CVS vs. HCA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CVS and HCA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CVS | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | CVS Health Corporation | HCA Healthcare, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Providers & Services | Health Care Providers & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 98.43 billion USD | 104.81 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 21, 1973 | March 10, 2011 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CVS and HCA 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 | CVS | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.69% | -2.62% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 19.51% | 19.95% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 16.11% | 27.24% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 35.87% | 29.01% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.78% | -0.08% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 72.73% | 53.02% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 8.69M | 1.37M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 7.64M | 1.35M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 22.60% | 22.57% |
| Beta | 0.48 | 1.38 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CVS
0.62%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 24.86%
- Q3
- 15.79%
- Median
- 8.56%
- Q1
- 5.75%
- Min
- -1.64%
CVS’s Return on Equity of 0.62% is in the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
HCA
695.73%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 24.86%
- Q3
- 15.79%
- Median
- 8.56%
- Q1
- 5.75%
- Min
- -1.64%
HCA’s Return on Equity of 695.73% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CVS
0.12%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 11.56%
- Q3
- 5.45%
- Median
- 2.83%
- Q1
- 1.13%
- Min
- -1.71%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, CVS’s Net Profit Margin of 0.12% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
HCA
8.53%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 11.56%
- Q3
- 5.45%
- Median
- 2.83%
- Q1
- 1.13%
- Min
- -1.71%
A Net Profit Margin of 8.53% places HCA 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)
CVS
1.49%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.08%
- Q3
- 9.66%
- Median
- 4.77%
- Q1
- 2.46%
- Min
- -0.83%
CVS’s Operating Profit Margin of 1.49% 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.
HCA
15.64%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.08%
- Q3
- 9.66%
- Median
- 4.77%
- Q1
- 2.46%
- Min
- -0.83%
An Operating Profit Margin of 15.64% places HCA 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 | CVS | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 0.62% | 695.73% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 0.18% | 10.64% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 0.12% | 8.53% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.49% | 15.64% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.88% | 84.96% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CVS
0.83
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.00
- Q3
- 1.51
- Median
- 1.29
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.14
CVS’s Current Ratio of 0.83 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.
HCA
0.85
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.00
- Q3
- 1.51
- Median
- 1.29
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.14
HCA’s Current Ratio of 0.85 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)
CVS
0.90
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.29
- Q3
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.50
- Min
- 0.00
CVS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.90 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.
HCA
125.80
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.29
- Q3
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.50
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 125.80, HCA operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Health Care Providers & Services industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
CVS
3.08
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.50
- Median
- 4.52
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- -4.44
CVS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.08 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
HCA
5.18
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.50
- Median
- 4.52
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- -4.44
HCA’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.18 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 | CVS | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.83 | 0.85 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.63 | 0.76 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.90 | 125.80 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.08 | 5.18 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CVS
3.38%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.93%
- Q3
- 2.59%
- Median
- 1.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.38%, CVS 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.
HCA
0.65%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.93%
- Q3
- 2.59%
- Median
- 1.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
HCA’s Dividend Yield of 0.65% 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)
CVS
74.62%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 185.33%
- Q3
- 74.82%
- Median
- 36.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CVS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 74.62% is within the typical range for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
HCA
10.75%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 185.33%
- Q3
- 74.82%
- Median
- 36.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
HCA’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 10.75% 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 | CVS | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.38% | 0.65% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 74.62% | 10.75% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CVS
213.80
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 40.02
- Q3
- 29.75
- Median
- 21.09
- Q1
- 14.18
- Min
- 7.05
At 213.80, CVS’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
HCA
16.43
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 40.02
- Q3
- 29.75
- Median
- 21.09
- Q1
- 14.18
- Min
- 7.05
HCA’s P/E Ratio of 16.43 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)
CVS
0.25
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, CVS’s P/S Ratio of 0.25 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.
HCA
1.40
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.15
- Q3
- 1.87
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.09
HCA’s P/S Ratio of 1.40 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)
CVS
1.31
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.33
- Q3
- 4.45
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.66
CVS’s P/B Ratio of 1.31 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.
HCA
256.92
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.33
- Q3
- 4.45
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.66
At 256.92, HCA’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Health Care Providers & Services 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CVS | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 213.80 | 16.43 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.25 | 1.40 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.31 | 256.92 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 15.93 | 12.88 |