About Smith & Nephew plc (SN)
Smith & Nephew plc is a Medical Devices company operating in the Healthcare sector. The company is headquartered in Watford, United Kingdom. SN has been publicly traded since 1988, giving it 38+ years of trading history.
Smith & Nephew plc (SN) has been publicly traded since 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company. It operates in the Medical Devices industry within the Healthcare sector. The company is headquartered in Watford, United Kingdom and employs approximately 17,000 people. With a market capitalization of £11 billion, SN is a large established company.
SN trades on the London Stock Exchange and is classified as a large-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately £11 billion. The company employs approximately 17,000 people worldwide.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- £1,248.00
- Market Cap
- £10.60B
- 52-Week High
- £1,441.50
- 52-Week Low
- £937.80
- Sector
- Healthcare
- Industry
- Medical Devices
SN Investment Performance
SN has gained 0.8% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a £1,000 investment in SN would have grown to £889, representing a -11.1% total return. Since its IPO in 1988, a £1,000 investment would now be worth £7,469.
£1,000 Invested in Smith & Nephew plc (SN)
How much would £1,000 invested in SN be worth today?
What would £1,000 invested in SN 1 year ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Smith & Nephew plc (SN) in 2025 would be worth £1,129 as of March 2026, representing a +12.9% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in SN 3 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Smith & Nephew plc (SN) in 2023 would be worth £1,063 as of March 2026, representing a +6.3% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in SN 5 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Smith & Nephew plc (SN) in 2021 would be worth £889 as of March 2026, representing a -11.1% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in SN 10 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Smith & Nephew plc (SN) in 2016 would be worth £1,110 as of March 2026, representing a +11.0% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in SN at IPO be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Smith & Nephew plc (SN) at IPO would be worth £7,469 as of March 2026, representing a +646.9% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 37+ years (452 months), Smith & Nephew plc (SN) has averaged a monthly return of +0.69% with a median return of +0.00%. The stock had 213 positive months (47%) and 210 negative months (46%). The best month in SN's history was June 2000 with a +37.1% return, while the worst was March 2020 at -17.5%. Historically, December tends to be the strongest month (averaging +2.9%), and March the weakest (-1.5%).
SN's longest winning streak was 6 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 5 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 2009 with a cumulative return of +42.1%, and the worst was 1990 at -20.9%.
Annual Returns
Over 38 years of trading history, Smith & Nephew plc (SN) has delivered an average annual return of +7.23% with a median return of +2.67%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +5.92%. The stock posted gains in 25 years (66%) and losses in 13 years (34%).
SN's best year was 2009 with a +45.86% gain, while the worst was 2008 at -24.39%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 8, and the longest losing streak was 5 years. SN achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 14 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 5 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +0.77% | £1,238.50 | £1,248.00 |
| 2025 | +24.95% | £991.16 | £1,238.50 |
| 2024 | -8.05% | £1,077.94 | £991.16 |
| 2023 | -2.77% | £1,108.61 | £1,077.94 |
| 2022 | -14.20% | £1,292.11 | £1,108.61 |
| 2021 | -14.32% | £1,508.07 | £1,292.11 |
| 2020 | -17.58% | £1,829.78 | £1,508.07 |
| 2019 | +25.19% | £1,461.57 | £1,829.78 |
| 2018 | +13.69% | £1,285.61 | £1,461.57 |
| 2017 | +5.51% | £1,218.51 | £1,285.61 |
| 2016 | +1.10% | £1,205.31 | £1,218.51 |
| 2015 | +1.70% | £1,185.14 | £1,205.31 |
| 2014 | +38.00% | £858.77 | £1,185.14 |
| 2013 | +26.74% | £677.58 | £858.77 |
| 2012 | +8.65% | £623.61 | £677.58 |
| 2011 | -7.52% | £674.35 | £623.61 |
| 2010 | +5.80% | £637.37 | £674.35 |
| 2009 | +45.86% | £436.96 | £637.37 |
| 2008 | -24.39% | £577.90 | £436.96 |
| 2007 | +8.83% | £531.02 | £577.90 |
| 2006 | -0.46% | £533.45 | £531.02 |
| 2005 | +0.48% | £530.91 | £533.45 |
| 2004 | +13.60% | £467.37 | £530.91 |
| 2003 | +23.34% | £378.93 | £467.37 |
| 2002 | -8.41% | £413.73 | £378.93 |
| 2001 | +34.05% | £308.64 | £413.73 |
| 2000 | +22.27% | £252.42 | £308.64 |
| 1999 | +11.27% | £226.85 | £252.42 |
| 1998 | +3.64% | £218.89 | £226.85 |
| 1997 | -0.24% | £219.42 | £218.89 |
| 1996 | -3.08% | £226.39 | £219.42 |
| 1995 | +28.16% | £176.64 | £226.39 |
| 1994 | +0.03% | £176.58 | £176.64 |
| 1993 | +0.03% | £176.53 | £176.58 |
| 1992 | -3.19% | £182.34 | £176.53 |
| 1991 | +33.39% | £136.69 | £182.34 |
| 1990 | -20.77% | £172.53 | £136.69 |
| 1989 | +22.84% | £140.45 | £172.53 |
SN Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating Smith & Nephew plc as an investment
Valuation
SN currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 23.1, which is considered moderate relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 13.3 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 270.6. The price-to-sales ratio is 1.7.
Dividends
Smith & Nephew plc pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 2.33%. This translates to £0.29 per share annually. The payout ratio of 53% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
SN has a beta of 0.68, indicating it is less volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is £937.80 to £1441.50, and it currently trades in the upper half of its 52-week range.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 17 analyst opinions, SN has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target of £1442.22 suggests 15.6% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions: SN
What sector is SN in? ▼
SN operates in the Healthcare sector, specifically in the Medical Devices industry. This sector includes pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, medical device manufacturers, and healthcare providers.
How has SN performed historically? ▼
Over 38 years of trading history, SN has posted gains in 25 years (66% of the time). The best year was 2009 with a +45.9% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in SN? ▼
You can invest in SN through any brokerage account that offers access to the London Stock 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 SN.
Does SN pay dividends? ▼
Smith & Nephew plc pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 2.33%. This translates to £0.29 per share annually. The payout ratio of 53% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
What does Smith & Nephew plc do? ▼
Smith & Nephew plc is a Medical Devices company operating in the Healthcare sector. The company is headquartered in Watford, United Kingdom.
What sector is SN in? ▼
SN operates in the Healthcare sector, specifically in the Medical Devices industry.
When did SN go public? ▼
Smith & Nephew plc went public in 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would £1,000 invested in SN 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A £1,000 investment in SN five years ago would be worth approximately £889 today, representing a -11.1% return.
Does SN pay dividends? ▼
Yes, Smith & Nephew plc pays a dividend with a current yield of 2.33%, which is £0.29 per share annually.
What is SN's market cap? ▼
Smith & Nephew plc has a market capitalization of £11 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.
What is SN's P/E ratio? ▼
SN has a trailing P/E ratio of 23.1 and a forward P/E of 13.3, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is SN a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 17 opinions, SN has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target is £1442.22.
Last updated: 3/14/2026