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Hikma Pharmaceuticals vs STERIS: Which Stock Looks Stronger in 2026?

The structural profiles are close, with Hikma Pharmaceuticals carrying a narrow edge on stability. STERIS still has the edge on stability, which keeps the comparison from looking entirely one-sided. Both sides have seen trend damage — neither carries a clear market edge right now. With both trends damaged, the structural comparison carries most of the weight here.

The comparison is based on similar long-term financial trajectories, not sector labels.

Updated 2026-04-05

On stability, the clearer edge sits with STERIS plc, while the overall score remains tighter and points the other way.

Trajectory Similarity
0.65
Moderately similar
Peer-set rank: #47
within Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC's functional peer set

These two companies are linked by measured long-term financial trajectory similarity within the selected peer universe.

A moderate similarity means the pair is structurally comparable, but not a near-twin trajectory match.

The match is driven mainly by revenue stability and capital structure.

Similarity drivers
revenue stabilitycapital structure
How to read the score
0.85–1.00 · Very similar0.70–0.84 · Similar0.55–0.69 · Moderately similarbelow 0.55 · Loose match
Peer-Relative Score
HIK.L
Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC
53
Peer-Score
Signal qualityMedium
vs
STE
STERIS plc
48
Peer-Score
Signal qualityHigh

Scores reflect position relative to comparable companies with similar long-term financial trajectories.

The clearest separation appears in stability.

Dimension spread: HIK.L vs STE Profitability 39 22 Stability 32 69 Valuation 87 58 Growth 44 50 HIK.L STE
Gap Ranking
#1 Stability +37
#2 Valuation +29
#3 Profitability +17
#4 Growth +6
Price Setup

Left means cheaper relative valuation. Higher means stronger structure.

Price setup map for HIK.L and STE Stronger + cheaper Stronger + richer Weaker + cheaper Weaker + richer HIK.LSTE Relative valuation Structural strength

STERIS plc still looks cheaper, even though Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC remains structurally stronger.

Valuation position uses peer-relative PE percentile (idx_pct_pe) where available.

Relative Position vs Comparable Companies
Stability
On stability, STERIS plc ranks near the top of the group; Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC sits in the weaker half.
Valuation
On valuation, the same pattern holds: both are strong, but Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC still leads clearly.
Stability — Dominant Gap
HIK.L
32
STE
69
Gap+37in favour of STE

The stability gap is wide, with the stronger side looking materially steadier through time.

What keeps the gap from being one-sided

STERIS plc still shows lower market-fundamental divergence, which keeps the wider picture mixed rather than completely one-sided.

What this means for the comparison

Stability is the clearest driver of the lead, with valuation adding further support — though stability still provides a real counterweight.

Explore full peer positioning in AssetNext

Break down the HIK.L vs STE comparison across all dimensions with the full interactive tool.

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Other comparisons with conflicting dimension signals

Explore how HIK.L and STE each compare against other companies in their peer groups.

Rule-based, descriptive analysis only. Derived from peer percentile dimensions. Not investment advice. Peer groups are determined algorithmically based on structural similarity — not by sector classification alone.

How AssetNext Peer Scores Work

AssetNext scores reflect each company's structural position within its functional peer group — not a ranking against all stocks simultaneously. Peers are identified by similarity across eight financial dimensions, including revenue growth trajectory, margin structure, capital intensity, and earnings stability. A score of 75 means the company ranks in the top quartile within its own peer group, not the entire market.

Four dimension scores drive the overall peer score: Growth (revenue trajectory and expansion dynamics), Quality (margin structure and capital efficiency), Valuation (peer-relative pricing on standard multiples), and Stability (earnings consistency and financial predictability). Each dimension is scored 0–100 relative to the peer group, then combined into an overall peer score using equal weighting.

Scores are recalculated periodically as underlying financial data is updated. All analysis is descriptive and rule-based — AssetNext describes structural realities and never issues buy, sell or hold recommendations.