Data as of:
LIVE
IDXX
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. · Veterinary Diagnostics
$511.65
-8.99% this month
VERSUS
COMPARE
ZTS
Zoetis Inc. · Animal Health Pharmaceuticals
$71.40
-6.89% this month
Comparison scoreboard
IDXX LEADS 3/5AI Scorei
IDXX ✓50.6
ZTS 39.2
1Y Returni
IDXX ✓-21.95%
ZTS -51.46%
Fwd P/Ei
IDXX 33.15
ZTS ✓11.84
Target Up.i
IDXX ✓+25.93%
ZTS +24.13%
Op. Margini
IDXX 34.98%
ZTS ✓40.72%
Metrics last refreshed: 9/20/2026
Quick take
IDXX vs ZTS Stock Comparison: AI Score, Valuation, Performance and Upside
IDXX and ZTS are both beneficiaries of the 'humanization of pets' trend driving increased veterinary spending. IDEXX dominates veterinary diagnostics with the razor/razor-blade model and reference laboratory network. Zoetis leads animal health pharmaceuticals with companion animal parasiticides and innovative monoclonal antibodies for osteoarthritis. They serve the same veterinary ecosystem and are beginning to compete more directly as both expand — IDEXX into some diagnostics-adjacent services, Zoetis into diagnostics.
IDXX vs ZTS — IDEXX Laboratories (the veterinary diagnostics leader with razor/razor-blade analyzer placements, reference laboratory network, and veterinary practice software deepening clinic relationships) versus Zoetis (the animal health pharmaceutical leader with Simparica parasiticides, Librela/Solensia monoclonal antibodies for osteoarthritis, and livestock vaccine portfolio).
Live analysis · updated 9/20/2026
IDXX holds the edge across 3 of 5 key metrics in this comparison. IDXX has delivered stronger 1-year price return (-21.95% vs -51.46%), though ZTS has the better forward P/E setup (11.84x vs 33.15x for IDXX). On fundamentals, IDXX is growing revenue faster (9.70%), while ZTS maintains the higher operating margin (40.72%) — a classic growth-versus-profitability split. Analyst consensus implies similar upside for both: +25.93% for IDXX and +24.13% for ZTS.
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Normalized 1Y performance
IDXX
ZTS
Recent returns
IDXX
ZTS
Analyst price targets & sentiment
Human Wall Street analysts' price targets, typically implying a ~12-month view — a separate signal from this site's own AI Prediction Signal further down the page, which is a 5-/30-day machine-learning forecast based on price history alone.
IDXX · 12 analysts
STRONG BUYHOLDSTRONG SELL
Buy (2.4/5.0)
8 Buy / 5 Hold / 1 Sell
Price target range
analyst low$385.00
analyst mean$698.92
current price$511.65
+25.9% upside to analyst mean
ZTS · 16 analysts
STRONG BUYHOLDSTRONG SELL
Buy (1.7/5.0)
9 Buy / 9 Hold / 0 Sell
Price target range
analyst high$238.00
analyst mean$96.00
current price$71.40
+24.1% upside to analyst mean
Who should consider this stock?
IDXX may suit investors who:
- value the razor/razor-blade recurring consumable model — instrument placements compound over time, creating a growing installed base that generates predictable reagent revenue without repeated selling cycles
- see veterinary reference lab network as an infrastructure moat that took decades to build and cannot be replicated quickly by competitors
- believe pet humanization trend (preventive diagnostics, annual wellness testing) creates secular growth in diagnostic test volume per veterinary visit over time
- are comfortable with premium 50-60x earnings valuation, veterinary visit volume cyclicality, and Zoetis diagnostics competition
ZTS may suit investors who:
- see Librela and Solensia monoclonal antibodies as transformative pain management innovations for companion animals — the first effective treatments for canine and feline chronic pain opens an enormous underserved market
- value Simparica Trio's combination parasiticide leadership in the large and growing flea/tick/heartworm prevention market
- prefer Zoetis's more attractive valuation vs IDEXX's 50-60x P/E — Zoetis at 35-45x P/E offers the same secular pet health growth at a somewhat lower premium
- are comfortable with Librela safety monitoring risk, livestock market cyclicality, and IDEXX expanding into diagnostic competition with existing Zoetis veterinary relationships
Performance & AI score
| Metric | IDXX | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| AI scorei | 50.6 | 39.2 |
| AI ranki | #511 | #1274 |
| Latest closei | $511.65 | $71.40 |
| 1M returni | -8.99% | -6.89% |
| 6M returni | -11.76% | -38.44% |
| 1Y returni | -21.95% | -51.46% |
$10,000 invested — hypothetical growth (dividends reinvested)
How much would $10,000 be worth today if invested at the start of each period, with all dividends reinvested?
