Can Thermo Fisher Scientific Stock Recover If Markets Fall?
Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) stock is down 17.0% in 21 trading days. The recent slide reflects renewed concerns around its cautious 2026 outlook and persistent biotech funding slowdowns, but sharp drops like this often raise a tougher question: is the weakness temporary, or a sign of deeper cracks in the story?
Before judging its downturn reslience, let’s look at where Thermo Fisher Scientific stands today.
- Size: Thermo Fisher Scientific is a $194 Bil company with $44 Bil in revenue currently trading at $513.56.
- Fundamentals: Last 12 month revenue growth of 3.2% and operating margin of 18.4%.
- Liquidity: Has Debt to Equity ratio of 0.18 and Cash to Assets ratio of 0.03
- Valuation: Thermo Fisher Scientific stock is currently trading at P/E multiple of 29.5 and P/EBIT multiple of 22.9
These metrics point to a Weak operational performance, alongside High valuation – making the stock Unattractive. For details, see Buy or Sell TMO Stock
That brings us to the key consideration for investors worried about this fall: how resilient is TMO stock if markets turn south? This is where our downturn resilience framework comes in. Suppose TMO stock falls another 20-30% to $359 – can investors comfortably hold on? Turns out, the stock has been more resilient than the S&P 500 index during various economic downturns, based on (a) how much the stock fell and, (b) how quickly it recovered. Below, we dive deeper into each such downturn.
2022 Inflation Shock
- TMO stock fell 35.3% from a high of $667.24 on 31 December 2021 to $431.41 on 27 October 2023 vs. a peak-to-trough decline of 25.4% for the S&P 500.
- The stock is yet to recover to its pre-Crisis high
- The highest the stock has reached since then is $639.45 on 22 January 2026 , and currently trades at $513.56
| TMO | S&P 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| % Change from Pre-Recession Peak | -35.3% | -25.4% |
| Time to Full Recovery | Not Fully Recovered | 464 days |
2020 Covid Pandemic
- TMO stock fell 24.9% from a high of $340.05 on 22 January 2020 to $255.30 on 23 March 2020 vs. a peak-to-trough decline of 33.9% for the S&P 500.
- However, the stock fully recovered to its pre-Crisis peak by 27 April 2020
| TMO | S&P 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| % Change from Pre-Recession Peak | -24.9% | -33.9% |
| Time to Full Recovery | 35 days | 148 days |
2018 Correction
- TMO stock fell 17.3% from a high of $251.98 on 3 December 2018 to $208.47 on 24 December 2018 vs. a peak-to-trough decline of 19.8% for the S&P 500.
- However, the stock fully recovered to its pre-Crisis peak by 15 February 2019
| TMO | S&P 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| % Change from Pre-Recession Peak | -17.3% | -19.8% |
| Time to Full Recovery | 53 days | 120 days |
2008 Global Financial Crisis
- TMO stock fell 53.9% from a high of $62.70 on 15 August 2008 to $28.90 on 20 November 2008 vs. a peak-to-trough decline of 56.8% for the S&P 500.
- However, the stock fully recovered to its pre-Crisis peak by 18 May 2011
| TMO | S&P 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| % Change from Pre-Recession Peak | -53.9% | -56.8% |
| Time to Full Recovery | 909 days | 1,480 days |
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