BA vs. UNH: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at BA and UNH, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | BA | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | The Boeing Company | UnitedHealth Group Incorporated |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Health Care Providers & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 176.46 billion USD | 246.17 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | October 17, 1984 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of BA 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 | BA | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.66% | 11.09% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 17.55% | -28.24% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 26.28% | -48.72% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 42.19% | -51.92% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 5.20% | 8.92% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 31.85% | -46.27% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 6.02M | 18.88M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 8.67M | 17.33M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 27.11% | 59.79% |
| Beta | 1.51 | 0.45 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
BA
2,402.16%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 43.89%
- Q3
- 22.42%
- Median
- 12.50%
- Q1
- 5.21%
- Min
- -6.24%
BA’s Return on Equity of 2,402.16% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
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)
BA
-14.18%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 14.54%
- Q3
- 8.08%
- Median
- 6.17%
- Q1
- 2.49%
- Min
- -1.63%
BA has a negative Net Profit Margin of -14.18%, 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)
BA
-12.27%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 16.63%
- Q3
- 10.38%
- Median
- 8.29%
- Q1
- 6.21%
- Min
- 0.95%
BA has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -12.27%. 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 | BA | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 2,402.16% | 22.26% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -7.06% | 7.01% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -14.18% | 5.04% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -12.27% | 7.26% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | -0.32% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
BA
1.23
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 3.09
- Q3
- 1.98
- Median
- 1.23
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.02
BA’s Current Ratio of 1.23 aligns with the median group of the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector 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)
BA
117.95
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.70
- Q3
- 1.04
- Median
- 0.68
- Q1
- 0.41
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 117.95, BA operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Aerospace & Defense 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)
BA
-3.60
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 36.57
- Q3
- 19.90
- Median
- 7.04
- Q1
- 2.40
- Min
- -7.63
BA has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -3.60. 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 | BA | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.23 | 0.81 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.38 | 0.60 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 117.95 | 0.79 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -3.60 | 6.14 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
BA
0.09%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.03%
- Q3
- 1.22%
- Median
- 0.43%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BA’s Dividend Yield of 0.09% is consistent with its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
UNH
3.17%
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 3.17%, 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)
BA
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 83.87%
- Q3
- 49.90%
- Median
- 16.48%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BA 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 | BA | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.09% | 3.17% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 36.54% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
BA
--
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 65.97
- Q3
- 54.11
- Median
- 34.53
- Q1
- 23.66
- Min
- 0.00
P/E Ratio data for BA is currently unavailable.
UNH
11.53
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 55.89
- Q3
- 30.85
- Median
- 21.17
- Q1
- 12.63
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, UNH’s P/E Ratio of 11.53 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
BA
2.36
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 8.07
- Q3
- 4.49
- Median
- 2.42
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.00
BA’s P/S Ratio of 2.36 aligns with the market consensus for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
UNH
0.58
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 0.58 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)
BA
1,764.78
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 13.67
- Q3
- 7.92
- Median
- 4.65
- Q1
- 2.68
- Min
- 0.82
At 1,764.78, BA’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Aerospace & Defense 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 | BA | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 11.53 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.36 | 0.58 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1,764.78 | 2.82 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 32.11 | 9.71 |