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 Overview
UNH’s market capitalization of 279.90 billion USD is significantly greater than ALHC’s 2.68 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
ALHC’s beta of 1.22 points to significantly higher volatility compared to UNH (beta: 0.45), suggesting ALHC has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
| Symbol | ALHC | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Alignment Healthcare, Inc. | UnitedHealth Group Incorporated |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Healthcare | Healthcare |
| Industry | Medical - Healthcare Plans | Medical - Healthcare Plans |
| CEO | John E. Kao | Stephen J. Hemsley |
| Price | 13.57 USD | 308.55 USD |
| Market Cap | 2.68 billion USD | 279.90 billion USD |
| Beta | 1.22 | 0.45 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NYSE |
| IPO Date | March 26, 2021 | October 17, 1984 |
| ADR | No | No |
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.
Profitability
Return on Equity
ALHC
-81.24%
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 13.94%
- Q3
- 13.62%
- Median
- 11.42%
- Q1
- 7.74%
- Min
- 6.98%
ALHC has a negative Return on Equity of -81.24%. 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
24.09%
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 13.94%
- Q3
- 13.62%
- Median
- 11.42%
- Q1
- 7.74%
- Min
- 6.98%
UNH’s Return on Equity of 24.09% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Return on Invested Capital
ALHC
-15.02%
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 15.50%
- Q3
- 7.12%
- Median
- 5.48%
- Q1
- -3.47%
- Min
- -15.02%
ALHC has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -15.02%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.
UNH
13.21%
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 15.50%
- Q3
- 7.12%
- Median
- 5.48%
- Q1
- -3.47%
- Min
- -15.02%
In the upper quartile for the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry, UNH’s Return on Invested Capital of 13.21% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
Net Profit Margin
ALHC
-3.02%
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 3.23%
- Q3
- 2.62%
- Median
- 1.70%
- Q1
- 1.27%
- Min
- 1.22%
ALHC has a negative Net Profit Margin of -3.02%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
UNH
5.43%
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 3.23%
- Q3
- 2.62%
- Median
- 1.70%
- Q1
- 1.27%
- Min
- 1.22%
UNH’s Net Profit Margin of 5.43% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
Operating Profit Margin
ALHC
-2.19%
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 4.30%
- Q3
- 3.77%
- Median
- 2.61%
- Q1
- 1.60%
- Min
- -1.64%
ALHC has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -2.19%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
UNH
8.22%
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 4.30%
- Q3
- 3.77%
- Median
- 2.61%
- Q1
- 1.60%
- Min
- -1.64%
UNH’s Operating Profit Margin of 8.22% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ALHC | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -81.24% | 24.09% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -10.12% | 7.14% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | -15.02% | 13.21% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -3.02% | 5.43% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -2.19% | 8.22% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 11.57% | 21.48% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ALHC
1.69
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 1.91
- Q3
- 1.63
- Median
- 1.43
- Q1
- 0.85
- Min
- 0.78
ALHC’s Current Ratio of 1.69 is in the upper quartile for the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
UNH
0.85
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 1.91
- Q3
- 1.63
- Median
- 1.43
- Q1
- 0.85
- Min
- 0.78
UNH’s Current Ratio of 0.85 aligns with the median group of the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
ALHC
0.07
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 1.06
- Q3
- 0.86
- Median
- 0.75
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.66
At 0.07, ALHC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio is unusually low for the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry. This highlights a conservative capital structure, suggesting the company prioritizes financial stability over aggressive growth funded by debt.
UNH
0.86
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 1.06
- Q3
- 0.86
- Median
- 0.75
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.66
UNH’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.86 is typical for the Medical - Healthcare Plans 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
ALHC
-2.98
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 6.23
- Q3
- 6.23
- Median
- 5.19
- Q1
- 4.64
- Min
- 3.18
ALHC has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -2.98. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
UNH
16.30
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 6.23
- Q3
- 6.23
- Median
- 5.19
- Q1
- 4.64
- Min
- 3.18
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 16.30, UNH demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ALHC | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 1.69 | 0.85 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.69 | 0.85 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.07 | 0.86 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.01 | 0.26 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 10.90 | 1.57 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -2.98 | 16.30 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ALHC and UNH. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
ALHC
0.00%
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 3.88%
- Q3
- 1.78%
- Median
- 0.73%
- 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
2.76%
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 3.88%
- Q3
- 1.78%
- Median
- 0.73%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.76%, UNH offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio
ALHC
0.00%
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 63.88%
- Q3
- 29.91%
- Median
- 12.57%
- 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
34.90%
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 63.88%
- Q3
- 29.91%
- Median
- 12.57%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UNH’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 34.90% 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 | ALHC | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 2.76% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 34.90% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ALHC
-28.99
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 18.17
- Q3
- 17.32
- Median
- 15.48
- Q1
- 13.55
- Min
- 12.84
ALHC has a negative P/E Ratio of -28.99. This occurs when a company has negative earnings (a net loss), making the ratio unsuitable for valuation analysis.
UNH
12.81
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 18.17
- Q3
- 17.32
- Median
- 15.48
- Q1
- 13.55
- Min
- 12.84
UNH’s P/E Ratio of 12.81 is below the typical range for the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry. This may indicate that the stock is potentially undervalued, or it could reflect market concerns about the company’s future prospects.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
ALHC
-0.99
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 1.41
- Q3
- 1.09
- Median
- 0.85
- Q1
- 0.79
- Min
- 0.60
ALHC has a negative Forward PEG Ratio of -0.99. This typically results from negative earnings or forecasts of declining future earnings, making the ratio not meaningful for valuation.
UNH
0.78
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 1.41
- Q3
- 1.09
- Median
- 0.85
- Q1
- 0.79
- Min
- 0.60
In the lower quartile for the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry, UNH’s Forward PEG Ratio of 0.78 is a positive indicator. It suggests that the stock may be attractively valued relative to its expected earnings growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
ALHC
0.89
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 0.94
- Q3
- 0.64
- Median
- 0.43
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.16
ALHC’s P/S Ratio of 0.89 is in the upper echelon for the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
UNH
0.69
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 0.94
- Q3
- 0.64
- Median
- 0.43
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.16
UNH’s P/S Ratio of 0.69 is in the upper echelon for the Medical - Healthcare Plans industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio
ALHC
24.30
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 4.08
- Q3
- 3.83
- Median
- 2.63
- Q1
- 1.74
- Min
- 0.96
At 24.30, ALHC’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Medical - Healthcare Plans 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
2.98
Medical - Healthcare Plans Industry
- Max
- 4.08
- Q3
- 3.83
- Median
- 2.63
- Q1
- 1.74
- Min
- 0.96
UNH’s P/B Ratio of 2.98 is within the conventional range for the Medical - Healthcare Plans 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 (P/E, TTM) | -28.99 | 12.81 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | -0.99 | 0.78 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 0.89 | 0.69 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 24.30 | 2.98 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 140.75 | 11.26 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | -55.82 | 10.28 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 0.75 | 0.81 |