About Sonic Healthcare Limited (SHL)
Sonic Healthcare Limited is a Diagnostics & Research company operating in the Healthcare sector. The company is headquartered in Sydney, Australia. SHL has been publicly traded since 1988, giving it 38+ years of trading history.
Sonic Healthcare Limited (SHL) has been publicly traded since 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company. It operates in the Diagnostics & Research industry within the Healthcare sector. The company is headquartered in Sydney, Australia and employs approximately 45,000 people. With a market capitalization of A$10 billion, SHL is a large established company.
SHL trades on the Australian Securities Exchange and is classified as a large-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately A$10 billion. The company employs approximately 45,000 people worldwide.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- A$21.20
- Market Cap
- A$10.48B
- 52-Week High
- A$29.24
- 52-Week Low
- A$20.50
- Sector
- Healthcare
- Industry
- Diagnostics & Research
SHL Investment Performance
SHL has declined 4.4% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a A$1,000 investment in SHL would have grown to A$719, representing a -28.1% total return. Since its IPO in 1988, a A$1,000 investment would now be worth A$260,806.
A$1,000 Invested in Sonic Healthcare Limited (SHL)
How much would A$1,000 invested in SHL be worth today?
What would A$1,000 invested in SHL 1 year ago be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Sonic Healthcare Limited (SHL) in 2025 would be worth A$862 as of March 2026, representing a -13.8% total return.
What would A$1,000 invested in SHL 3 years ago be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Sonic Healthcare Limited (SHL) in 2023 would be worth A$685 as of March 2026, representing a -31.5% total return.
What would A$1,000 invested in SHL 5 years ago be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Sonic Healthcare Limited (SHL) in 2021 would be worth A$719 as of March 2026, representing a -28.1% total return.
What would A$1,000 invested in SHL 10 years ago be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Sonic Healthcare Limited (SHL) in 2016 would be worth A$1,576 as of March 2026, representing a +57.6% total return.
What would A$1,000 invested in SHL at IPO be worth today?
A A$1,000 investment in Sonic Healthcare Limited (SHL) at IPO would be worth A$260,806 as of March 2026, representing a +25980.6% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 38+ years (458 months), Sonic Healthcare Limited (SHL) has averaged a monthly return of +1.89% with a median return of +1.07%. The stock had 248 positive months (54%) and 180 negative months (39%). The best month in SHL's history was March 1993 with a +133.3% return, while the worst was June 1990 at -50.0%. Historically, August tends to be the strongest month (averaging +6.1%), and October the weakest (0.1%).
SHL's longest winning streak was 8 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 7 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 1993 with a cumulative return of +207.3%, and the worst was 1990 at -74.1%.
Annual Returns
Over 38 years of trading history, Sonic Healthcare Limited (SHL) has delivered an average annual return of +28.29% with a median return of +12.34%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +15.46%. The stock posted gains in 26 years (68%) and losses in 12 years (32%).
SHL's best year was 1993 with a +320.00% gain, while the worst was 1990 at -66.67%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 7, and the longest losing streak was 3 years. SHL achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 23 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 7 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | -4.42% | A$22.18 | A$21.20 |
| 2025 | -12.62% | A$25.38 | A$22.18 |
| 2024 | -12.60% | A$29.04 | A$25.38 |
| 2023 | +10.53% | A$26.28 | A$29.04 |
| 2022 | -33.75% | A$39.66 | A$26.28 |
| 2021 | +48.62% | A$26.69 | A$39.66 |
| 2020 | +14.93% | A$23.22 | A$26.69 |
| 2019 | +34.14% | A$17.31 | A$23.22 |
| 2018 | -0.08% | A$17.32 | A$17.31 |
| 2017 | +10.78% | A$15.64 | A$17.32 |
| 2016 | +24.17% | A$12.59 | A$15.64 |
| 2015 | +0.06% | A$12.59 | A$12.59 |
| 2014 | +15.93% | A$10.86 | A$12.59 |
| 2013 | +29.79% | A$8.37 | A$10.86 |
| 2012 | +23.81% | A$6.76 | A$8.37 |
| 2011 | +2.34% | A$6.60 | A$6.76 |