| Period | IDXX | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1Y ago | $7.81K (-21.9%) started 2025-09-18 | $4.85K (-51.5%) started 2025-09-18 |
| 5Y ago | $7.75K (-22.5%) started 2021-09-20 | $3.85K (-61.5%) started 2021-09-20 |
| 10Y ago | $46.24K (+362.4%) started 2016-09-19 | $16.2K (+62.0%) started 2016-09-19 |
Hypothetical — past performance does not guarantee future results.
Valuation & upside potential
| Metric | IDXX | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| Market capi | $43.72B | $31.96B |
| Trailing P/Ei | 39.06 | 12.62 |
| Forward P/Ei | 33.15 | 11.84 |
| Price/Salesi | 10.74 | 8.16 |
| EV/Revenuei | 9.80 | 4.15 |
| Analyst targeti | $698.92 | $96.00 |
| Target upsidei | +25.93% | +24.13% |
Growth, profitability & risk
| Metric | IDXX | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue growthi | 9.70% | -0.20% |
| Earnings growthi | 17.60% | 1.20% |
| EPS growthi | +17.60% | +1.20% |
| FCF margini | +19.97% | +21.18% |
| Operating margini | 34.98% | 40.72% |
| Profit margini | 25.03% | 27.68% |
| ROIC proxyi | 74.21% | 64.91% |
| Return on equityi | 74.21% | 64.91% |
| Dividend yieldi | N/A | 2.74% |
| Payout ratioi | 0.00% | 33.61% |
| Dividend growth streaki | N/A | No increase yet |
| Betai | 1.54 | 0.73 |
| Debt/equityi | 67.97 | 294.00 |
| Current ratioi | 1.17 | 3.08 |
| Quick ratioi | 0.73 | 1.57 |
Correlation
Over the past year, IDXX and ZTS have moved moderately in the same direction (correlation of 0.42), based on daily returns.
1Y
0.42
-1.0+1.0
5Y
0.56
-1.0+1.0
10Y
0.58
-1.0+1.0
Drawdown & downside risk
Lower drawdown and smaller single-period drops generally indicate a smoother ride, though they do not guarantee lower future risk.
1Y risk snapshot
IDXX max drawdowni34.17%
ZTS max drawdowni51.60%
IDXX max wkly dropi8.95%
ZTS max wkly dropi33.16%
5Y risk snapshot
IDXX max drawdowni52.44%
ZTS max drawdowni70.14%
IDXX max wkly dropi21.97%
ZTS max wkly dropi33.16%
10Y risk snapshot
IDXX max drawdowni54.00%
ZTS max drawdowni70.14%
IDXX max wkly dropi27.89%
ZTS max wkly dropi33.16%
Performance metrics by period
| Period | Metric | IDXX | ZTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Y | Growthi | -21.95% | -51.46% |
| CAGRi | -21.96% | -51.49% | |
| Volatilityi | 32.12% | 37.66% | |
| Sharpe ratioi | -0.76 | -1.84 | |
| Sortino ratioi | -1.11 | -2.10 | |
| Max drawdowni | 34.17% | 51.60% | |
| Current drawdowni | 33.26% | 51.60% | |
| Avg drawdowni | 18.12% | 26.70% | |
| Ulcer Indexi | 20.94% | 31.83% | |
| Max daily dropi | 5.02% | 21.50% | |
| Max wkly dropi | 8.95% | 33.16% | |
| 5Y | Growthi | -22.45% | -62.82% |
| CAGRi | -4.96% | -17.97% | |
| Volatilityi | 35.68% | 29.48% | |
| Sharpe ratioi | -0.10 | -0.68 | |
| Sortino ratioi | -0.15 | -0.87 | |
| Max drawdowni | 52.44% | 70.14% | |
| Current drawdowni | 33.26% | 70.14% | |
| Avg drawdowni | 27.01% | 32.80% | |
| Ulcer Indexi | 29.51% | 35.92% | |
| Max daily dropi | 9.79% | 21.50% | |
| Max wkly dropi | 21.97% | 33.16% | |
| 10Y | Growthi | +362.45% | +51.47% |
| CAGRi | +16.55% | +4.24% | |
| Volatilityi | 32.98% | 27.43% | |
| Sharpe ratioi | 0.49 | 0.13 | |
| Sortino ratioi | 0.74 | 0.17 | |
| Max drawdowni | 54.00% | 70.14% | |
| Current drawdowni | 33.26% | 70.14% | |
| Avg drawdowni | 17.47% | 18.18% | |
| Ulcer Indexi | 22.96% | 25.68% | |
| Max daily dropi | 11.94% | 21.50% | |
| Max wkly dropi | 27.89% | 33.16% |
Business comparison
| Category | IDXX | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| Company | IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. | Zoetis Inc. |
| Sector | Healthcare | Healthcare |
| Industry | Diagnostics & Research | Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic |
