CVS Health (CVS) vs. UnitedHealth Group (UNH)
This page compares CVS Health (CVS) with UnitedHealth Group (UNH) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.
Company Profile
CVS Health (CVS) and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) both belong to the Health Care Providers & Services industry, though CVS is classified under Health Care Services while UNH falls under Managed Health Care.
| Symbol | CVS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Name | CVS Health Corporation | UnitedHealth Group Incorporated |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry Group | Health Care Equipment & Services | Health Care Equipment & Services |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Providers & Services | Health Care Providers & Services |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Health Care Services | Managed Health Care |
| Market Capitalization | 120.98 billion USD | 360.05 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 21, 1973 | October 17, 1984 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
Both CVS Health (CVS) at 41.59 and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) at 29.85 post Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on trailing earnings multiple.
CVS
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
41.59
- Max
- 74.55
- Q3
- 42.60
- Median
- 27.79
- Q1
- 18.85
- Min
- 0.80
UNH
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
29.85
- Max
- 74.55
- Q3
- 42.60
- Median
- 27.79
- Q1
- 18.85
- Min
- 0.80
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
Both CVS Health (CVS) at 0.30 and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) at 0.80 fetch a relatively low price per dollar of sales, landing in the cheaper Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) quartile of their industries.
CVS
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
0.30
- Max
- 8.67
- Q3
- 4.11
- Median
- 1.92
- Q1
- 0.95
- Min
- 0.03
UNH
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
0.80
- Max
- 8.67
- Q3
- 4.11
- Median
- 1.92
- Q1
- 0.95
- Min
- 0.03
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
On Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ), both CVS Health (CVS) at 1.56 and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) at 3.68 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.
CVS
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
1.56
- Max
- 10.87
- Q3
- 5.31
- Median
- 2.71
- Q1
- 1.44
- Min
- -1.82
UNH
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
3.68
- Max
- 10.87
- Q3
- 5.31
- Median
- 2.71
- Q1
- 1.44
- Min
- -1.82
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CVS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 41.59 | 29.85 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.30 | 0.80 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.56 | 3.68 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield | 4.30% | 4.91% |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Both CVS Health (CVS) at 3.75% and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) at 12.18% post Return on Equity (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on this measure.
CVS
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
3.75%
- Max
- 53.65%
- Q3
- 13.46%
- Median
- 3.62%
- Q1
- -17.72%
- Min
- -59.21%
UNH
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
12.18%
- Max
- 53.65%
- Q3
- 13.46%
- Median
- 3.62%
- Q1
- -17.72%
- Min
- -59.21%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
Both CVS Health (CVS) at 0.72% and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) at 2.68% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.
CVS
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
0.72%
- Max
- 30.40%
- Q3
- 7.97%
- Median
- 1.52%
- Q1
- -9.70%
- Min
- -34.34%
UNH
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
2.68%
- Max
- 30.40%
- Q3
- 7.97%
- Median
- 1.52%
- Q1
- -9.70%
- Min
- -34.34%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Both CVS Health (CVS) at 4.12% and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) at 8.05% run core operations about as efficiently as their industries’ norm — neither stands out on operating profitability.
CVS
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
4.12%
- Max
- 37.54%
- Q3
- 12.86%
- Median
- 5.48%
- Q1
- -4.58%
- Min
- -25.61%
UNH
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
8.05%
- Max
- 37.54%
- Q3
- 12.86%
- Median
- 5.48%
- Q1
- -4.58%
- Min
- -25.61%
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CVS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 3.75% | 12.18% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.67% | 3.78% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 0.72% | 2.68% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.12% | 8.05% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.39% | 18.80% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | CVS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Revenue Growth | 7.85% | 11.81% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 7.63% | 11.35% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | CVS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year EPS Growth | -62.02% | -14.70% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | -24.73% | -14.52% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both CVS Health (CVS) at 0.87 and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) at 0.80 run Current Ratio (MRQ) in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.
CVS
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
0.87
- Max
- 7.79
- Q3
- 4.27
- Median
- 2.03
- Q1
- 1.34
- Min
- 0.04
UNH
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
0.80
- Max
- 7.79
- Q3
- 4.27
- Median
- 2.03
- Q1
- 1.34
- Min
- 0.04
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) at 0.74 carries Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) around its industry mid-range, while CVS Health (CVS) at 1.01 sits in the higher-leverage quartile.
CVS
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
1.01
- Max
- 2.02
- Q3
- 0.99
- Median
- 0.60
- Q1
- 0.16
- Min
- 0.00
UNH
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
0.74
- Max
- 2.02
- Q3
- 0.99
- Median
- 0.60
- Q1
- 0.16
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CVS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.87 | 0.80 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.01 | 0.74 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 4.32 | 2.18 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both CVS Health (CVS) at 2.81% and UnitedHealth Group (UNH) at 2.34% report Dividend Yield (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on cash yield relative to share price.
CVS
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
2.81%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UNH
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
2.34%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CVS Health (CVS) reports an unusual Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) of 116.67% — outside the typical 0–100% range, indicating either negative earnings (negative ratio) or dividends above current-period earnings (above 100%), both signaling sustainability concerns. Meanwhile UnitedHealth Group (UNH) reports 66.57%, ranking against industry peers normally.
CVS
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
116.67%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UNH
Health Care Equipment & Services industry group
66.57%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividends at a Glance
| Symbol | CVS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.81% | 2.34% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 116.67% | 66.57% |
Performance & Risk
Performance & Risk at a Glance
| Symbol | CVS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Return | 54.61% | 35.71% |
| 1-Year Volatility | 31.06% | 40.24% |
| Beta | 0.63 | 0.64 |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 7.94M | 8.15M |