Danaher (NYSE:DHR) Posts Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.09 EPS

Danaher (NYSE:DHR) released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The conglomerate reported $2.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.14 by $0.09, Zacks reports. The business had revenue of $6.84 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.79 billion. Danaher had a return on equity of 10.81% and a net margin of 14.71%.The business’s quarterly revenue was up 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.14 EPS. Danaher updated its FY 2026 guidance to 8.350-8.500 EPS.

Here are the key takeaways from Danaher’s conference call:

• Danaher set 2026 targets of 3%–6% core revenue growth and initiated full?year adjusted diluted EPS of $8.35–$8.50, with first?quarter adjusted operating margin around 28.5%.
• The company expects continued strength in bioprocessing with high?single?digit core revenue growth in 2026—consumables remain robust (driven by monoclonal antibody demand) and equipment orders are improving toward a flat year, supported by backlog and shorter?cycle projects.
• Diagnostics showed momentum—Cepheid respiratory revenue is modeled at about $1.8 billion for 2026 (normal season assumption), Cepheid’s non?respiratory menu grew strongly and the company highlighted recent product wins including FDA clearance of the Xpert GI Panel and ~25% growth in new product revenue.
• Financial and margin strength: Danaher generated $5.3 billion of free cash flow in 2025 (?145% FCF/net income conversion) and realized ~$250 million of 2025 cost actions (about $0.30 EPS benefit), achieved via productivity measures including rooftop consolidations and headcount reductions.

Danaher Trading Down 2.2%

Shares of DHR stock opened at $219.62 on Friday. Danaher has a twelve month low of $171.00 and a twelve month high of $242.80. The company has a market capitalization of $155.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 43.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a current ratio of 1.87, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The business’s 50 day moving average is $230.77 and its two-hundred day moving average is $213.81.

Danaher Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 26th will be given a dividend of $0.32 per share. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 26th. Danaher’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.39%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have weighed in on DHR. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Danaher from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, November 22nd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Danaher in a research report on Monday, December 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Danaher from $270.00 to $275.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday. Evercore ISI restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $254.00 price objective on shares of Danaher in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on Danaher from $265.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Twenty analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $252.55.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Teri List sold 3,298 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $226.50, for a total value of $746,997.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 20,762 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,702,593. This trade represents a 13.71% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Brian W. Ellis sold 21,776 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $219.23, for a total value of $4,773,952.48. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 14,553 shares in the company, valued at $3,190,454.19. This represents a 59.94% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 30,248 shares of company stock valued at $6,609,663 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 11.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Danaher

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Danaher in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new position in Danaher during the second quarter worth about $26,000. Militia Capital Partners LP purchased a new position in Danaher in the third quarter valued at about $59,000. Zuckerman Investment Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Danaher during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $222,000. Finally, Banco BTG Pactual S.A. purchased a new stake in shares of Danaher during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $225,000. 79.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Danaher

Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) is a global science and technology company that designs, manufactures and markets products and services for the life sciences, diagnostics, and environmental and applied markets. The company organizes its operations into business segments focused on Life Sciences, Diagnostics, and Environmental & Applied Solutions, supplying instruments, reagents, software and related services that support research, clinical testing, biopharmaceutical development, and industrial and environmental monitoring.

Products and services in Danaher’s portfolio include analytical and diagnostic instruments, laboratory consumables and reagents, digital and software solutions for workflow and data management, field and industrial monitoring equipment, and service and maintenance programs.