Smith & Nephew plc (SNN) AI Stock Analysis

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

SNN AI stock analysis summary

AI Research

Smith & Nephew plc is a global medical technology company focused on orthopedic reconstruction, sports medicine, trauma, and advanced wound management. In FY2025, revenue rose 6.1% to $6.16B while net income reached $625.0M and free cash flow increased to $852.0M. The stock trades at a forward P/E of 11.2x, following a 1-year return of -16.6% through October 16, 2026.

Market cap
$12.16B
Revenue (TTM)
$6.30B
P/E
19.8x
fwd 11.2x
1Y return
-16.6%
S&P 500 16.8%
Avg. target
$32.32
11.2% vs last close

Bull case

  • Free cash flow expanded to $852.0M in FY2025, driven by operating cash flow of $1.28B.
  • The stock trades at a forward P/E of 11.2x and EV/EBITDA of 9.3x, below the US-listed Healthcare peer medians of 17.3x and 12.0x.
  • Shareholder distributions included $502.0M in share buybacks in FY2025 and 27 consecutive years of dividend payments.

Bear case

  • Gross margin declined steadily from 71.0% in FY2021 to 68.3% in FY2025.
  • The company logged 0 EPS beats over the last 4 quarters, highlighting recent execution challenges against consensus estimates.
  • Price performance lagged the broader market, with a 1-year return of -16.6% compared to 16.8% for the S&P 500.

What Smith & Nephew does

Smith & Nephew plc develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices worldwide across several clinical areas. Its orthopedics portfolio includes knee implants for replacement procedures, hip implants for joint reconstruction, and trauma and extremities devices for stabilizing fractures and correcting deformities. In sports medicine, the company supplies instruments, implants, and arthroscopic enabling technologies such as fluid management systems, high-definition cameras, and tissue resection tools for minimally invasive joint repair. It also provides advanced wound care solutions, ranging from bioactives and biologics for debridement and dermal repair to regenerative medicine products including skin substitutes and bone grafts.

Growth and profitability

Revenue rose from $5.21B in FY2021 to $6.16B in FY2025, representing a 5-year revenue CAGR of 6.2% from FY2020 to FY2025. Gross margin contracted from 71.0% in FY2021 to 68.3% in FY2025, while operating margin expanded to 12.9% in FY2025 after touching a low of 7.7% in FY2023. Net income recovered to $625.0M in FY2025 with a net margin of 10.1%, up from $412.0M in FY2024 and $223.0M in FY2022. For the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2026, revenue stood at $6.30B with an operating margin of 14.5%. In the latest quarter, quarterly revenue grew 4.6% year-over-year and quarterly earnings grew 5.7%.

SNN income statement →

Balance sheet and cash flow

As of June 30, 2026, Smith & Nephew held $754.0M in cash and short-term investments alongside total debt of $3.79B, resulting in net debt of $3.03B. Shareholders' equity was $5.18B, giving a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, while liquidity remained solid with a current ratio of 2.14. Operating cash flow reached $1.28B in FY2025, supporting capital expenditures of $433.0M and free cash flow of $852.0M. During FY2025, the company deployed $502.0M into share buybacks and paid $330.0M in dividends, contributing to a 5-year share count change of -51.0%.

SNN balance sheet →

Valuation and performance

Smith & Nephew trades at a trailing P/E of 19.8x and a forward P/E of 11.2x, below the median of its US-listed Healthcare peers of 24.6x trailing and 17.3x forward. Its enterprise value of $14.56B reflects an EV/EBITDA of 9.3x and an EV/revenue of 2.3x, compared to the peer median EV/EBITDA of 12.0x. Price-to-sales stands at 1.9x against the peer median of 4.1x. The stock recorded a 1-year return of -16.6% and a 5-year return of -5.9%, trailing the S&P 500 (SPY) returns of 16.8% and 83.0% over the same periods.

SNN key metrics →

SNN dividend

Smith & Nephew pays a semiannual dividend with an annualized forward payout of $0.79, reflecting a dividend yield of 2.73%. Its payout ratio is 2.1%, and the company has maintained consecutive dividend payments for 27 years. The 5-year annualized dividend growth rate is 0.3%, and the most recent ex-dividend date was October 2, 2026.

SNN dividend history →

What analysts expect

Wall Street coverage includes 1 Buy and 5 Hold ratings, with 0 Strong Buy, 0 Sell, and 0 Strong Sell recommendations. The mean price target is $32.32, which is 11.2% above the last closing price of $29.06. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, analysts project revenue of $6.47B and EPS of $2.22, representing 9.0% EPS growth. For the following fiscal year, 4 analysts estimate revenue of $6.80B and EPS of $2.41. The company recorded 0 EPS beats over the last 4 quarters.

SNN forecast and price target →

Key risks and what to watch

  • Net debt stood at $3.03B as of June 30, 2026, with total debt of $3.79B against cash and short-term investments of $754.0M.
  • Gross margin compression from 71.0% in FY2021 to 68.3% in FY2025 indicates potential ongoing cost pressures.
  • A 5-year annualized dividend growth rate of 0.3% reflects relatively flat dividend growth despite a 2.73% dividend yield.
  • The stock is trading 5.4% below its 200-day moving average and remains near its 52-week low of $26.12.

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 SNN AI stock analysis

This page is an AI-written research summary of Smith & Nephew plc (SNN). 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: SNN income statement, SNN balance sheet, SNN key metrics, SNN analyst forecast, SNN chart. See the SNN stock overview for the latest quote and news.

SNN AI stock analysis FAQ

What is Smith & Nephew's dividend yield and payment schedule?

Smith & Nephew pays a semiannual dividend with an annualized forward payout of $0.79, yielding 2.73% as of October 16, 2026. The company has paid dividends for 27 consecutive years, and its last ex-dividend date was October 2, 2026.

What are analysts forecasting for SNN earnings and revenue?

For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, consensus estimates project EPS of $2.22 and revenue of $6.47B. For FY2027, 4 analysts estimate revenue of $6.80B and EPS of $2.41.

How does Smith & Nephew's valuation compare to healthcare peers?

Smith & Nephew trades at a forward P/E of 11.2x and an EV/EBITDA of 9.3x, compared to the US-listed Healthcare median of 17.3x forward P/E and 12.0x EV/EBITDA. Its price-to-sales ratio is 1.9x versus the peer median of 4.1x.

How much debt does Smith & Nephew carry?

As of June 30, 2026, the company reported total debt of $3.79B and cash and short-term investments of $754.0M, resulting in net debt of $3.03B and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73.

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