SYK vs. MDT

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SYK (Stryker Corporation) and MDT (Medtronic plc) are both stocks. Both operate in the Medical Devices industry within the Healthcare sector. Over the past 10 years, SYK returned 11.18%/yr vs 1.46%/yr for MDT. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

SYK vs. MDT - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SYK achieves a -16.32% return, which is significantly higher than MDT's -22.60% return. Over the past 10 years, SYK has outperformed MDT with an annualized return of 11.18%, while MDT has yielded a comparatively lower 1.46% annualized return.

SYK

• 1D: -2.06%
• 1M: -0.49%
• YTD: -16.32%
• 6M: -19.60%
• 1Y: -22.25%
• 3Y*: 2.76%
• 5Y*: 4.34%
• 10Y*: 11.18%

MDT

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: -7.81%
• YTD: -22.60%
• 6M: -26.59%
• 1Y: -9.13%
• 3Y*: -0.99%
• 5Y*: -6.94%
• 10Y*: 1.46%

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

SYK vs. MDT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SYK Stryker Corporation	-16.32%	-1.48%	21.34%	23.80%	-7.42%	10.22%	18.17%	35.33%	2.43%	30.84%
MDT Medtronic plc	-22.60%	24.05%	0.28%	9.58%	-22.55%	-9.79%	5.70%	27.34%	15.18%	15.90%

Correlation

The correlation between SYK and MDT is 0.54, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 1988	0.43

The correlation between SYK and MDT shifts across timeframes, from 0.43 (all time) to 0.63 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap SYK : $113.36B MDT : $95.00B
EPS SYK : $8.63 MDT : $3.58
PE Ratio SYK : 33.97 MDT : 20.58
PEG Ratio SYK : 2.52 MDT : 1.86
PS Ratio SYK : 4.49 MDT : 2.68
Total Revenue (TTM) SYK : $25.27B MDT : $35.48B
Gross Profit (TTM) SYK : $16.09B MDT : $5.78B
EBITDA (TTM) SYK : $5.48B MDT : $7.11B

Return for Risk

SYK vs. MDT — Risk / Return Rank

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

SYK

SYK Risk / Return Rank: 6
SYK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
SYK Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
SYK Omega Ratio Rank: 8
SYK Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
SYK Martin Ratio Rank: 1

MDT

MDT Risk / Return Rank: 23
MDT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
MDT Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
MDT Omega Ratio Rank: 19
MDT Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
MDT Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

SYK vs. MDT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Stryker Corporation (SYK) and Medtronic plc (MDT). 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.

	SYK	MDT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-1.01	-0.47	-0.55
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-1.38	-0.56	-0.82
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.84	0.94	-0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.77	-0.29	-0.48
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.92	-0.77	-1.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SYK vs. MDT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SYK Sharpe Ratio is -1.01, which is lower than the MDT Sharpe Ratio of -0.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SYK and MDT, 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

	SYK	MDT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.01	-0.47	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18	-0.32	+0.50
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	0.06	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.46	+0.09

Drawdowns

SYK vs. MDT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SYK drawdown since its inception was -58.63%, roughly equal to the maximum MDT drawdown of -57.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SYK and MDT.

Drawdown Indicators

	SYK	MDT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.63%	-57.63%	-1.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-29.45%	-28.90%	-0.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.45%	-28.90%	-0.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.68%	-45.10%	+13.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.80%	-45.10%	+1.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-26.77%	-36.76%	+9.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.10%	-16.54%	+3.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.76%	10.81%	+0.95%

Volatility

SYK vs. MDT - Volatility Comparison

Stryker Corporation (SYK) has a higher volatility of 8.61% compared to Medtronic plc (MDT) at 6.62%. This indicates that SYK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MDT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SYK	MDT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.61%	6.62%	+1.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.77%	14.30%	+3.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.03%	19.63%	+2.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.13%	21.66%	+2.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.31%	23.12%	+3.19%

Dividends

SYK vs. MDT - Dividend Comparison

SYK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.17%, less than MDT's 3.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MDT Medtronic plc	3.85%	2.95%	3.49%	3.34%	3.44%	2.39%	1.95%	1.87%	2.15%	2.24%	2.34%	1.88%
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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SYK and MDT in my portfolio?

SYK and MDT have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SYK or MDT?

SYK has higher volatility (8.61%) compared to MDT (6.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SYK dropped -58.63% vs MDT's -57.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MDT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.47 vs -1.01), 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.