Abbott (ABT) vs Medtronic (MDT): Stock Comparison
Data as of November 7, 2026. Refreshed weekly from SEC filings and market data.
Medtronic is cheaper on earnings, at 25.6 times against 40.9; Medtronic keeps the higher net margin (13.9% against 9.8%); revenue growth is about the same (10.0% and 9.8%); dividend yield is about the same (2.2% and 2.7%). Abbott clears 3 of this site's 8 value filters and Medtronic 4. Figures are as of November 7, 2026; each is on the page below with its source.
How do Abbott and Medtronic compare on the numbers?
| Measure | Abbott (ABT) | Medtronic (MDT) | Clearer lead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share price | $109.93 | $101.80 | |
| Market value | $192 billion | $134 billion | |
| P/E ratio (trailing) | 40.9 | 25.6 | MDT |
| PEG ratio | 4.66 | 3.09 | MDT |
| Free-cash-flow yield | 4.1% | 4.6% | About the same |
| Net profit margin | 9.8% | 13.9% | MDT |
| Revenue growth, last year | 10.0% | 9.8% | About the same |
| Return on equity | 10.5% | 10.6% | About the same |
| Debt to equity | 0.64 | 0.56 | MDT |
| Dividend yield | 2.2% | 2.7% | About the same |
| Margin of safety (DCF) | -43.7% | -28.1% | MDT |
| Value filters passed (of 8) | 3 | 4 | MDT |
| Distance from 52-week high | -15.8% | -3.4% |
How have Abbott and Medtronic shares done against each other?
Abbott 87Medtronic 83
Each share price set to 100 on Nov 2021, to Nov 2026. Price only: dividends are not included.
From Nov 2021 to Nov 2026, Abbott shares are down 13% and Medtronic shares down 17%, so Abbott has pulled ahead of Medtronic by 4 points of the starting price. The deepest fall from a prior high in that window was 40% for Abbott and 41% for Medtronic.
| Period | Abbott (ABT) | Medtronic (MDT) |
|---|---|---|
| Last 1 year | -12.0% | +13.0% |
| Last 3 years | +15.7% | +38.7% |
| Last 5 years | -11.6% | -17.2% |
Which has grown faster, Abbott or Medtronic?
Over 5 years, Abbott grew revenue 5.1% a year and earnings per share 8.2% a year; Medtronic grew revenue 3.8% and earnings per share 7.0%. Its net margin averaged 18.6% at Abbott and 13.3% at Medtronic.
| Measure | Abbott (ABT) | Medtronic (MDT) |
|---|---|---|
| Latest fiscal year ended | Dec 2025 | Apr 2026 |
| Revenue, first year to latest | $34.6 billion to $44.3 billion | $30.1 billion to $36.4 billion |
| Revenue growth per year | 5.1% | 3.8% |
| Earnings per share, first year to latest | $2.52 to $3.73 | $2.66 to $3.73 |
| Earnings per share growth per year | 8.2% | 7.0% |
| Net margin, latest year | 14.7% | 13.2% |
| Net margin, average of the years | 18.6% | 13.3% |
| Free cash flow margin, latest year | 16.7% | 14.9% |
From each company's 10-K filings (SEC EDGAR), over its latest 5 years. Fiscal years end in different months, so each is shown for its own latest 5 years.
What growth does each share price assume?
| Measure | Abbott (ABT) | Medtronic (MDT) |
|---|---|---|
| Free cash flow growth the price implies | 17.2% a year | 14.2% a year |
| Free cash flow per share | $4.48 | $4.66 |
| Margin of safety on this site's DCF | -43.7% | -28.1% |
At $109.93, Abbott's price implies free cash flow growth of 17.2% a year, fading to 2.5% over 10 years. That is more growth than the 8% baseline.
At $101.80, Medtronic's price implies free cash flow growth of 14.2% a year, fading to 2.5% over 10 years. That is more growth than the 8% baseline.
The same model and baseline as every stock page. A price that asks for less growth is not a better company, only a lower bar to clear.
