A vs. CVS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at A and CVS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
CVS’s market capitalization of 85.30 billion USD is significantly greater than A’s 34.48 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
A’s beta of 1.23 points to significantly higher volatility compared to CVS (beta: 0.56), suggesting A has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
| Symbol | A | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Agilent Technologies, Inc. | CVS Health Corporation |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Healthcare | Healthcare |
| Industry | Medical - Diagnostics & Research | Medical - Healthcare Plans |
| CEO | Padraig McDonnell | J. David Joyner CEBS |
| Price | 121.38 USD | 67.43 USD |
| Market Cap | 34.48 billion USD | 85.30 billion USD |
| Beta | 1.23 | 0.56 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| IPO Date | November 18, 1999 | November 20, 1996 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of A and CVS by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period.
Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Profitability
Return on Equity
A
19.46%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 57.35%
- Q3
- 18.17%
- Median
- 2.69%
- Q1
- -16.72%
- Min
- -48.78%
In the upper quartile for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, A’s Return on Equity of 19.46% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
CVS
6.98%
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 13.94%
- Q3
- 13.62%
- Median
- 11.42%
- Q1
- 7.74%
- Min
- 6.98%
CVS’s Return on Equity of 6.98% is in the lower quartile for the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
Return on Invested Capital
A
11.71%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 42.99%
- Q3
- 11.55%
- Median
- 3.02%
- Q1
- -11.49%
- Min
- -40.79%
In the upper quartile for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, A’s Return on Invested Capital of 11.71% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
CVS
4.03%
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 15.50%
- Q3
- 7.12%
- Median
- 5.48%
- Q1
- -3.47%
- Min
- -15.02%
CVS’s Return on Invested Capital of 4.03% is in line with the norm for the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
Net Profit Margin
A
17.59%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 22.76%
- Q3
- 15.19%
- Median
- 1.64%
- Q1
- -22.25%
- Min
- -78.24%
A Net Profit Margin of 17.59% places A in the upper quartile for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
CVS
1.39%
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 3.23%
- Q3
- 2.62%
- Median
- 1.70%
- Q1
- 1.27%
- Min
- 1.22%
CVS’s Net Profit Margin of 1.39% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin
A
21.38%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 36.06%
- Q3
- 20.26%
- Median
- 6.15%
- Q1
- -21.89%
- Min
- -82.21%
An Operating Profit Margin of 21.38% places A in the upper quartile for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
CVS
2.54%
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 4.30%
- Q3
- 3.77%
- Median
- 2.61%
- Q1
- 1.60%
- Min
- -1.64%
CVS’s Operating Profit Margin of 2.54% is around the midpoint for the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | A | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 19.46% | 6.98% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.59% | 2.07% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 11.71% | 4.03% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.59% | 1.39% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.38% | 2.54% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 53.79% | 14.05% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
A
2.09
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 6.91
- Q3
- 4.11
- Median
- 2.46
- Q1
- 1.44
- Min
- 0.73
A’s Current Ratio of 2.09 aligns with the median group of the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
CVS
0.82
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 1.91
- Q3
- 1.63
- Median
- 1.43
- Q1
- 0.85
- Min
- 0.78
CVS’s Current Ratio of 0.82 falls into the lower quartile for the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
A
0.57
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 1.10
- Q3
- 0.82
- Median
- 0.39
- Q1
- 0.21
- Min
- 0.01
A’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.57 is typical for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
CVS
1.06
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 1.06
- Q3
- 0.86
- Median
- 0.75
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.66
CVS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.06. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio
A
-472.33
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 37.07
- Q3
- 5.62
- Median
- 1.76
- Q1
- -38.78
- Min
- -57.46
A has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -472.33. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
CVS
3.18
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 6.23
- Q3
- 6.23
- Median
- 5.19
- Q1
- 4.64
- Min
- 3.18
In the lower quartile for the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry, CVS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.18 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | A | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 2.09 | 0.82 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.60 | 0.63 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.57 | 1.06 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.29 | 0.32 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 1.43 | 4.80 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -472.33 | 3.18 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for A and CVS. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
A
0.81%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 2.76%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 0.81%, A offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
CVS
3.94%
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 3.88%
- Q3
- 1.78%
- Median
- 0.73%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CVS’s Dividend Yield of 3.94% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.
Dividend Payout Ratio
A
23.76%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 37.46%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
A’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 23.76% is in the upper quartile for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
CVS
63.88%
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 63.88%
- Q3
- 29.91%
- Median
- 12.57%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CVS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 63.88% is in the upper quartile for the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | A | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.81% | 3.94% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 23.76% | 63.88% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
A
29.67
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 48.28
- Q3
- 44.64
- Median
- 29.13
- Q1
- 22.34
- Min
- 15.59
A’s P/E Ratio of 29.67 is within the middle range for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
CVS
16.10
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 18.17
- Q3
- 17.32
- Median
- 15.48
- Q1
- 13.55
- Min
- 12.84
CVS’s P/E Ratio of 16.10 is within the middle range for the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
A
3.80
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 4.18
- Q3
- 3.64
- Median
- 2.40
- Q1
- 0.57
- Min
- 0.04
A Forward PEG Ratio of 3.80 places A in the upper quartile for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry. This suggests the stock is potentially expensive compared to its peers relative to its growth forecast, which may warrant caution.
CVS
1.39
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 1.41
- Q3
- 1.09
- Median
- 0.85
- Q1
- 0.79
- Min
- 0.60
A Forward PEG Ratio of 1.39 places CVS in the upper quartile for the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry. This suggests the stock is potentially expensive compared to its peers relative to its growth forecast, which may warrant caution.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
A
5.20
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 12.53
- Q3
- 6.19
- Median
- 3.58
- Q1
- 1.95
- Min
- 0.58
A’s P/S Ratio of 5.20 aligns with the market consensus for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
CVS
0.23
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 0.94
- Q3
- 0.64
- Median
- 0.43
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.16
In the lower quartile for the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry, CVS’s P/S Ratio of 0.23 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio
A
5.64
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 10.67
- Q3
- 5.74
- Median
- 2.95
- Q1
- 1.30
- Min
- 0.39
The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry.
CVS
1.11
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 4.08
- Q3
- 3.83
- Median
- 2.63
- Q1
- 1.74
- Min
- 0.96
CVS’s P/B Ratio of 1.11 is in the lower quartile for the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | A | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 29.67 | 16.10 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 3.80 | 1.39 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 5.20 | 0.23 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 5.64 | 1.11 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 24.63 | 14.36 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 25.95 | 10.56 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 5.51 | 0.41 |