BDX vs. CNC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at BDX and CNC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | BDX | CNC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Becton, Dickinson and Company | Centene Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Equipment & Supplies | Health Care Providers & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 57.10 billion USD | 14.44 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 21, 1973 | December 13, 2001 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of BDX and CNC 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 | BDX | CNC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.06% | 9.17% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 12.90% | -52.23% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -12.32% | -48.25% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -16.21% | -62.45% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 11.10% | 12.77% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -12.71% | -51.47% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.02M | 14.61M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.05M | 11.74M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 26.20% | 89.08% |
| Beta | 0.26 | 0.42 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
BDX
6.31%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 34.53%
- Q3
- 19.38%
- Median
- 9.52%
- Q1
- 4.86%
- Min
- -7.58%
BDX’s Return on Equity of 6.31% 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.
CNC
7.53%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 26.03%
- Q3
- 13.74%
- Median
- 8.26%
- Q1
- 4.13%
- Min
- -3.62%
CNC’s Return on Equity of 7.53% is on par with the norm for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
BDX
7.51%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 23.34%
- Q3
- 13.06%
- Median
- 9.53%
- Q1
- 5.96%
- Min
- -3.87%
BDX’s Net Profit Margin of 7.51% 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.
CNC
1.15%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 12.40%
- Q3
- 5.93%
- Median
- 1.96%
- Q1
- 0.93%
- Min
- -6.10%
CNC’s Net Profit Margin of 1.15% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
BDX
11.83%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 29.44%
- Q3
- 17.80%
- Median
- 13.95%
- Q1
- 8.73%
- Min
- -3.56%
BDX’s Operating Profit Margin of 11.83% 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.
CNC
1.08%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.05%
- Q3
- 10.21%
- Median
- 4.22%
- Q1
- 1.98%
- Min
- -4.27%
CNC’s Operating Profit Margin of 1.08% is in the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | BDX | CNC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 6.31% | 7.53% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.90% | 2.43% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 7.51% | 1.15% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 11.83% | 1.08% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 45.08% | 8.93% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
BDX
1.10
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.90
- Q3
- 3.05
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.49
- Min
- 0.86
BDX’s Current Ratio of 1.10 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.
CNC
1.10
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.01
- Q3
- 1.49
- Median
- 1.30
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.17
CNC’s Current Ratio of 1.10 aligns with the median group of the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
BDX
0.76
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.49
- Q3
- 0.71
- Median
- 0.45
- Q1
- 0.14
- 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.
CNC
0.64
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.17
- Q3
- 1.18
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.00
CNC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.64 is typical for the Health Care Providers & 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 (TTM)
BDX
5.93
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 58.29
- Q3
- 25.56
- Median
- 9.06
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- -28.92
BDX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.93 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
CNC
7.06
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.15
- Median
- 5.45
- Q1
- 2.04
- Min
- -4.44
CNC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.06 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | BDX | CNC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.10 | 1.10 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.46 | 1.10 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.76 | 0.64 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 5.93 | 7.06 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
BDX
2.06%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.05%
- Q3
- 1.76%
- Median
- 0.71%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.06%, 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.
CNC
0.00%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.38%
- Q3
- 2.22%
- Median
- 0.55%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CNC currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
BDX
73.10%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 160.00%
- Q3
- 72.47%
- Median
- 27.49%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BDX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 73.10% 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.
CNC
0.00%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 186.69%
- Q3
- 74.82%
- Median
- 26.76%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CNC has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | BDX | CNC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.06% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 73.10% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
BDX
35.44
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 73.48
- Q3
- 51.69
- Median
- 34.31
- Q1
- 25.74
- Min
- 11.47
BDX’s P/E Ratio of 35.44 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.
CNC
7.07
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 55.89
- Q3
- 30.85
- Median
- 21.17
- Q1
- 12.63
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, CNC’s P/E Ratio of 7.07 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
BDX
2.66
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 9.53
- Q3
- 5.26
- Median
- 3.39
- Q1
- 2.13
- Min
- 0.00
BDX’s P/S Ratio of 2.66 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.
CNC
0.08
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.10
- Q3
- 1.74
- Median
- 0.67
- Q1
- 0.24
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, CNC’s P/S Ratio of 0.08 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
BDX
1.94
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 10.85
- Q3
- 5.98
- Median
- 3.48
- Q1
- 2.43
- Min
- 0.69
BDX’s P/B Ratio of 1.94 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.
CNC
0.99
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.61
- Q3
- 4.32
- Median
- 2.53
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.77
CNC’s P/B Ratio of 0.99 is in the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services 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 | BDX | CNC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 35.44 | 7.07 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.66 | 0.08 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.94 | 0.99 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 22.32 | 4.92 |