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CVS vs. IQV: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

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Here’s a clear look at CVS and IQV, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

SymbolCVSIQV
Company NameCVS Health CorporationIQVIA Holdings Inc.
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS IndustryHealth Care Providers & ServicesLife Sciences Tools & Services
Market Capitalization97.57 billion USD34.10 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateFebruary 21, 1973May 9, 2013
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of CVS and IQV 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.

CVS vs. IQV: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolCVSIQV
5-Day Price Return-0.67%-1.83%
13-Week Price Return15.41%23.81%
26-Week Price Return13.95%19.63%
52-Week Price Return17.90%-10.99%
Month-to-Date Return2.04%5.61%
Year-to-Date Return71.37%2.08%
10-Day Avg. Volume6.43M1.49M
3-Month Avg. Volume7.31M1.79M
3-Month Volatility25.98%48.37%
Beta0.481.37

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

CVS

5.95%

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 5.95% 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.

IQV

19.96%

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
19.96%
Q3
11.51%
Median
6.47%
Q1
3.86%
Min
-6.95%

In the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, IQV’s Return on Equity of 19.96% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

CVS vs. IQV: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Health Care Providers & Services and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

CVS

1.17%

Health Care Providers & Services Industry

Max
11.56%
Q3
5.45%
Median
2.83%
Q1
1.13%
Min
-1.71%

CVS’s Net Profit Margin of 1.17% 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.

IQV

7.88%

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
32.18%
Q3
18.30%
Median
10.19%
Q1
4.20%
Min
-2.05%

IQV’s Net Profit Margin of 7.88% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

CVS vs. IQV: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Health Care Providers & Services and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

CVS

2.44%

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 2.44% 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.

IQV

13.85%

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
38.39%
Q3
21.40%
Median
13.57%
Q1
8.38%
Min
-3.51%

IQV’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.85% is around the midpoint for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

CVS vs. IQV: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Health Care Providers & Services and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolCVSIQV
Return on Equity (TTM)5.95%19.96%
Return on Assets (TTM)1.78%4.50%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)1.17%7.88%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)2.44%13.85%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)13.82%34.25%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

CVS

0.80

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 0.80 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.

IQV

0.84

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
3.46
Q3
2.78
Median
1.91
Q1
1.53
Min
0.43

IQV’s Current Ratio of 0.84 falls into the lower quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

CVS vs. IQV: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Health Care Providers & Services and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

CVS

0.86

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 0.86 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.

IQV

2.68

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
1.35
Q3
0.74
Median
0.41
Q1
0.18
Min
0.00

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.68, IQV operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

CVS vs. IQV: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Health Care Providers & Services and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

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.

IQV

3.68

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
45.00
Q3
27.84
Median
7.16
Q1
2.12
Min
-14.08

IQV’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.68 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

CVS vs. IQV: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Health Care Providers & Services and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolCVSIQV
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.800.84
Quick Ratio (MRQ)0.620.81
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)0.862.68
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)3.083.68

Growth

Revenue Growth

CVS vs. IQV: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

CVS vs. IQV: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

CVS

3.44%

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 3.44%, 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.

IQV

0.00%

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
1.41%
Q3
0.65%
Median
0.35%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

IQV 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.

CVS vs. IQV: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Health Care Providers & Services and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

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.

IQV

0.00%

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
113.14%
Q3
61.34%
Median
17.74%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

IQV 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.

CVS vs. IQV: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Health Care Providers & Services and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolCVSIQV
Dividend Yield (TTM)3.44%0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)74.62%0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

CVS

21.71

Health Care Providers & Services Industry

Max
40.02
Q3
29.75
Median
21.09
Q1
14.18
Min
7.05

CVS’s P/E Ratio of 21.71 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.

IQV

27.64

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
75.35
Q3
51.00
Median
32.93
Q1
25.27
Min
1.43

IQV’s P/E Ratio of 27.64 is within the middle range for the Life Sciences Tools & 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.

CVS vs. IQV: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Health Care Providers & Services and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

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.

IQV

2.18

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
10.49
Q3
6.43
Median
4.66
Q1
2.88
Min
1.08

In the lower quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, IQV’s P/S Ratio of 2.18 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.

CVS vs. IQV: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Health Care Providers & Services and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

CVS

1.13

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 1.13 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.

IQV

4.72

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
6.69
Q3
5.00
Median
3.46
Q1
2.38
Min
0.93

IQV’s P/B Ratio of 4.72 is within the conventional range for the Life Sciences Tools & 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.

CVS vs. IQV: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Health Care Providers & Services and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolCVSIQV
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)21.7127.64
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)0.252.18
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)1.134.72
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)15.8817.01
CVS vs. IQV: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison