DHR vs BDX: which was the better investment?
Danaher Corporation against Becton, Dickinson and Company on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Dec 29, 1978 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did DHR beat BDX?
Yes — measured from Dec 29, 1978 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, DHR came out ahead: $45,650,314 versus $2,071,315 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 19.4% annual return against 11.9%.
What would $10,000 in DHR be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Danaher Corporation (DHR) on Dec 29, 1978 would be worth about $45,650,314 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 456403.1% (19.4% per year). The same $10,000 in BDX would be worth $2,071,315.
Which was riskier — DHR or BDX?
DHR swung with an annualized volatility of 35.4% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -65.3%; BDX ran at 25.3% volatility with a -51.2% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.49 for DHR vs 0.39 for BDX.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Dec 29, 1978 through Jul 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with DHR vs BDX. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.