Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG)
Intuitive Surgical makes the da Vinci robotic surgical systems used in minimally invasive procedures worldwide. A razor-and-blade model of systems, instruments, and services drives recurring revenue.
Health Care stock comparison
ISRG vs STE: which business are you actually underwriting?
Compare Intuitive Surgical, Inc. with STERIS plc using their business models, SEC classifications, fiscal calendars, current primary filings, and the research questions that matter. This is a thesis framework—not a price target or automatic winner.
- Sector
- Health
- Industry
- Same SIC
- Shared themes
- 0
- Updated
- 2026-05-29
ISRG vs STE: quick comparison
| Company fact | ISRG | STE |
|---|---|---|
| Company | Intuitive Surgical, Inc. | STERIS plc |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NYSE |
| Headquarters | Sunnyvale, California | — |
| Founded | 1995 | — |
| SEC industry | Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies | Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies |
| Fiscal year-end | December 31 | March 31 |
| Latest annual filing | 10-K · 2026-02-03 | 10-K · 2026-05-29 |
ISRG vs STE: audited financials
ISRG reported about 1.7× the revenue of STE in the latest audited fiscal year. On profitability, ISRG converted a larger share of revenue into net income (28.4% versus 13.2%). Scale and margin are starting facts for the thesis, not the verdict.
| Metric | ISRG | STE |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $10.1B | $5.9B |
| Net income | $2.9B | $782M |
| Operating cash flow | $3.0B | $1.3B |
| Diluted EPS | $7.87 | $7.93 |
| Net margin | 28.4% | 13.2% |
ISRG: FY ending 2025-12-31 · STE: FY ending 2026-03-31. Figures as tagged in each issuer's SEC XBRL filing; fiscal calendars may not align.
How the businesses differ
Why this pair belongs in the comparison set
ISRG and STE share the SEC industry classification “Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies,” giving the comparison a primary-source operating relationship. A shared classification or theme makes the pair useful for a defined research question; it does not mean the companies have identical products, economics, or risks.
STERIS plc (STE)
STERIS provides sterilization and infection-prevention products and services for hospitals and manufacturers.
The useful starting point is not which ticker has performed better. It is whether the two companies convert the same economic forces into revenue and cash flow in the same way. ISRG is classified by the SEC as Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies, while STE is classified as Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies. The matching industry code strengthens the peer comparison, although product mix can still differ materially.
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The thesis, the numbers behind it, and what would break it. Full access is $15 a month.
Read the full researchWhich thesis does each company fit?
Use the distinction below to decide which filing deserves deeper work. It is a research routing rule, not a recommendation or prediction.
Study ISRG when…
- Drug approvals and clinical-trial readouts
- Medicare and drug-pricing policy
- Demographics and an aging population
- GLP-1 and obesity-drug demand
Study STE when…
- Drug approvals and clinical-trial readouts
- Medicare and drug-pricing policy
- Demographics and an aging population
- GLP-1 and obesity-drug demand
Shared research themes
Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (SEC industry)
SEC filing comparison and disclosure evidence
Start with primary filings because fiscal calendars and accounting presentation can make superficially similar quarters incomparable.ISRG's fiscal year ends December 31, while STE's ends March 31. Normalize the reporting periods before comparing growth, margins, capital intensity, or guidance.
The current verified House and Senate snapshot contains 21matched transaction rows for ISRGand 18 for STE. These delayed, range-based disclosures can identify a filing to inspect; they do not establish motive, conviction, or a real-time trading signal.
ISRG primary filings
STE primary filings
What this comparison cannot tell you
This page does not contain licensed live prices, a valuation model, earnings estimates, portfolio constraints, or a forecast of future returns. SEC classifications can be broad, company descriptions can lag strategic change, and the latest annual filing may predate a material acquisition or divestiture. Read subsequent quarterly and current reports before making a decision.
A stronger business is not automatically the better stock. Starting valuation, expectations, capital structure, cyclicality, dilution, and the probability of each thesis determine the investment outcome. Use this comparison to frame the work, then verify the numbers in the linked filings and current company disclosures.
More comparisons involving ISRG or STE
ISRG vs STE FAQs
Are ISRG and STE direct competitors?
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. and STERIS plc share the SEC industry classification “Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies.” That makes the operating comparison relevant, but it does not prove that every product, customer, or revenue stream competes directly.
Which is better, ISRG or STE?
There is no context-free winner. Compare the operating exposures, filing evidence, valuation, balance sheet, and risks against the specific thesis you are testing. This page deliberately does not turn a static profile into a buy or sell recommendation.
Does this ISRG vs STE comparison include live prices?
No. Yield Theory does not republish unlicensed real-time market data. The financial figures on this page are the audited annual numbers Intuitive Surgical, Inc. and STERIS plc tagged in their SEC XBRL filings. Use a regulated broker or licensed quote provider for current prices and valuation multiples.
Where does the company information come from?
Company classifications, fiscal year-ends, and filing links come from the SEC EDGAR submissions API snapshot refreshed 2026-09-25. Business summaries and research themes are maintained by Yield Theory.
Data snapshot: SEC EDGAR submissions API, refreshed 2026-09-25. Independent educational research; not investment advice.
A comparison is the setup. The thesis is the call.
ISRG vs STE shows how the businesses differ. Membership is the monthly sourced view of who could benefit, what could break, and what evidence matters next. $15/month or $150/year.
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