Becton Dickinson and Co vs Dow Inc — how do they compare? Becton Dickinson and Co trades at $181.29 (market cap $48.93B), while Dow Inc trades at $31.29 (market cap $22.09B). The key difference: Becton Dickinson and Co is far larger — about 2.2× Dow Inc's market cap, and Dow Inc pays the higher dividend (4.58%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| BDX | DOW | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $48.93B | $22.09B |
Sector | Health | Basic Materials |
52-Week High | $185.39 | $41.87 |
52-Week Low | $138.62 | $20.65 |
Enterprise Value | $65.03B | $37.78B |
Dividend Yield | 2.34% | 4.58% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
BDX (Becton, Dickinson and Company) trades at $176.86, down 0.12% on the day, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages and strong earnings beats in recent quarters. The company reported Q3 2026 revenue of $5.0 billion, up 4.4% FX-neutral, and raised full-year guidance, though margins faced pressure. Analyst sentiment is mixed with a consensus price target of $183.00, while institutional ownership remains stable amid positive news on GLP-1 therapy expansions and dividend declarations.
The stock offers steady growth potential with a 2.7% dividend yield and consistent earnings outperformance, but risks include margin compression, regulatory recalls, and high valuation multiples. Near-term resistance at $180 and support at $173 will test bullish momentum, with the current price near the consensus target suggesting limited upside without further catalysts.
DOW trades at $29.34, down 3.17% today, with technical indicators showing bearish momentum. The company faces fundamental challenges with negative net income margin of -3.13% and declining revenue from $56.9B in 2022 to $40.0B in 2025. Recent earnings beats provide some optimism, but cash flow from operations has weakened significantly from $7.5B in 2022 to $1.0B in 2025. The stock trades near the lower end of analyst price targets with consensus at $35.11.
DOW presents a mixed investment case with valuation metrics showing potential undervaluation (P/S 0.51) offset by profitability concerns. The chemical sector faces cyclical pressures, but recent dividend payments and earnings beats suggest operational resilience. Key risks include continued revenue decline and high debt levels approaching 30% of assets. Analyst sentiment remains cautious with only 33% buy ratings.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Becton, Dickinson is the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of medical surgical products, such as needles, syringes, and sharps-disposal units. The company also manufactures diagnostic instruments and reagents, as well as flow cytometry and cell-imaging systems. BD Interventional (largely the former Bard business) accounts for 23% of revenue. International revenue accounts for 44% of the company's business.
Read more on BDX →Dow Inc is a diversified chemical manufacturing company. It combining science and technology to develop innovative solutions that are essential to human progress. Dow's portfolio is comprised of six global business units, organized into three operating segments: Packaging & Specialty Plastics, Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure, and Performance Materials & Coatings.
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