SNN
HealthcareSmith & Nephew plc · Medical - Devices · $13B
What is Smith & Nephew plc?
Smith & Nephew is a global medical devices company headquartered in Watford, UK, serving surgeons and healthcare systems across orthopedics, sports medicine, and advanced wound care. Its products are used in hospitals and surgical centers worldwide.
Smith & Nephew generates revenue by developing, manufacturing, and selling medical devices across three core segments. Its orthopedic reconstruction business supplies knee and hip implants for joint replacement procedures. Its sports medicine and ENT division provides minimally invasive surgical tools, arthroscopic cameras, and tissue repair systems. Its advanced wound management segment offers dressings, biologics, and bioactive technologies for treating chronic and acute wounds, including diabetic ulcers and post-operative sites.
The company was established in 1999 and is headquartered in Watford, Great Britain.
- Knee and hip implant systems for joint reconstruction
- Sports medicine instruments and soft-tissue repair implants
- Arthroscopic enabling technologies including cameras and scopes
- Advanced wound care dressings and bioactive biologics
- Trauma and extremity fixation devices for fracture stabilization
Is SNN a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates SNN as Good overall, reflecting a balanced profile across its five analytical pillars.
The Quality pillar registers as Good, suggesting the underlying business generates reasonably consistent returns relative to its asset base. Valuation is rated Attractive, meaning the stock appears reasonably priced compared to its fundamental profile — a notable characteristic for a large-cap medtech name.
Both the Moat and Growth pillars come in at Neutral, indicating that competitive differentiation and near-term expansion momentum are not standout features relative to sector peers.
Pro members can view the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics behind SNN's UQS Score at uqs-score.com. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does SNN pay dividends?
Yes — Smith & Nephew plc pays a dividend.
Smith & Nephew pays a regular dividend, which is relatively uncommon among pure-growth medtech names and reflects the company's established, cash-generating business model. The dividend signals management's confidence in sustaining cash flows across its diversified device portfolio. Income-oriented investors may find this cadence appealing alongside the stock's Attractive valuation rating.
When does SNN report earnings?
Smith & Nephew reports earnings on a regular cadence, consistent with its listing obligations as a major international healthcare company.
The company's results reflect its diversified revenue mix across orthopedic reconstruction, sports medicine, and wound care. Performance across segments can vary based on surgical procedure volumes, hospital capital spending, and geographic mix. No specific figures are cited here.
For the most recent quarterly and annual results, visit Smith & Nephew's official investor relations page.
SNN Price History
-13.9% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Smith & Nephew plc?
Based on Smith & Nephew plc's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
SNN Long-term Outlook
With Growth and Risk both rated Neutral, Smith & Nephew's fundamental outlook appears steady rather than accelerating. The business benefits from durable demand in elective orthopedic procedures and chronic wound management, but faces ongoing pricing pressure in competitive device markets. The Attractive Valuation rating suggests the market may not be fully pricing in a recovery in procedure volumes or operational improvements across its wound care and orthopedic divisions.
Growth drivers
- Rising global demand for elective joint replacement procedures
- Expansion of minimally invasive sports medicine technologies
- Growing chronic wound care needs in aging and diabetic populations
Key risks
- Competitive pricing pressure across orthopedic implant markets
- Execution risk in integrating acquisitions and improving margins
- Currency headwinds given significant international revenue exposure
SNN vs Peers
Smith & Nephew operates in a competitive medtech landscape alongside companies focused on device innovation and specialty healthcare solutions.
Insulet focuses on tubeless insulin delivery systems, competing in a distinct diabetes management niche rather than orthopedics or wound care.
Align Technology specializes in clear dental aligners and digital orthodontic workflows, representing a different segment of the broader medical device market.
Penumbra develops neurovascular and peripheral vascular intervention devices, addressing acute stroke and blood clot treatment rather than orthopedic or wound applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Smith & Nephew do?
Smith & Nephew develops and sells medical devices across three main areas: orthopedic reconstruction (knee and hip implants), sports medicine and ENT (minimally invasive surgical tools and arthroscopic systems), and advanced wound management (dressings, biologics, and bioactive wound care products). Its devices are used by surgeons and healthcare providers in hospitals worldwide.
Does SNN pay dividends?
Yes, Smith & Nephew pays a regular dividend. This is relatively uncommon among growth-focused medtech peers and reflects the company's established, diversified revenue base. Investors seeking income alongside capital exposure to the medical device sector may find this characteristic relevant to their screening criteria.
