ALHC vs. UNH: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ALHC and UNH, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ALHC | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Alignment Healthcare, Inc. | UnitedHealth Group Incorporated |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Providers & Services | Health Care Providers & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 2.97 billion USD | 271.56 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 26, 2021 | October 17, 1984 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ALHC and UNH 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 | ALHC | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.95% | 10.44% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -5.58% | -5.08% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 2.62% | -43.55% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 71.26% | -48.19% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 8.13% | 20.15% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 32.44% | -40.73% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.90M | 23.69M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.43M | 18.68M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 48.59% | 48.27% |
| Beta | 1.19 | 0.44 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ALHC
-43.97%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 26.03%
- Q3
- 13.74%
- Median
- 8.26%
- Q1
- 4.13%
- Min
- -3.62%
ALHC has a negative Return on Equity of -43.97%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
UNH
22.26%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 26.03%
- Q3
- 13.74%
- Median
- 8.26%
- Q1
- 4.13%
- Min
- -3.62%
In the upper quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, UNH’s Return on Equity of 22.26% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ALHC
-1.53%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 12.40%
- Q3
- 5.93%
- Median
- 1.96%
- Q1
- 0.93%
- Min
- -6.10%
ALHC has a negative Net Profit Margin of -1.53%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
UNH
5.04%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 12.40%
- Q3
- 5.93%
- Median
- 1.96%
- Q1
- 0.93%
- Min
- -6.10%
UNH’s Net Profit Margin of 5.04% 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)
ALHC
-0.83%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.05%
- Q3
- 10.21%
- Median
- 4.22%
- Q1
- 1.98%
- Min
- -4.27%
ALHC has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -0.83%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
UNH
7.26%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.05%
- Q3
- 10.21%
- Median
- 4.22%
- Q1
- 1.98%
- Min
- -4.27%
UNH’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.26% 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 | ALHC | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -43.97% | 22.26% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -6.05% | 7.01% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -1.53% | 5.04% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -0.83% | 7.26% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.14% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ALHC
1.66
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.01
- Q3
- 1.49
- Median
- 1.30
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.17
ALHC’s Current Ratio of 1.66 is in the upper quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
UNH
0.81
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.01
- Q3
- 1.49
- Median
- 1.30
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.17
UNH’s Current Ratio of 0.81 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)
ALHC
2.29
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.17
- Q3
- 1.18
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.29, ALHC operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Health Care Providers & Services industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
UNH
0.79
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.17
- Q3
- 1.18
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.00
UNH’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.79 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)
ALHC
-4.44
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.15
- Median
- 5.45
- Q1
- 2.04
- Min
- -4.44
ALHC has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -4.44. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
UNH
6.14
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.15
- Median
- 5.45
- Q1
- 2.04
- Min
- -4.44
UNH’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.14 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 | ALHC | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.66 | 0.81 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.49 | 0.60 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.29 | 0.79 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -4.44 | 6.14 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ALHC
0.00%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.38%
- Q3
- 2.22%
- Median
- 0.55%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ALHC currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
UNH
2.88%
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 2.88%, UNH 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)
ALHC
0.00%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 186.69%
- Q3
- 74.82%
- Median
- 26.76%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ALHC has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
UNH
36.54%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 186.69%
- Q3
- 74.82%
- Median
- 26.76%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UNH’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 36.54% 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 | ALHC | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 2.88% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 36.54% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ALHC
--
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 55.89
- Q3
- 30.85
- Median
- 21.17
- Q1
- 12.63
- Min
- 0.00
P/E Ratio data for ALHC is currently unavailable.
UNH
12.70
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 55.89
- Q3
- 30.85
- Median
- 21.17
- Q1
- 12.63
- Min
- 0.00
UNH’s P/E Ratio of 12.70 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)
ALHC
0.89
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.10
- Q3
- 1.74
- Median
- 0.67
- Q1
- 0.24
- Min
- 0.00
ALHC’s P/S Ratio of 0.89 aligns with the market consensus for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
UNH
0.64
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.10
- Q3
- 1.74
- Median
- 0.67
- Q1
- 0.24
- Min
- 0.00
UNH’s P/S Ratio of 0.64 aligns with the market consensus for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
ALHC
19.65
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.61
- Q3
- 4.32
- Median
- 2.53
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.77
At 19.65, ALHC’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
UNH
2.82
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.61
- Q3
- 4.32
- Median
- 2.53
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.77
UNH’s P/B Ratio of 2.82 is within the conventional range for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ALHC | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 12.70 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.89 | 0.64 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 19.65 | 2.82 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 64.10 | 10.70 |