SNN vs. SYK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SNN (Smith & Nephew plc) and SYK (Stryker Corporation) are both stocks. Both operate in the Medical Devices industry within the Healthcare sector. Over the past 10 years, SNN returned 0.76%/yr vs 11.25%/yr for SYK. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

SNN vs. SYK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Smith & Nephew plc (SNN) and Stryker Corporation (SYK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SNN achieves a -7.39% return, which is significantly higher than SYK's -15.84% return. Over the past 10 years, SNN has underperformed SYK with an annualized return of 0.76%, while SYK has yielded a comparatively higher 11.25% annualized return.

SNN

• 1D: 1.94%
• 1M: -3.14%
• YTD: -7.39%
• 6M: -7.82%
• 1Y: 5.21%
• 3Y*: 2.35%
• 5Y*: -4.25%
• 10Y*: 0.76%

SYK

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 1.42%
• YTD: -15.84%
• 6M: -18.97%
• 1Y: -21.83%
• 3Y*: 2.95%
• 5Y*: 4.29%
• 10Y*: 11.25%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SNN vs. SYK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SNN Smith & Nephew plc	-7.39%	36.82%	-7.34%	4.44%	-20.20%	-16.21%	-10.40%	30.84%	8.90%	18.57%
SYK Stryker Corporation	-15.84%	-1.48%	21.34%	23.80%	-7.42%	10.22%	18.17%	35.33%	2.43%	30.84%

Correlation

The correlation between SNN and SYK is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.44
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 17, 1999	0.39

The correlation between SNN and SYK shifts across timeframes, from 0.39 (all time) to 0.53 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap SNN : $13.06B SYK : $114.02B
EPS SNN : $2.37 SYK : $8.63
PE Ratio SNN : 12.63 SYK : 34.17
PEG Ratio SNN : 0.44 SYK : 2.54
PS Ratio SNN : 1.09 SYK : 4.51
PB Ratio SNN : 2.47 SYK : 2.46
Total Revenue (TTM) SNN : $11.99B SYK : $25.27B
Gross Profit (TTM) SNN : $8.25B SYK : $16.09B
EBITDA (TTM) SNN : $2.82B SYK : $5.48B

Return for Risk

SNN vs. SYK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

SNN

SNN Risk / Return Rank: 44
SNN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
SNN Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
SNN Omega Ratio Rank: 42
SNN Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
SNN Martin Ratio Rank: 46

SYK

SYK Risk / Return Rank: 7
SYK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
SYK Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
SYK Omega Ratio Rank: 8
SYK Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
SYK Martin Ratio Rank: 1

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

SNN vs. SYK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Smith & Nephew plc (SNN) and Stryker Corporation (SYK). 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.

	SNN	SYK	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.18	-0.99	+1.17
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.47	-1.35	+1.82
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	0.84	+0.22
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.23	-0.74	+0.97
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.47	-1.84	+2.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SNN vs. SYK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SNN Sharpe Ratio is 0.18, which is higher than the SYK Sharpe Ratio of -0.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SNN and SYK, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SNN	SYK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18	-0.99	+1.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.16	0.18	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.03	0.43	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.55	-0.28

Drawdowns

SNN vs. SYK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SNN drawdown since its inception was -55.20%, smaller than the maximum SYK drawdown of -58.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SNN and SYK.

Drawdown Indicators

	SNN	SYK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.20%	-58.63%	+3.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.03%	-29.45%	+6.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.36%	-29.45%	-2.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.18%	-31.68%	-17.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-55.06%	-43.80%	-11.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-31.62%	-26.35%	-5.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.64%	-13.10%	-4.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.20%	11.88%	-0.68%

Volatility

SNN vs. SYK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Smith & Nephew plc (SNN) is 7.37%, while Stryker Corporation (SYK) has a volatility of 8.52%. This indicates that SNN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SYK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SNN	SYK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.37%	8.52%	-1.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.54%	17.78%	-0.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.55%	22.04%	+7.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.08%	24.13%	+2.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.91%	26.30%	+0.61%

Dividends

SNN vs. SYK - Dividend Comparison

SNN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.61%, more than SYK's 1.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SNN Smith & Nephew plc	2.61%	2.32%	3.05%	2.75%	2.79%	2.17%	1.78%	1.51%	1.96%	1.76%	2.08%	1.68%
SYK Stryker Corporation	1.17%	0.97%	0.90%	1.02%	1.16%	0.97%	0.96%	1.02%	1.23%	1.13%	1.31%	1.52%

Financials

SNN vs. SYK - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Smith & Nephew plc and Stryker Corporation over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

SNN - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Smith & Nephew plc reported a gross profit of 2.09B and revenue of 3.19B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 65.6%.

SYK - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Stryker Corporation reported a gross profit of 3.81B and revenue of 6.02B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 63.3%.

SNN - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Smith & Nephew plc reported an operating income of 570.45M and revenue of 3.19B, resulting in an operating margin of 17.9%.

SYK - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Stryker Corporation reported an operating income of 936.00M and revenue of 6.02B, resulting in an operating margin of 15.6%.

SNN - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Smith & Nephew plc reported a net income of 330.82M and revenue of 3.19B, resulting in a net margin of 10.4%.

SYK - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Stryker Corporation reported a net income of 745.00M and revenue of 6.02B, resulting in a net margin of 12.4%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SNN and SYK in my portfolio?

SNN and SYK have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SNN or SYK?

SYK has higher volatility (8.52%) compared to SNN (7.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SNN dropped -55.20% vs SYK's -58.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SNN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.18 vs -0.99), 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.