Abbott Laboratories (ABT) vs. UnitedHealth Group (UNH)
This page compares Abbott Laboratories (ABT) with UnitedHealth Group (UNH) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.
Company Profile
Abbott Laboratories (ABT) and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) both fall under the Health Care Equipment & Services industry group, but ABT is classified in Health Care Equipment & Supplies while UNH is classified in Health Care Providers & Services.
| Symbol | ABT | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Abbott Laboratories | UnitedHealth Group Incorporated |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry Group | Health Care Equipment & Services | Health Care Equipment & Services |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Equipment & Supplies | Health Care Providers & Services |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Health Care Equipment | Managed Health Care |
| Market Capitalization | 158.94 billion USD | 375.06 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | October 17, 1984 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
Both Abbott Laboratories (ABT) at 25.56 and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) at 31.05 post Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on trailing earnings multiple.
ABT
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
25.56
- Max
- 79.22
- Q3
- 44.29
- Median
- 27.42
- Q1
- 18.93
- Min
- 0.83
UNH
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
31.05
- Max
- 79.22
- Q3
- 44.29
- Median
- 27.42
- Q1
- 18.93
- Min
- 0.83
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) at 0.83 sits in the cheaper Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) quartile while Abbott Laboratories (ABT) at 3.52 prices around its industry’s middle — UNH costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.
ABT
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
3.52
- Max
- 8.68
- Q3
- 4.19
- Median
- 1.95
- Q1
- 1.02
- Min
- 0.03
UNH
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
0.83
- Max
- 8.68
- Q3
- 4.19
- Median
- 1.95
- Q1
- 1.02
- Min
- 0.03
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
On Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ), both Abbott Laboratories (ABT) at 3.05 and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) at 3.83 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.
ABT
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
3.05
- Max
- 10.99
- Q3
- 5.38
- Median
- 2.75
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- -2.00
UNH
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
3.83
- Max
- 10.99
- Q3
- 5.38
- Median
- 2.75
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- -2.00
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ABT | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 25.56 | 31.05 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.52 | 0.83 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.05 | 3.83 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield | 3.99% | 4.72% |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Both Abbott Laboratories (ABT) at 12.33% and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) at 12.18% post Return on Equity (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on this measure.
ABT
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
12.33%
- Max
- 53.65%
- Q3
- 13.46%
- Median
- 3.62%
- Q1
- -17.72%
- Min
- -59.21%
UNH
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
12.18%
- Max
- 53.65%
- Q3
- 13.46%
- Median
- 3.62%
- Q1
- -17.72%
- Min
- -59.21%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
Abbott Laboratories (ABT) at 13.91% retains a top-quartile share of revenue as profit, ahead of UnitedHealth Group (UNH) at 2.68%, which keeps about the industry-typical share.
ABT
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
13.91%
- Max
- 30.40%
- Q3
- 7.97%
- Median
- 1.52%
- Q1
- -9.70%
- Min
- -34.34%
UNH
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
2.68%
- Max
- 30.40%
- Q3
- 7.97%
- Median
- 1.52%
- Q1
- -9.70%
- Min
- -34.34%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Abbott Laboratories (ABT) at 13.47% operates in the top Operating Profit Margin (TTM) quartile, ahead of UnitedHealth Group (UNH) at 8.05%, which runs around its industry’s norm.
ABT
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
13.47%
- Max
- 37.54%
- Q3
- 12.86%
- Median
- 5.48%
- Q1
- -4.58%
- Min
- -25.61%
UNH
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
8.05%
- Max
- 37.54%
- Q3
- 12.86%
- Median
- 5.48%
- Q1
- -4.58%
- Min
- -25.61%
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ABT | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 12.33% | 12.18% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.59% | 3.78% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.91% | 2.68% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.47% | 8.05% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 56.50% | 18.80% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | ABT | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Revenue Growth | 5.67% | 11.81% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 0.51% | 11.35% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | ABT | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year EPS Growth | -51.31% | -14.70% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | -1.65% | -14.52% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Abbott Laboratories (ABT) at 1.39 keeps Current Ratio (MRQ) within its industry mid-range, while UnitedHealth Group (UNH) at 0.80 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for UNH.
ABT
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
1.39
- Max
- 7.79
- Q3
- 4.27
- Median
- 2.03
- Q1
- 1.34
- Min
- 0.04
UNH
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
0.80
- Max
- 7.79
- Q3
- 4.27
- Median
- 2.03
- Q1
- 1.34
- Min
- 0.04
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
Both Abbott Laboratories (ABT) at 0.65 and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) at 0.74 post Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on leverage.
ABT
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
0.65
- Max
- 2.02
- Q3
- 0.99
- Median
- 0.60
- Q1
- 0.16
- Min
- 0.00
UNH
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
0.74
- Max
- 2.02
- Q3
- 0.99
- Median
- 0.60
- Q1
- 0.16
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ABT | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.39 | 0.80 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.65 | 0.74 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 2.29 | 2.18 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both Abbott Laboratories (ABT) at 2.76% and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) at 2.25% report Dividend Yield (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on cash yield relative to share price.
ABT
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
2.76%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UNH
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
2.25%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both Abbott Laboratories (ABT) at 67.23% and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) at 66.57% post Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) outside their industries’ typical mid-range — either leaning toward more retention or more distribution than the industry median.
ABT
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
67.23%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UNH
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
66.57%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividends at a Glance
| Symbol | ABT | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.76% | 2.25% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 67.23% | 66.57% |
Performance & Risk
Performance & Risk at a Glance
| Symbol | ABT | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Return | -30.87% | 37.87% |
| 1-Year Volatility | 24.47% | 40.25% |
| Beta | 0.60 | 0.62 |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 12.78M | 8.25M |