CNC vs. UHS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CNC and UHS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CNC | UHS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Centene Corporation | Universal Health Services, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Providers & Services | Health Care Providers & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 13.29 billion USD | 11.36 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | December 13, 2001 | July 9, 1981 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CNC and UHS 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 | CNC | UHS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 7.17% | 5.61% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -56.94% | -6.81% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -53.83% | -5.26% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -64.23% | -18.02% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 3.84% | 7.25% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -55.32% | -0.51% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 15.77M | 0.86M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 11.24M | 0.90M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 88.86% | 34.32% |
| Beta | 0.43 | 1.30 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CNC
7.53%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 26.03%
- Q3
- 13.74%
- Median
- 8.26%
- Q1
- 4.13%
- Min
- -3.62%
CNC’s Return on Equity of 7.53% is on par with the norm for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
UHS
18.62%
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, UHS’s Return on Equity of 18.62% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CNC
1.15%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 12.40%
- Q3
- 5.93%
- Median
- 1.96%
- Q1
- 0.93%
- Min
- -6.10%
CNC’s Net Profit Margin of 1.15% 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.
UHS
7.66%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 12.40%
- Q3
- 5.93%
- Median
- 1.96%
- Q1
- 0.93%
- Min
- -6.10%
A Net Profit Margin of 7.66% places UHS in the upper quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CNC
1.08%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.05%
- Q3
- 10.21%
- Median
- 4.22%
- Q1
- 1.98%
- Min
- -4.27%
CNC’s Operating Profit Margin of 1.08% is in the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
UHS
10.99%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.05%
- Q3
- 10.21%
- Median
- 4.22%
- Q1
- 1.98%
- Min
- -4.27%
An Operating Profit Margin of 10.99% places UHS in the upper quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CNC | UHS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 7.53% | 18.62% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.43% | 8.60% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.15% | 7.66% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.08% | 10.99% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.93% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CNC
1.10
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.01
- Q3
- 1.49
- Median
- 1.30
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.17
CNC’s Current Ratio of 1.10 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.
UHS
1.29
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.01
- Q3
- 1.49
- Median
- 1.30
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.17
UHS’s Current Ratio of 1.29 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)
CNC
0.64
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.17
- Q3
- 1.18
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.00
CNC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.64 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.
UHS
0.65
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.17
- Q3
- 1.18
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.00
UHS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.65 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)
CNC
7.06
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.15
- Median
- 5.45
- Q1
- 2.04
- Min
- -4.44
CNC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.06 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
UHS
9.05
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.15
- Median
- 5.45
- Q1
- 2.04
- Min
- -4.44
UHS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.05 is in the upper quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CNC | UHS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.10 | 1.29 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.10 | 1.19 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.64 | 0.65 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.06 | 9.05 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CNC
0.00%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.38%
- Q3
- 2.22%
- Median
- 0.55%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CNC 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.
UHS
0.46%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.38%
- Q3
- 2.22%
- Median
- 0.55%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UHS’s Dividend Yield of 0.46% is consistent with its peers in the Health Care Providers & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CNC
0.00%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 186.69%
- Q3
- 74.82%
- Median
- 26.76%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CNC 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.
UHS
4.19%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 186.69%
- Q3
- 74.82%
- Median
- 26.76%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UHS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 4.19% 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 | CNC | UHS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.46% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 4.19% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CNC
6.43
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, CNC’s P/E Ratio of 6.43 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
UHS
9.12
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, UHS’s P/E Ratio of 9.12 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CNC
0.07
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.10
- Q3
- 1.74
- Median
- 0.67
- Q1
- 0.24
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, CNC’s P/S Ratio of 0.07 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
UHS
0.70
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.10
- Q3
- 1.74
- Median
- 0.67
- Q1
- 0.24
- Min
- 0.00
UHS’s P/S Ratio of 0.70 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)
CNC
0.99
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.61
- Q3
- 4.32
- Median
- 2.53
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.77
CNC’s P/B Ratio of 0.99 is in the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
UHS
1.66
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.61
- Q3
- 4.32
- Median
- 2.53
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.77
UHS’s P/B Ratio of 1.66 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 | CNC | UHS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 6.43 | 9.12 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.07 | 0.70 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 0.99 | 1.66 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 4.48 | 12.75 |