CNC vs. UNH: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CNC and UNH, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CNC | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Centene Corporation | 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 | 17.55 billion USD | 315.45 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | December 13, 2001 | October 17, 1984 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CNC 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 | CNC | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.97% | 0.79% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -34.27% | 6.79% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -41.06% | -32.46% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -52.16% | -40.43% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 22.87% | 0.87% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -41.10% | -31.15% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 11.84M | 9.34M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 14.29M | 15.42M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 94.11% | 46.86% |
| Beta | 0.48 | 0.43 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CNC
7.53%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 24.86%
- Q3
- 15.79%
- Median
- 8.56%
- Q1
- 5.75%
- Min
- -1.64%
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.
UNH
22.26%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 24.86%
- Q3
- 15.79%
- Median
- 8.56%
- Q1
- 5.75%
- Min
- -1.64%
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)
CNC
1.15%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 11.56%
- Q3
- 5.45%
- Median
- 2.83%
- Q1
- 1.13%
- Min
- -1.71%
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.
UNH
5.04%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 11.56%
- Q3
- 5.45%
- Median
- 2.83%
- Q1
- 1.13%
- Min
- -1.71%
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)
CNC
1.08%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.08%
- Q3
- 9.66%
- Median
- 4.77%
- Q1
- 2.46%
- Min
- -0.83%
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.
UNH
7.26%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.08%
- Q3
- 9.66%
- Median
- 4.77%
- Q1
- 2.46%
- Min
- -0.83%
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 | CNC | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 7.53% | 22.26% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.43% | 7.01% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.15% | 5.04% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.08% | 7.26% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.93% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CNC
1.10
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.00
- Q3
- 1.51
- Median
- 1.29
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.14
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.
UNH
0.81
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.00
- Q3
- 1.51
- Median
- 1.29
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.14
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)
CNC
0.64
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.29
- Q3
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.50
- 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.
UNH
0.79
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.29
- Q3
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.50
- 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)
CNC
7.06
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.50
- Median
- 4.52
- Q1
- 2.12
- 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.
UNH
6.14
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.50
- Median
- 4.52
- Q1
- 2.12
- 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 | CNC | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.10 | 0.81 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.10 | 0.60 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.64 | 0.79 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.06 | 6.14 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CNC
0.00%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.93%
- Q3
- 2.59%
- Median
- 1.35%
- 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.
UNH
2.47%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.93%
- Q3
- 2.59%
- Median
- 1.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UNH’s Dividend Yield of 2.47% 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
- 185.33%
- Q3
- 74.82%
- Median
- 36.00%
- 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.
UNH
36.54%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 185.33%
- Q3
- 74.82%
- Median
- 36.00%
- 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 | CNC | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 2.47% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 36.54% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CNC
8.52
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 40.02
- Q3
- 29.75
- Median
- 21.09
- Q1
- 14.18
- Min
- 7.05
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, CNC’s P/E Ratio of 8.52 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
UNH
14.79
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 40.02
- Q3
- 29.75
- Median
- 21.09
- Q1
- 14.18
- Min
- 7.05
UNH’s P/E Ratio of 14.79 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)
CNC
0.10
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.15
- Q3
- 1.87
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.09
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, CNC’s P/S Ratio of 0.10 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.
UNH
0.74
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.15
- Q3
- 1.87
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.09
UNH’s P/S Ratio of 0.74 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
- 7.33
- Q3
- 4.45
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.66
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.
UNH
2.82
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.33
- Q3
- 4.45
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.66
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 | CNC | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 8.52 | 14.79 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.10 | 0.74 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 0.99 | 2.82 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 5.93 | 12.45 |