BDX vs. PLTR: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at BDX and PLTR, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | BDX | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Becton, Dickinson and Company | Palantir Technologies Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Equipment & Supplies | Software |
| Market Capitalization | 56.17 billion USD | 437.39 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | February 21, 1973 | September 30, 2020 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of BDX and PLTR 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 | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 4.41% | 1.19% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 11.76% | 55.64% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -13.75% | 65.68% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -16.30% | 527.54% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 9.94% | 16.43% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -13.62% | 143.78% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.50M | 70.87M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.14M | 86.83M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 28.09% | 49.05% |
| Beta | 0.26 | 2.64 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
BDX
5.94%
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 5.94% 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.
PLTR
14.64%
Software Industry
- Max
- 59.01%
- Q3
- 21.98%
- Median
- 7.15%
- Q1
- -11.12%
- Min
- -51.24%
PLTR’s Return on Equity of 14.64% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
BDX
7.28%
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 7.28% 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.
PLTR
22.18%
Software Industry
- Max
- 48.14%
- Q3
- 18.23%
- Median
- 5.60%
- Q1
- -9.22%
- Min
- -49.36%
A Net Profit Margin of 22.18% places PLTR in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
BDX
10.79%
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 10.79% 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.
PLTR
16.55%
Software Industry
- Max
- 57.34%
- Q3
- 20.60%
- Median
- 7.84%
- Q1
- -8.72%
- Min
- -51.37%
PLTR’s Operating Profit Margin of 16.55% is around the midpoint for the Software industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | BDX | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 5.94% | 14.64% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.74% | 11.65% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 7.28% | 22.18% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.79% | 16.55% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 44.64% | 80.03% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
BDX
1.13
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 1.13 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.
PLTR
6.32
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.45
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.24
PLTR’s Current Ratio of 6.32 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Software industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
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.
PLTR
0.00
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.14
- Q3
- 0.90
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
PLTR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.00 is typical for the Software 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.
PLTR
-1.53
Software Industry
- Max
- 67.02
- Q3
- 19.86
- Median
- 0.70
- Q1
- -12.50
- Min
- -53.00
PLTR has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -1.53. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | BDX | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.13 | 6.32 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.49 | 6.19 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.76 | 0.00 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 5.93 | -1.53 |
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.
PLTR
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.08%
- Q3
- 0.03%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PLTR 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
75.71%
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 75.71% 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.
PLTR
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 1.32%
- Q3
- 0.53%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PLTR 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 | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.06% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 75.71% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
BDX
36.81
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 36.81 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.
PLTR
573.01
Software Industry
- Max
- 149.35
- Q3
- 100.21
- Median
- 47.97
- Q1
- 26.77
- Min
- 11.68
At 573.01, PLTR’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Software industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
BDX
2.68
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 2.68 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.
PLTR
127.12
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.24
- Q3
- 13.52
- Median
- 8.15
- Q1
- 4.87
- Min
- 0.98
With a P/S Ratio of 127.12, PLTR trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Software industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
BDX
2.61
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 2.61 is within the conventional range for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies 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.
PLTR
54.26
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.95
- Q3
- 14.91
- Median
- 7.75
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- 0.38
At 54.26, PLTR’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Software industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | BDX | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 36.81 | 573.01 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.68 | 127.12 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.61 | 54.26 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 21.58 | 255.97 |