Where is each stronger?
Where Abbott leads
- Faster revenue growth over its filed record: 5.1% against 3.8%
- Faster earnings-per-share growth over its filed record: 8.2% against 7.0%
- A higher net margin in its latest filed year: 14.7% against 13.2%
- A higher average net margin: 18.6% against 13.3%
- A higher free-cash-flow margin in its latest filed year: 16.7% against 14.9%
Where Medtronic leads
- Lower P/E: 25.6 against 40.9
- Lower PEG: 3.09 against 4.66
- Higher net margin: 13.9% against 9.8%
- Less debt for its equity: 0.56 against 0.64
- Higher margin of safety on this site's DCF: -28.1% against -43.7%
- More of the 8 value filters: 4 against 3
About the same on: free-cash-flow yield, revenue growth, last year, return on equity, dividend yield. A lead needs a clear gap (10% apart on a ratio, 1 point on a percentage), so a rounding difference never names a winner. A lead on one measure is not a verdict on the company.
How do the businesses differ?
Abbott. Abbott makes medical devices, diagnostic tests, nutrition products and branded generic medicines, including glucose monitors, heart devices, infant formula and lab equipment.
Medtronic. Medtronic is one of the largest medical-device makers, selling heart-rhythm devices, diabetes products, spine and surgical tools, and heart and brain devices. It is incorporated in Ireland and operates from Minneapolis.
Both are in the Health Care industry on this site.
What stands out about Abbott
- Misses 3 of the 8 value filters. It fails Trailing P/E < 25 (40.85), PEG Ratio < 1.5 (4.66) and EPS Growth YoY > -5% (-43.7%); the other 3 pass and 2 were not evaluated.
- The margin of safety is falling. It went from -29% on Oct 7 to -44% on Nov 7 across 8 weekly readings.
- Strongest against peers: dividend yield. At 2.22% (peer median 1.01%) it ranks 4th of 21 among health care stocks this site tracks.
What stands out about Medtronic
- Misses 2 of the 8 value filters. It fails Trailing P/E < 25 (25.63) and PEG Ratio < 1.5 (3.09); the other 4 pass and 2 were not evaluated.
- The margin of safety is falling. It went from -7% on Oct 7 to -28% on Nov 7 across 8 weekly readings.
- Strongest against peers: dividend yield. At 2.72% (peer median 1.01%) it ranks 2nd of 21 among health care stocks this site tracks.
Frequently asked questions about Abbott and Medtronic
Which is cheaper, Abbott or Medtronic?
On trailing earnings, Medtronic is cheaper: Abbott trades at 40.9 times and Medtronic at 25.6 times. On free cash flow, the yields are 4.1% and 4.6%. Cheaper is not the same as better value: read the growth each price assumes below.
Which pays the higher dividend, Abbott or Medtronic?
Their yields are about the same: Abbott 2.2% and Medtronic 2.7% over the last year.
Which has grown faster, Abbott or Medtronic?
Over their latest filed five years, Abbott grew revenue 5.1% a year and Medtronic 3.8%; earnings per share grew 8.2% and 7.0% a year.
Which has more debt, Abbott or Medtronic?
Abbott has more debt for its equity: debt to equity is 0.64 for Abbott and 0.56 for Medtronic. A very high figure can also come from buybacks that shrank equity.
Which is more profitable, Abbott or Medtronic?
Medtronic keeps more of each sales dollar as profit: 9.8% for Abbott and 13.9% for Medtronic, with a return on equity of 10.5% and 10.6%.
Which passes more of the 8 value filters?
Medtronic clears more: Abbott 3 of 8 and Medtronic 4 of 8. The filters are this site's own value rules, not a prediction.
Where do these numbers come from?
Prices, ratios and yield are from this site's weekly data as of November 7, 2026; growth and margins by year are from each company's 10-K filings (sources on Abbott and Medtronic). The DCF is the same model on every stock page. See Editorial Standards. Educational, not investment advice.