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 | 146.56 billion USD | 295.51 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 | -0.15% | 0.09% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -17.32% | 5.87% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -4.38% | 3.37% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 38.97% | -46.88% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -3.23% | -5.77% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 9.90% | -36.37% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 7.67M | 9.12M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 7.57M | 13.84M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 27.71% | 37.81% |
| Beta | 1.19 | 0.44 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
BA
2,402.16%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 43.89%
- Q3
- 23.64%
- Median
- 12.98%
- Q1
- 8.07%
- Min
- -2.55%
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
18.60%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 24.67%
- Q3
- 15.54%
- Median
- 8.37%
- Q1
- 5.49%
- Min
- -2.09%
In the upper quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, UNH’s Return on Equity of 18.60% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
BA
-12.20%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 14.96%
- Q3
- 9.50%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- 4.45%
- Min
- 1.01%
BA has a negative Net Profit Margin of -12.20%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
UNH
4.04%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 9.33%
- Q3
- 4.80%
- Median
- 2.90%
- Q1
- 0.93%
- Min
- -3.28%
UNH’s Net Profit Margin of 4.04% 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
-10.24%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 17.97%
- Q3
- 12.09%
- Median
- 9.29%
- Q1
- 6.41%
- Min
- -1.59%
BA has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -10.24%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
UNH
6.03%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 18.35%
- Q3
- 8.71%
- Median
- 5.10%
- Q1
- 2.10%
- Min
- -3.07%
UNH’s Operating Profit Margin of 6.03% 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% | 18.60% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -6.38% | 5.71% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -12.20% | 4.04% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -10.24% | 6.03% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.10% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
BA
1.18
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 3.37
- Q3
- 2.01
- Median
- 1.22
- Q1
- 1.07
- Min
- 0.68
BA’s Current Ratio of 1.18 aligns with the median group of the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
UNH
0.95
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.00
- Q3
- 1.56
- Median
- 1.28
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.01
UNH’s Current Ratio of 0.95 aligns with the median group of the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
BA
117.95
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.89
- Q3
- 0.99
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.39
- Min
- 0.03
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
0.84
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.41
- Q3
- 1.39
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.46
- Min
- 0.00
UNH’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.84 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
- 29.86
- Q3
- 19.49
- Median
- 7.09
- Q1
- 2.62
- 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
- 7.46
- Median
- 4.52
- 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) | 1.18 | 0.95 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.38 | 0.75 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 117.95 | 0.84 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -3.60 | 6.14 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
BA
0.17%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.87%
- Q3
- 1.46%
- Median
- 0.58%
- Q1
- 0.10%
- Min
- 0.00%
BA’s Dividend Yield of 0.17% is consistent with its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
UNH
2.67%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.51%
- Q3
- 2.66%
- Median
- 1.06%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.67%, 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
- 110.40%
- Q3
- 51.46%
- Median
- 20.20%
- Q1
- 4.21%
- 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
44.61%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 187.56%
- Q3
- 81.14%
- Median
- 33.42%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UNH’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 44.61% 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) | 0.17% | 2.67% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 44.61% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
BA
--
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 94.22
- Q3
- 53.31
- Median
- 32.27
- Q1
- 24.64
- Min
- 14.57
P/E Ratio data for BA is currently unavailable.
UNH
16.74
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 48.86
- Q3
- 32.22
- Median
- 21.78
- Q1
- 13.97
- Min
- 8.01
UNH’s P/E Ratio of 16.74 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)
BA
1.83
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 7.20
- Q3
- 3.95
- Median
- 2.35
- Q1
- 1.71
- Min
- 0.32
BA’s P/S Ratio of 1.83 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
0.68
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.66
- Q3
- 1.64
- Median
- 0.72
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.10
UNH’s P/S Ratio of 0.68 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
- 18.61
- Q3
- 9.58
- Median
- 5.45
- Q1
- 3.11
- Min
- 0.94
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
3.26
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.33
- Q3
- 4.33
- Median
- 2.48
- Q1
- 1.31
- Min
- 0.65
UNH’s P/B Ratio of 3.26 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) | -- | 16.74 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.83 | 0.68 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1,764.78 | 3.26 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 621.23 | 16.94 |