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 | 33.83 billion USD | 89.82 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 | -0.15% | 6.13% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 5.57% | 12.81% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -13.01% | 6.70% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -14.23% | 20.44% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 4.62% | 14.04% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -10.59% | 57.76% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.08M | 6.07M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.89M | 8.70M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 27.93% | 26.65% |
| Beta | 1.27 | 0.59 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
A
19.46%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.96%
- Q3
- 11.55%
- Median
- 6.22%
- Q1
- 3.86%
- Min
- -6.95%
In the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services 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
5.95%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 26.03%
- Q3
- 13.74%
- Median
- 8.26%
- Q1
- 4.13%
- Min
- -3.62%
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
17.59%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 27.28%
- Q3
- 16.17%
- Median
- 7.24%
- Q1
- 3.00%
- Min
- -3.05%
A Net Profit Margin of 17.59% places A in the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
CVS
1.17%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 12.40%
- Q3
- 5.93%
- Median
- 1.96%
- Q1
- 0.93%
- Min
- -6.10%
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
21.36%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 33.15%
- Q3
- 19.34%
- Median
- 13.02%
- Q1
- 8.05%
- Min
- -4.38%
An Operating Profit Margin of 21.36% places A in the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
CVS
2.44%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.05%
- Q3
- 10.21%
- Median
- 4.22%
- Q1
- 1.98%
- Min
- -4.27%
CVS’s Operating Profit Margin of 2.44% is around the midpoint for the Health Care Providers & Services 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% | 5.95% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.94% | 1.78% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.59% | 1.17% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.36% | 2.44% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 53.77% | 13.82% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
A
2.09
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 4.76
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.85
- Q1
- 1.40
- Min
- 0.43
A’s Current Ratio of 2.09 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
- 2.01
- Q3
- 1.49
- Median
- 1.30
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.17
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
0.57
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.75
- Q3
- 0.83
- Median
- 0.41
- Q1
- 0.18
- Min
- 0.00
A’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.57 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
- 2.17
- Q3
- 1.18
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.45
- 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
- 29.61
- Q3
- 23.24
- Median
- 6.07
- Q1
- 2.18
- 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
- 7.15
- Median
- 5.45
- Q1
- 2.04
- 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) | 2.09 | 0.80 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.60 | 0.62 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.57 | 0.86 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 254.50 | 3.08 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
A
0.82%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.80%
- Q3
- 0.78%
- Median
- 0.37%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 0.82%, 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
3.77%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.38%
- Q3
- 2.22%
- Median
- 0.55%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.77%, 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
23.76%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 156.00%
- Q3
- 65.73%
- Median
- 23.81%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
A’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 23.76% 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
- 186.69%
- Q3
- 74.82%
- Median
- 26.76%
- 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) | 0.82% | 3.77% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 23.76% | 74.62% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
A
29.14
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 117.96
- Q3
- 65.59
- Median
- 37.26
- Q1
- 27.51
- Min
- 1.73
A’s P/E Ratio of 29.14 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
19.81
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 55.89
- Q3
- 30.85
- Median
- 21.17
- Q1
- 12.63
- Min
- 0.00
CVS’s P/E Ratio of 19.81 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
5.13
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 12.46
- Q3
- 6.70
- Median
- 4.24
- Q1
- 2.68
- Min
- 0.73
A’s P/S Ratio of 5.13 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
0.23
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.10
- Q3
- 1.74
- Median
- 0.67
- Q1
- 0.24
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services 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 (MRQ)
A
5.00
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.99
- Q3
- 4.69
- Median
- 3.30
- Q1
- 1.88
- Min
- 1.02
A’s P/B Ratio of 5.00 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
- 7.61
- Q3
- 4.32
- Median
- 2.53
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.77
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) | 29.14 | 19.81 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.13 | 0.23 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.00 | 1.13 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 28.58 | 14.49 |