CVS vs. UNH: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CVS and UNH, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CVS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | CVS Health 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 | 95.10 billion USD | 319.26 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 21, 1973 | October 17, 1984 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CVS 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 | CVS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.38% | -0.01% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 10.72% | 9.23% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 13.05% | -28.42% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 27.69% | -40.88% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.42% | 12.27% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 63.64% | -31.23% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 8.52M | 16.91M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 8.05M | 19.75M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 27.65% | 47.05% |
| Beta | 0.60 | 0.47 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CVS
5.95%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 24.86%
- Q3
- 14.48%
- Median
- 9.02%
- Q1
- 5.17%
- 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.
UNH
22.26%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 24.86%
- Q3
- 14.48%
- Median
- 9.02%
- Q1
- 5.17%
- 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)
CVS
1.17%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 11.56%
- Q3
- 5.67%
- Median
- 2.83%
- Q1
- 1.10%
- Min
- -5.57%
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.
UNH
5.04%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 11.56%
- Q3
- 5.67%
- Median
- 2.83%
- Q1
- 1.10%
- Min
- -5.57%
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)
CVS
2.44%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.05%
- Q3
- 9.66%
- Median
- 4.77%
- Q1
- 2.51%
- 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.
UNH
7.26%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.05%
- Q3
- 9.66%
- Median
- 4.77%
- Q1
- 2.51%
- 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 | CVS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 5.95% | 22.26% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 1.78% | 7.01% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.17% | 5.04% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.44% | 7.26% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.82% | -- |
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.
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)
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.
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)
CVS
3.08
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.77
- Q3
- 7.50
- Median
- 5.16
- 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.
UNH
6.14
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.77
- Q3
- 7.50
- Median
- 5.16
- 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 | CVS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.80 | 0.81 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.62 | 0.60 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.86 | 0.79 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.08 | 6.14 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CVS
3.62%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.56%
- Q3
- 2.54%
- Median
- 1.25%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.62%, 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.
UNH
2.46%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.56%
- Q3
- 2.54%
- Median
- 1.25%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UNH’s Dividend Yield of 2.46% 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)
CVS
74.62%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 187.56%
- Q3
- 77.15%
- 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.
UNH
36.54%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 187.56%
- Q3
- 77.15%
- 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 | CVS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.62% | 2.46% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 74.62% | 36.54% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CVS
20.62
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 50.64
- Q3
- 29.91
- Median
- 21.43
- Q1
- 14.61
- Min
- 7.04
CVS’s P/E Ratio of 20.62 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.
UNH
14.84
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 50.64
- Q3
- 29.91
- Median
- 21.43
- Q1
- 14.61
- Min
- 7.04
UNH’s P/E Ratio of 14.84 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
0.24
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.05
- Q3
- 1.83
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.29
- Min
- 0.08
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, CVS’s P/S Ratio of 0.24 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
0.75
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.05
- Q3
- 1.83
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.29
- Min
- 0.08
UNH’s P/S Ratio of 0.75 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
1.13
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.94
- Q3
- 4.45
- Median
- 2.59
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.68
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.
UNH
2.82
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.94
- Q3
- 4.45
- Median
- 2.59
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.68
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 | CVS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 20.62 | 14.84 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.24 | 0.75 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.13 | 2.82 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 15.08 | 12.50 |