| Core business | IDEXX Laboratories is the world's leading veterinary diagnostics company providing in-clinic analyzers (blood, urinalysis, chemistry analyzers deployed in veterinary practices) and reference laboratory services that process specimens sent from veterinary clinics. IDEXX's model is razor/razor-blade — instruments are placed in veterinary clinics at minimal upfront cost and ongoing reagent/consumable purchases generate recurring revenue. IDEXX also provides veterinary software (Cornerstone, eVetPractice) and Point of Care testing. IDEXX benefits from the 'humanization of pets' trend — pet owners spending more on preventive diagnostics for their companion animals. | Zoetis (spun off from Pfizer in 2013) is the world's largest animal health pharmaceutical company providing drugs, vaccines, and diagnostic products for livestock (cattle, swine, poultry) and companion animals (dogs, cats, horses). Zoetis's parasiticides (Simparica, Revolution, Stronghold) are top-selling flea/tick/heartworm prevention for pets. Cytopoint and Apoquel treat canine allergies/atopic dermatitis — significant blockbusters. Librela (osteoarthritis in dogs) and Solensia (cats) represent monoclonal antibody innovation in animal pain management. Zoetis serves both the pet health market and livestock/food animal health markets globally. |
| Investor focus | Investors focus on IDEXX's instrument placement growth (recurring revenue base expansion), reference laboratory volume growth, veterinary software penetration, and operating margin expansion from scale. | Investors focus on Zoetis's companion animal revenue growth (parasiticides, monoclonal antibodies), Librela osteoarthritis drug launch performance, livestock market cyclicality, and China livestock revenue contribution. |
IDXX strengths
- Razor/razor-blade diagnostics model: veterinary practices install IDEXX analyzers at low cost and then purchase IDEXX reagents exclusively for the device's life — creating highly predictable recurring consumable revenue
- Reference laboratory network moat: IDEXX's national reference lab network provides 24-hour turnaround on complex diagnostics that can't be run in-clinic — the network infrastructure creates a barrier to entry for competitors
- Veterinary software integration: Cornerstone and eVetPractice practice management software deepens IDEXX's relationship with veterinary clinics beyond just diagnostics — becoming essential infrastructure for practice operations
ZTS strengths
- Companion animal parasiticide leadership: Simparica Trio is the leading combination parasiticide for dogs — protecting against fleas, ticks, and heartworms in one monthly chewable
- Monoclonal antibody innovation in animal health: Librela (dogs) and Solensia (cats) are the first FDA-approved monoclonal antibodies for companion animal pain — new drug class with first-mover advantage in a large underserved market
- Livestock + companion animal diversification: Zoetis serves both pet health (secular growth) and livestock health (cyclical, food production-linked) — providing some revenue diversification across the animal health spectrum
Risks to watch — IDXX
- Premium valuation in animal diagnostics niche: IDEXX trades at 50-60x earnings — a very high multiple for what is ultimately a cyclical-influenced small market, leaving minimal margin of safety for execution misses
- Veterinary visit volume sensitivity: IDEXX's revenue is tied to veterinary visit volume — economic downturns where pet owners defer veterinary care reduce diagnostic test volume
- Competition from Heska (small niche competitor) and Zoetis diagnostics: Zoetis has entered in-clinic diagnostics — a credible competitor with existing veterinary relationships from pharmaceutical sales visits
Risks to watch — ZTS
- Librela safety monitoring: Librela has faced some post-market safety reports from veterinarians about potential neurological side effects in a small subset of dogs — ongoing safety monitoring and potential label changes create uncertainty
- Livestock cyclicality: hog, cattle, and poultry production cycles affect Zoetis's livestock revenue — these markets are inherently more cyclical than companion animal spending
- IDEXX entering pharmaceuticals and Zoetis entering diagnostics: the two companies are encroaching on each other's core markets — increasing competitive dynamics in the animal health market
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