Danaher vs Eli Lilly (DHR vs LLY)
Danaher (DHR) vs Eli Lilly (LLY) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.
Danaher (DHR) and Eli Lilly (LLY) compete in healthcare and pharma. Here are Danaher and Eli Lilly side by side with their real figures as of November 4, 2026: what sets them apart, which fits each kind of investor and the most common questions, without telling you whether to buy Danaher or Eli Lilly.
Danaher vs Eli Lilly: the figures
| Figure | Danaher | Eli Lilly |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $234.93 (November 4, 2026) | $1,417.99 (November 4, 2026) |
| Market cap | $165.2 billion | $1.26 trillion |
| P/E (TTM) | 38.9x | 46.0x |
| Forward P/E | 25.2x | 28.3x |
| Revenue growth (quarter) | +8.3% | +38.6% |
| Net margin (TTM) | 16.9% | 31.9% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 2.7x | 1.0x |
| Dividend yield | 0.70% | 0.49% |
| Beta | 0.80 | 0.39 |
Danaher and Eli Lilly figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that Danaher or Eli Lilly figure is not available, and we never estimate it.
3 key differences between Danaher and Eli Lilly
- Growth: Eli Lilly grew sales +38.6% year on year in its latest quarter, against +8.3% for Danaher.
- Profitability: for every 100 of sales, Eli Lilly keeps 31.9 as net profit and Danaher keeps 16.9.
- Size: Eli Lilly is worth $1.26 trillion on the stock market, about 7.6 times Danaher ($165.2 billion).
Danaher or Eli Lilly: which fits your profile
- If you want growth: Eli Lilly is growing faster today, so it fits better with investors who put business growth first, usually accepting a higher P/E and a bumpier ride.
- If you want income (dividends): Danaher pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
- If you prefer caution: Eli Lilly has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
- If price is what matters most to you: Danaher trades on the lower P/E; check first whether that is an opportunity or a sign of a business that grows less.
Neither Danaher nor Eli Lilly wins on everything, and owning both is also an option: spreading money across several companies or an index fund reduces what rides on each one.
How Danaher and Eli Lilly make money
Danaher (DHR)
Danaher sells instruments, reagents and consumables to labs, hospitals and drugmakers. Diagnostics, its largest segment, includes Beckman Coulter Diagnostics, Cepheid, Radiometer and Leica Biosystems. Biotechnology, built around Cytiva, supplies tools for making biologic drugs, and Life Sciences includes SCIEX, Leica Microsystems and IDT. Full Danaher analysis.
Eli Lilly (LLY)
Eli Lilly sells prescription medicines. Its largest revenue source is tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for obesity, followed by Verzenio for breast cancer, Jardiance and Trulicity for diabetes, Taltz for immunology and Kisunla for Alzheimer's disease. The United States is its biggest market. Full Eli Lilly analysis.
Frequently asked questions: Danaher vs Eli Lilly
Is Danaher or Eli Lilly the better stock?
Choosing between Danaher and Eli Lilly depends on what you are looking for. Eli Lilly is growing faster right now, and Danaher trades on the lower P/E. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy Danaher or Eli Lilly: it shows you the differences so you can decide.
Which pays a higher dividend, Danaher or Eli Lilly?
As of November 4, 2026, Danaher yields 0.70% and Eli Lilly yields 0.49%. Also check how much of their profit Danaher and Eli Lilly pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.
Which is more expensive, Danaher or Eli Lilly?
On P/E, Eli Lilly (46.0x) is more expensive than Danaher (38.9x) as of November 4, 2026. A higher P/E can be justified if earnings grow faster, so compare it with each company's growth in the table.
Can I own both Danaher and Eli Lilly?
Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as Danaher and Eli Lilly, or use index funds so they do not depend on just one. If you are starting out, decide how much you want to invest and for how long before buying Danaher or Eli Lilly.
More comparisons with Danaher or Eli Lilly
More companies like Danaher and Eli Lilly: healthcare and pharma stocks. Educational content about Danaher and Eli Lilly, not investment advice.