Danaher Corporation (DHR) AI Stock Analysis

NYSE: DHRAI research summary: business, growth, valuation, analysts, bull and bear case.

DHR AI stock analysis summary

AI Research

Danaher Corporation is a global diagnostics, life sciences, and environmental solutions provider with a market capitalization of $161.01B. In FY2025, the company generated $24.57B in revenue and $5.26B in free cash flow. For the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly earnings grew 59.7% year-over-year on 5.5% revenue growth.

Market cap
$161.01B
Revenue (TTM)
$25.11B
P/E
40.8x
fwd 23.8x
1Y return
9.4%
S&P 500 16.8%
Avg. target
$244.14
6.6% vs last close

Bull case

  • Quarterly earnings growth rebounded sharply, rising 59.7% year-over-year for the quarter ended June 30, 2026.
  • The company generated strong free cash flow of $5.26B in FY2025, enabling $3.09B in share repurchases.
  • Analysts maintain a positive outlook with 17 Strong Buy and 5 Buy ratings alongside a mean price target of $244.14.

Bear case

  • Danaher carries net debt of $22.21B with total debt of $26.56B as of June 30, 2026.
  • The stock trades at a valuation premium, including an EV-to-EBITDA of 23.5x compared to the S&P 500 Healthcare median of 15.0x.
  • Longer-term share performance has trailed broader markets, generating a 5-year return of -12.0% against an 83.0% gain for the S&P 500.

What Danaher does

Danaher Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets professional, medical, industrial, and commercial products and services across three primary segments: Life Sciences, Diagnostics, and Environmental & Applied Solutions. The Life Sciences segment offers mass spectrometers, genomics equipment, lab automation, and bioprocess technologies for pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, food, and research institutions. The Diagnostics segment provides chemistry, immunoassay, molecular diagnostics, and pathology systems for hospitals, physician offices, and reference laboratories. Its Environmental & Applied Solutions segment delivers water analysis and treatment systems, as well as packaging design, printing, and product traceability solutions across consumer, industrial, and natural resource markets.

Growth and profitability

Danaher's revenue grew at a five-year CAGR of 2.0% between FY2020 and FY2025. After reaching $29.45B in FY2021 with a net margin of 21.8%, revenue declined 9.5% in FY2022 to $26.64B and 10.3% in FY2023 to $23.89B. In FY2024, revenue was $23.88B before rising 2.9% to $24.57B in FY2025, when net income was $3.61B and EPS reached $7.80. Gross margin remained steady at 60.9% in FY2025, while operating margin was 20.9%. Over the trailing twelve months, revenue reached $25.11B with an operating margin of 19.8% and EPS of $5.61. For the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue grew 5.5% year-over-year and quarterly earnings grew 59.7%.

DHR income statement →

Balance sheet and cash flow

As of June 30, 2026, Danaher held $4.35B in cash and short-term investments against total debt of $26.56B, resulting in net debt of $22.21B. Total assets stood at $92.37B and shareholders' equity was $52.58B, reflecting a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 1.65. Operating cash flow in FY2025 reached $6.42B, supporting capital expenditures of $1.16B and free cash flow of $5.26B. During FY2025, cash deployment included $3.09B in share buybacks and $878.0M in dividends paid.

DHR balance sheet →

Valuation and performance

Danaher trades at a trailing P/E of 40.8x and a forward P/E of 23.8x, both above the median of its S&P 500 Healthcare peers at 27.2x and 16.5x, respectively. Its enterprise value of $177.96B represents an EV-to-EBITDA multiple of 23.5x, compared to the peer median of 15.0x, and a price-to-sales ratio of 6.4x versus the peer median of 3.4x. Shares closed at $229.04 on October 16, 2026. Over the past year, Danaher returned 9.4%, trailing the S&P 500 return of 16.8%, while its five-year return of -12.0% lagged the S&P 500 return of 83.0%.

DHR key metrics →

DHR dividend

Danaher pays a quarterly dividend with an annual forward payout of $1.60 per share, yielding 0.70%. The company has paid consecutive dividends for 34 years, maintaining an annualized five-year dividend growth rate of 14.9%. In FY2025, dividend distributions totaled $878.0M, reflecting a payout ratio of 18.7%. The most recent ex-dividend date was September 30, 2026.

DHR dividend history →

What analysts expect

Of the 25 analysts covering Danaher, 17 rate it a Strong Buy, 5 rate it a Buy, and 3 rate it a Hold, with zero Sell or Strong Sell ratings. The mean price target is $244.14, representing a 6.6% premium over the last close of $229.04. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, consensus estimates project revenue of $26.35B and EPS of $8.51, representing 9.0% earnings growth. Danaher beat EPS estimates in each of the last 4 quarters, with next earnings scheduled for October 21, 2026.

DHR forecast and price target →

Key risks and what to watch

  • A five-year revenue CAGR of just 2.0% from FY2020 to FY2025 highlights subdued multi-year top-line expansion.
  • Annual net income contracted from $7.21B in FY2022 to $3.61B in FY2025, cutting net margin from 27.1% to 14.7%.
  • Total debt stands at $26.56B compared to $4.35B in cash and short-term investments as of June 30, 2026.
  • Trailing operating margin of 19.8% remains well below the peak FY2022 operating margin of 28.3%.

AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer

About this DHR AI stock analysis

This page is an AI-written research summary of Danaher Corporation (DHR). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.

Related: DHR income statement, DHR balance sheet, DHR key metrics, DHR analyst forecast, DHR chart. See the DHR stock overview for the latest quote and news.

DHR AI stock analysis FAQ

What is Danaher's dividend yield and payout history?

Danaher offers an annual forward dividend of $1.60 per share, yielding 0.70% with a payout ratio of 18.7%. The company has paid dividends for 34 consecutive years and achieved a five-year annualized dividend growth rate of 14.9%.

What are analysts' revenue and earnings expectations for Danaher?

For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, analysts estimate revenue of $26.35B and EPS of $8.51, representing 9.0% EPS growth. For the following fiscal year, 25 analysts estimate revenue of $28.48B and EPS of $9.30.

How does Danaher's valuation compare to its healthcare peers?

Danaher trades at a forward P/E of 23.8x and an EV-to-EBITDA of 23.5x. Both metrics represent a premium to the median of its S&P 500 Healthcare peers, which trade at a forward P/E of 16.5x and an EV-to-EBITDA of 15.0x.

When does Danaher report its next earnings?

Danaher is scheduled to report its next earnings on October 21, 2026. The company beat EPS estimates in each of the past 4 quarters.

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