DHR vs. LLY: Danaher vs. Eli Lilly Stock Comparison

November 11, 2026

How do Danaher (DHR) and Eli Lilly (LLY) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Danaher (DHR) and Eli Lilly (LLY) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but DHR is classified in Life Sciences Tools & Services while LLY is classified in Pharmaceuticals.

Company profile comparison for Danaher (DHR) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
Profile Item	DHR	LLY
Name	Danaher Corp.	Eli Lilly and Company
Country/Region	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Health Care	Health Care
GICS Industry Group	Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences	Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS Industry	Life Sciences Tools & Services	Pharmaceuticals
GICS Sub-Industry	Life Sciences Tools & Services	Pharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization	161.86 billion USD	1,206.07 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	December 29, 1978	June 1, 1972
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

DHR

LLY

GSPC

Danaher (DHR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Danaher (DHR) and Eli Lilly (LLY). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Danaher (DHR) and Eli Lilly (LLY). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Danaher (DHR) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
Metric	DHR	LLY
Total Return (1Y)	11.88%	52.36%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	6.67%	34.18%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	-2.05%	41.08%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

DHR

LLY

GSPC

Danaher (DHR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Danaher (DHR) and Eli Lilly (LLY). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Danaher (DHR) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
Metric	DHR	LLY
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	30.61%	35.34%
Beta (5Y)	0.76	0.40
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-43.31%	-34.48%
Avg. Volume (3M)	3.94M	2.52M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

DHR and LLY are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Danaher (DHR) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
Metric	DHR	LLY
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	0.25	1.36
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	0.35	2.29

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both Danaher (DHR) at 8.19% and Eli Lilly (LLY) at 86.02% sit in the top peer quartile for ROE, suggesting each generates more profit from shareholders’ equity than typical industry peers.

DHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

8.19%

Max: 109.18%
DHR: 8.19%
Q3: 6.23%
Median: -26.66%
Q1: -64.05%
Min: -167.77%

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

86.02%

Max: 109.18%
LLY: 86.02%
Q3: 6.23%
Median: -26.66%
Q1: -64.05%
Min: -167.77%

Danaher (DHR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Eli Lilly (LLY) at 31.90% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s net margin range — and Danaher (DHR) at 16.91% also retains a top-quartile share.

DHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

16.91%

Max: 18.05%
DHR: 16.91%
Q3: 4.78%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -4.14%
Min: -17.05%

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

31.90%

LLY: 31.90%
Max: 18.05%
Q3: 4.78%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -4.14%
Min: -17.05%

Danaher (DHR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Danaher (DHR) at 21.13% and Eli Lilly (LLY) at 53.66% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.

DHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

21.13%

Max: 83.12%
DHR: 21.13%
Q3: 14.77%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -78.82%
Min: -207.40%

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

53.66%

Max: 83.12%
LLY: 53.66%
Q3: 14.77%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -78.82%
Min: -207.40%

Danaher (DHR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Danaher (DHR) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
Metric	DHR	LLY
ROE (TTM)	8.19%	86.02%
ROA (TTM)	4.06%	21.06%
Net Margin (TTM)	16.91%	31.90%
Operating Margin (TTM)	21.13%	53.66%
Gross Margin (TTM)	59.36%	83.63%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Danaher (DHR) at 2.90% and Eli Lilly (LLY) at 44.70% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

Danaher (DHR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Eli Lilly (LLY) at 95.99% sits in the top EPS growth quartile, while Danaher (DHR) at -4.54% is closer to the peer norm — faster per-share earnings growth for LLY.

Danaher (DHR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Danaher (DHR) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
Metric	DHR	LLY
Revenue Growth (YoY)	2.90%	44.70%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	-2.67%	31.69%
EPS Growth (YoY)	-4.54%	95.99%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	-19.44%	51.71%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Danaher (DHR) at 1.63 and Eli Lilly (LLY) at 1.39 run current ratio in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.

DHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.63

Max: 25.13
Q3: 12.13
Median: 5.52
Q1: 2.47
DHR: 1.63
Min: 0.10

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.39

Max: 25.13
Q3: 12.13
Median: 5.52
Q1: 2.47
LLY: 1.39
Min: 0.10

Danaher (DHR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Danaher (DHR) at 0.52 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Eli Lilly (LLY) at 1.23 uses more debt funding than most peers.

DHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.52

Max: 1.42
Q3: 0.65
DHR: 0.52
Median: 0.15
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.23

Max: 1.42
LLY: 1.23
Q3: 0.65
Median: 0.15
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00

Danaher (DHR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Danaher (DHR) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
Metric	DHR	LLY
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.63	1.39
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	0.52	1.23
Net Debt / EBITDA	2.68	0.96

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both Danaher (DHR) at 0.67% and Eli Lilly (LLY) at 0.49% yield above their industries’ entire benchmark ranges — high enough that dividend safety, not income, becomes the first question.

DHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.67%

DHR: 0.67%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.49%

LLY: 0.49%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Danaher (DHR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Both Danaher (DHR) at 25.17% and Eli Lilly (LLY) at 21.71% pay out more of their earnings than any of their industry peers — the thinnest cover in their groups, so dividend headroom deserves attention.

DHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

25.17%

DHR: 25.17%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

21.71%

LLY: 21.71%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Danaher (DHR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Danaher (DHR) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
Metric	DHR	LLY
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.67%	0.49%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	25.17%	21.71%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Danaher (DHR) at 38.12 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Eli Lilly (LLY) at 43.95 sits in the richer quartile — LLY needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.

DHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

38.12

Max: 85.34
Q3: 43.46
DHR: 38.12
Median: 26.69
Q1: 13.30
Min: 0.07

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

43.95

Max: 85.34
LLY: 43.95
Q3: 43.46
Median: 26.69
Q1: 13.30
Min: 0.07

Danaher (DHR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

On P/S ratio, both Danaher (DHR) at 6.32 and Eli Lilly (LLY) at 13.95 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.

DHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

6.32

Max: 58.18
Q3: 25.77
Median: 7.30
DHR: 6.32
Q1: 3.01
Min: 0.01

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

13.95

Max: 58.18
Q3: 25.77
LLY: 13.95
Median: 7.30
Q1: 3.01
Min: 0.01

Danaher (DHR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Danaher (DHR) at 3.02 sits near its industry’s typical P/B ratio, while Eli Lilly (LLY) at 29.96 prices above its benchmark range — LLY looks rich relative to book.

DHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

3.02

Max: 13.53
Q3: 6.54
Median: 3.25
DHR: 3.02
Q1: 1.69
Min: -5.59

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

29.96

LLY: 29.96
Max: 13.53
Q3: 6.54
Median: 3.25
Q1: 1.69
Min: -5.59

Danaher (DHR) vs. Eli Lilly (LLY): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Danaher (DHR) and Eli Lilly (LLY)
Metric	DHR	LLY
P/E Ratio (TTM)	38.12	43.95
P/S Ratio (TTM)	6.32	13.95
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	3.02	29.96
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	2.93%	0.77%