BDX vs. NDSN
BDX (Becton, Dickinson and Company) and NDSN (Nordson Corporation) are both stocks. BDX operates in Medical Instruments & Supplies (Healthcare), while NDSN operates in Specialty Industrial Machinery (Industrials). Over the past 10 years, BDX returned 3.64%/yr vs 14.17%/yr for NDSN. Their 0.29 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship.
Performance
BDX vs. NDSN - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BDX achieves a 10.02% return, which is significantly lower than NDSN's 24.59% return. Over the past 10 years, BDX has underperformed NDSN with an annualized return of 3.64%, while NDSN has yielded a comparatively higher 14.17% annualized return.
BDX
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- 8.32%
- 6M
- 4.93%
- YTD
- 10.02%
- 1Y
- 21.09%
- 3Y*
- -7.08%
- 5Y*
- -1.63%
- 10Y*
- 3.64%
- ALL TIME*
- 11.03%
NDSN
- 1D
- 0.86%
- 1M
- 0.72%
- 6M
- 9.11%
- YTD
- 24.59%
- 1Y
- 40.84%
- 3Y*
- 7.26%
- 5Y*
- 6.89%
- 10Y*
- 14.17%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.79%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $276.16M | $275.16M | $398.21M | |
| $85.17M | $95.37M | $115.39M |
BDX vs. NDSN - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BDX Becton, Dickinson and Company | 10.02% | -12.61% | -5.38% | -2.67% | 5.08% | 1.88% | -6.75% | 22.20% | 6.61% | 31.24% |
NDSN Nordson Corporation | 24.59% | 17.03% | -20.15% | 12.39% | -5.93% | 28.09% | 24.45% | 37.88% | -17.65% | 31.83% |
Correlation
The correlation between BDX and NDSN is 0.38, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.38 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.40 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.39 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.37 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 1990 | 0.29 |
The correlation between BDX and NDSN shifts across timeframes, from 0.29 (all time) to 0.40 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
BDX:
$60.00B
NDSN:
$16.59B
BDX:
$4.00
NDSN:
$9.39
BDX:
41.37
NDSN:
31.70
BDX:
2.20
NDSN:
5.77
BDX:
1.93
NDSN:
5.22
BDX:
$21.37B
NDSN:
$2.90B
BDX:
$9.93B
NDSN:
$1.60B
BDX:
$4.16B
NDSN:
$744.50M
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Return for Risk
BDX vs. NDSN — Risk / Return Rank
BDX
NDSN
BDX vs. NDSN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) and Nordson Corporation (NDSN). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| BDX | NDSN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.13 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.24 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.16 | 1.32 | -0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.92 | 2.90 | -1.98 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.85 | 9.26 | -7.41 |
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Drawdowns
BDX vs. NDSN - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BDX drawdown since its inception was -51.17%, smaller than the maximum NDSN drawdown of -73.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BDX and NDSN.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BDX | NDSN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -51.17% | -73.62% | +22.45% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -23.08% | -14.15% | -8.93% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -39.86% | -39.15% | -0.71% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -40.06% | -39.15% | -0.91% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -40.06% | -44.24% | +4.18% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -21.19% | -2.25% | -18.94% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.63% | -13.21% | +1.58% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 11.44% | 4.43% | +7.01% |
Volatility
BDX vs. NDSN - Volatility Comparison
Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) has a higher volatility of 9.69% compared to Nordson Corporation (NDSN) at 6.14%. This indicates that BDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NDSN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BDX | NDSN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.69% | 6.14% | +3.55% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.41% | 16.48% | +3.93% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.99% | 21.42% | +5.57% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.84% | 24.88% | -1.04% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.82% | 28.38% | -4.56% |
Dividends
BDX vs. NDSN - Dividend Comparison
BDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.26%, more than NDSN's 1.10% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BDX Becton, Dickinson and Company | 2.26% | 2.15% | 1.71% | 1.51% | 1.38% | 1.34% | 1.28% | 1.14% | 1.34% | 1.37% | 1.64% | 1.60% |
NDSN Nordson Corporation | 1.10% | 1.66% | 1.02% | 1.01% | 0.98% | 0.71% | 0.77% | 0.90% | 1.09% | 0.78% | 0.91% | 1.43% |
Financials
BDX vs. NDSN - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Becton, Dickinson and Company and Nordson Corporation. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
BDX vs. NDSN - Profitability Comparison
BDX - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Becton, Dickinson and Company reported a gross profit of 2.15B and revenue of 4.71B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 45.7%.
NDSN - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Nordson Corporation reported a gross profit of 404.08M and revenue of 740.85M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 54.5%.
BDX - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Becton, Dickinson and Company reported an operating income of 94.00M and revenue of 4.71B, resulting in an operating margin of 2.0%.
NDSN - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Nordson Corporation reported an operating income of 197.20M and revenue of 740.85M, resulting in an operating margin of 26.6%.
BDX - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Becton, Dickinson and Company reported a net income of -311.00M and revenue of 4.71B, resulting in a net margin of -6.6%.
NDSN - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Nordson Corporation reported a net income of 117.32M and revenue of 740.85M, resulting in a net margin of 15.8%.
Frequently Asked Questions
BDX and NDSN have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
BDX has higher volatility (9.69%) compared to NDSN (6.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BDX dropped -51.17% vs NDSN's -73.62%.
NDSN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.92 vs 0.79), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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