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 Profile
| Symbol | A | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Agilent Technologies, Inc. | CVS Health Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Health Care Providers & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 40.15 billion USD | 97.46 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 18, 1999 | February 21, 1973 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | A | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 10.33% | 1.92% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 18.75% | 15.24% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 24.16% | 13.03% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -2.03% | 22.12% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 10.33% | 1.92% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 5.41% | 71.17% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.95M | 6.75M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.82M | 7.47M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 33.89% | 26.09% |
| Beta | 1.27 | 0.48 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
A
19.97%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.96%
- Q3
- 11.51%
- Median
- 6.47%
- Q1
- 3.86%
- Min
- -6.95%
A’s Return on Equity of 19.97% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
CVS
5.95%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 24.86%
- Q3
- 15.79%
- Median
- 8.56%
- Q1
- 5.75%
- Min
- -1.64%
CVS’s Return on Equity of 5.95% is on par with the norm for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
A
17.97%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 32.18%
- Q3
- 18.30%
- Median
- 10.19%
- Q1
- 4.20%
- Min
- -2.05%
A’s Net Profit Margin of 17.97% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
CVS
1.17%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 11.56%
- Q3
- 5.45%
- Median
- 2.83%
- Q1
- 1.13%
- Min
- -1.71%
CVS’s Net Profit Margin of 1.17% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
A
21.26%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 38.39%
- Q3
- 21.40%
- Median
- 13.57%
- Q1
- 8.38%
- Min
- -3.51%
A’s Operating Profit Margin of 21.26% is around the midpoint for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
CVS
2.44%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.08%
- Q3
- 9.66%
- Median
- 4.77%
- Q1
- 2.46%
- Min
- -0.83%
CVS’s Operating Profit Margin of 2.44% is in the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | A | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 19.97% | 5.95% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.14% | 1.78% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.97% | 1.17% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.26% | 2.44% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 52.92% | 13.82% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
A
2.25
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.46
- Q3
- 2.78
- Median
- 1.91
- Q1
- 1.53
- Min
- 0.43
A’s Current Ratio of 2.25 aligns with the median group of the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
CVS
0.80
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.00
- Q3
- 1.51
- Median
- 1.29
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.14
CVS’s Current Ratio of 0.80 falls into the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services 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 (MRQ)
A
0.54
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.35
- Q3
- 0.74
- Median
- 0.41
- Q1
- 0.18
- Min
- 0.00
A’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.54 is typical for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
CVS
0.86
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.29
- Q3
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.50
- Min
- 0.00
CVS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.86 is typical for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
A
254.50
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 45.00
- Q3
- 27.84
- Median
- 7.16
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- -14.08
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 254.50, A demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
CVS
3.08
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.50
- Median
- 4.52
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- -4.44
CVS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.08 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | A | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.25 | 0.80 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.71 | 0.62 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.54 | 0.86 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 254.50 | 3.08 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
A
0.70%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.41%
- Q3
- 0.65%
- Median
- 0.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 0.70%, A offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
CVS
3.45%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.93%
- Q3
- 2.59%
- Median
- 1.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.45%, CVS offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Health Care Providers & Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
A
22.95%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 113.14%
- Q3
- 61.34%
- Median
- 17.74%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
A’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 22.95% is within the typical range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
CVS
74.62%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 185.33%
- Q3
- 74.82%
- Median
- 36.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CVS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 74.62% is within the typical range for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | A | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.70% | 3.45% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 22.95% | 74.62% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
A
32.67
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 75.35
- Q3
- 51.00
- Median
- 32.93
- Q1
- 25.27
- Min
- 1.43
A’s P/E Ratio of 32.67 is within the middle range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services 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
21.62
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 40.02
- Q3
- 29.75
- Median
- 21.09
- Q1
- 14.18
- Min
- 7.05
CVS’s P/E Ratio of 21.62 is within the middle range for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
A
5.87
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 10.49
- Q3
- 6.43
- Median
- 4.66
- Q1
- 2.88
- Min
- 1.08
A’s P/S Ratio of 5.87 aligns with the market consensus for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
CVS
0.25
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.15
- Q3
- 1.87
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.09
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, CVS’s P/S Ratio of 0.25 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 (MRQ)
A
5.12
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 6.69
- Q3
- 5.00
- Median
- 3.46
- Q1
- 2.38
- Min
- 0.93
A’s P/B Ratio of 5.12 is in the upper tier for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
CVS
1.13
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.33
- Q3
- 4.45
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.66
CVS’s P/B Ratio of 1.13 is in the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services 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 (TTM) | 32.67 | 21.62 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.87 | 0.25 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.12 | 1.13 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 36.64 | 15.81 |