median
- 25.75
- Q1
- 22.28
- Min
- 18.73
MCK’s P/E Ratio of 27.33 is within the middle range for the Medical - Distribution industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
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.
MCK
2.11
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 3.40
- Q3
- 2.79
- Median
- 2.36
- Q1
- 2.08
- Min
- 1.94
MCK’s Forward PEG Ratio of 2.11 is within the middle range of its peers in the Medical - Distribution industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.
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.
MCK
0.25
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 1.08
- Q3
- 0.89
- Median
- 0.25
- Q1
- 0.18
- Min
- 0.06
MCK’s P/S Ratio of 0.25 aligns with the market consensus for the Medical - Distribution 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.
MCK
-43.42
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 8.13
- Q3
- 8.13
- Median
- 2.74
- Q1
- 2.19
- Min
- 1.20
MCK has a negative P/B Ratio of -43.42, indicating its liabilities exceed its assets and result in negative shareholder equity. This is a critical warning sign of financial distress.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | A | MCK |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 29.67 | 27.33 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 3.80 | 2.11 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 5.20 | 0.25 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 5.64 | -43.42 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 24.63 | 16.04 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 25.95 | 17.87 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 5.51 | 0.26 |