When does SNN report earnings?
Smith & Nephew reports financial results on a regular cadence as required by its listing obligations. For precise reporting dates and the most recent results, investors should consult Smith & Nephew's official investor relations page directly.
Is SNN a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates SNN as Good overall. The Valuation pillar is Attractive and the Quality pillar is Good, while Moat and Growth are both Neutral. Whether SNN fits a portfolio depends on individual goals and risk tolerance. The complete pillar breakdown is available to Pro members on uqs-score.com.
Is SNN overvalued?
Based on the UQS framework, SNN's Valuation pillar is rated Attractive, suggesting the stock is not considered expensive relative to its fundamental profile. This does not constitute a price prediction, but it does indicate the market may be pricing in limited near-term upside expectations for the business.
How does SNN compare to its competitors?
Smith & Nephew competes broadly in the medical device space, though its listed peers — Insulet, Align Technology, and Penumbra — each focus on distinct clinical niches. SNN's diversification across orthopedics, sports medicine, and wound care distinguishes it from more narrowly focused device companies. Full UQS comparisons are available on each ticker's page.
What is SNN's market cap bracket?
Smith & Nephew is classified as a large-cap company. This places it among the more established names in the global medical device sector, with the scale to support a broad product portfolio, international distribution, and ongoing research and development investment.
Who founded Smith & Nephew?
Smith & Nephew traces its origins to a pharmacy business founded in the nineteenth century in Hull, England. The modern corporate structure reflects decades of mergers, acquisitions, and strategic evolution. Detailed founding history is widely available through the company's official corporate history resources.
Is SNN a long-term quality stock?
As a long-term quality indicator, SNN's UQS profile shows Good Quality and an Attractive Valuation, which are constructive signals for patient investors. However, Neutral ratings on Moat and Growth suggest the company may need to demonstrate stronger competitive differentiation or revenue acceleration to earn a higher long-term quality designation.
What is the main competitive advantage of Smith & Nephew?
Smith & Nephew's breadth across orthopedic reconstruction, sports medicine, and wound care provides diversification that single-segment device companies lack. Its established relationships with hospital systems and surgeons, combined with a portfolio of proprietary implants and enabling technologies, form the foundation of its competitive position — though the UQS Moat pillar currently rates this as Neutral.
What sector does SNN belong to?
Smith & Nephew operates in the Healthcare sector, specifically within the medical devices and equipment industry. It serves surgical and wound care markets globally, making it sensitive to trends in elective procedure volumes, hospital spending, and healthcare policy across its key geographies.
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Pro Analysis
SNN — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2026 | 58.0 | 61.7 | 42.0 | 53.6 | 57.3 | 85.0 | -0.3 |
| May 7, 2026 | 58.3 | 61.2 | 42.0 | 53.7 | 57.3 | 88.1 | 0.0 |
| May 6, 2026 | 58.3 | 61.2 | 42.0 | 53.7 | 57.3 | 87.5 | +0.1 |
| May 3, 2026 | 58.2 | 61.2 | 42.0 | 53.6 | 57.3 | 87.5 | 0.0 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 58.2 | 61.2 | 42.0 | 53.6 | 57.3 | 87.1 | +0.6 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 57.6 | 61.2 | 42.0 | 53.6 | 57.3 | 83.0 | 0.0 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 57.6 | 61.2 | 42.0 | 53.6 | 57.3 | 83.5 | -0.3 |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 57.9 | 61.2 | 42.0 | 53.6 | 57.3 | 85.5 | -0.1 |
| Apr 12, 2026 | 58.0 | 61.2 | 42.0 | 53.6 | 57.3 | 86.1 | -0.3 |
| Apr 5, 2026 | 58.3 | 61.2 | 42.0 | 53.6 | 57.3 | 87.6 | 0.0 |
SNN — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 61.7/100 (25%)Smith & Nephew plc shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 53.6/100 (20%)Smith & Nephew plc shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 57.3/100 (15%)Smith & Nephew plc maintains a reasonable risk profile with manageable debt levels.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 85.2/100 (15%)Smith & Nephew plc appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 42/100 (25%)Smith & Nephew plc possesses some competitive advantages but faces meaningful competition. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for SNN.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the SNN UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Smith & Nephew plc is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Smith & Nephew plc's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Smith & Nephew plc is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.