| 2010 | -20.77% | A$8.33 | A$6.60 |
| 2009 | +10.36% | A$7.55 | A$8.33 |
| 2008 | -9.65% | A$8.36 | A$7.55 |
| 2007 | +16.07% | A$7.20 | A$8.36 |
| 2006 | +3.72% | A$6.94 | A$7.20 |
| 2005 | +24.72% | A$5.57 | A$6.94 |
| 2004 | +80.07% | A$3.09 | A$5.57 |
| 2003 | +11.26% | A$2.78 | A$3.09 |
| 2002 | -15.49% | A$3.29 | A$2.78 |
| 2001 | -6.71% | A$3.52 | A$3.29 |
| 2000 | +25.23% | A$2.81 | A$3.52 |
| 1999 | +188.92% | A$0.97 | A$2.81 |
| 1998 | +61.31% | A$0.60 | A$0.97 |
| 1997 | +13.42% | A$0.53 | A$0.60 |
| 1996 | +123.49% | A$0.24 | A$0.53 |
| 1995 | +28.85% | A$0.18 | A$0.24 |
| 1994 | -6.17% | A$0.20 | A$0.18 |
| 1993 | +320.00% | A$0.05 | A$0.20 |
| 1992 | +50.00% | A$0.03 | A$0.05 |
| 1991 | +150.00% | A$0.01 | A$0.03 |
| 1990 | -66.67% | A$0.04 | A$0.01 |
| 1989 | -58.62% | A$0.09 | A$0.04 |
SHL Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating Sonic Healthcare Limited as an investment
Valuation
SHL currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 19.1, which is considered moderate relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 15.7 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 1.2. The price-to-sales ratio is 1.0.
Dividends
Sonic Healthcare Limited pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 5.09%. This translates to A$1.08 per share annually. The payout ratio of 97% indicates high dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
SHL has a beta of 0.54, indicating it is less volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is A$20.50 to A$29.24, and it currently trades near its 52-week low.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 15 analyst opinions, SHL has a consensus "hold" rating. The average price target of A$25.98 suggests 22.6% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions: SHL
What sector is SHL in? ▼
SHL operates in the Healthcare sector, specifically in the Diagnostics & Research industry. This sector includes pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, medical device manufacturers, and healthcare providers.
How has SHL performed historically? ▼
Over 38 years of trading history, SHL has posted gains in 26 years (68% of the time). The best year was 1993 with a +320.0% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in SHL? ▼
You can invest in SHL through any brokerage account that offers access to the Australian Securities Exchange. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold SHL.
Does SHL pay dividends? ▼
Sonic Healthcare Limited pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 5.09%. This translates to A$1.08 per share annually. The payout ratio of 97% indicates high dividend coverage.
What does Sonic Healthcare Limited do? ▼
Sonic Healthcare Limited is a Diagnostics & Research company operating in the Healthcare sector. The company is headquartered in Sydney, Australia.
What sector is SHL in? ▼
SHL operates in the Healthcare sector, specifically in the Diagnostics & Research industry.
When did SHL go public? ▼
Sonic Healthcare Limited went public in 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would A$1,000 invested in SHL 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A A$1,000 investment in SHL five years ago would be worth approximately A$719 today, representing a -28.1% return.
How much would A$1,000 invested in SHL 10 years ago be worth today? ▼
A A$1,000 investment in SHL ten years ago would be worth approximately A$1,576 today, representing a 57.6% total return over the decade.
What is SHL's 3-year return? ▼
Over the past 3 years, SHL has returned -31.5%. A A$1,000 investment would have grown to A$685.
How much would A$1,000 invested in SHL at IPO be worth today? ▼
If you invested A$1,000 in SHL at its IPO in 1988, it would be worth approximately A$260,806 today, a 25,980.6% return over 38 years.
Does SHL pay dividends? ▼
Yes, Sonic Healthcare Limited pays a dividend with a current yield of 5.09%, which is A$1.08 per share annually.
What is SHL's market cap? ▼
Sonic Healthcare Limited has a market capitalization of A$10 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.
What is SHL's P/E ratio? ▼
SHL has a trailing P/E ratio of 19.1 and a forward P/E of 15.7, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is SHL a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 15 opinions, SHL has a consensus "hold" rating. The average price target is A$25.98.
Last updated: 3/15/2026