EW vs. UNH: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at EW and UNH, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | EW | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Edwards Lifesciences Corporation | UnitedHealth Group Incorporated |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Equipment & Supplies | Health Care Providers & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 50.58 billion USD | 295.51 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 27, 2000 | October 17, 1984 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of EW 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 | EW | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.64% | 0.09% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 10.27% | 5.87% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 14.30% | 3.37% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 29.74% | -46.88% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 4.67% | -5.77% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 16.57% | -36.37% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.75M | 9.12M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.63M | 13.84M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 20.48% | 37.81% |
| Beta | 0.93 | 0.44 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
EW
13.39%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 29.82%
- Q3
- 15.54%
- Median
- 9.69%
- Q1
- 5.19%
- Min
- -7.98%
EW’s Return on Equity of 13.39% is on par with the norm for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
UNH
18.60%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 24.67%
- Q3
- 15.54%
- Median
- 8.37%
- Q1
- 5.49%
- Min
- -2.09%
In the upper quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, UNH’s Return on Equity of 18.60% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
EW
23.25%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 24.65%
- Q3
- 14.10%
- Median
- 10.09%
- Q1
- 5.84%
- Min
- -6.13%
A Net Profit Margin of 23.25% places EW in the upper quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
UNH
4.04%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 9.33%
- Q3
- 4.80%
- Median
- 2.90%
- Q1
- 0.93%
- Min
- -3.28%
UNH’s Net Profit Margin of 4.04% 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)
EW
23.43%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 31.34%
- Q3
- 18.36%
- Median
- 15.07%
- Q1
- 9.62%
- Min
- -0.13%
An Operating Profit Margin of 23.43% places EW in the upper quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
UNH
6.03%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 18.35%
- Q3
- 8.71%
- Median
- 5.10%
- Q1
- 2.10%
- Min
- -3.07%
UNH’s Operating Profit Margin of 6.03% 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 | EW | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 13.39% | 18.60% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.36% | 5.71% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 23.25% | 4.04% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 23.43% | 6.03% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 78.19% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
EW
4.00
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.97
- Q3
- 2.92
- Median
- 2.12
- Q1
- 1.54
- Min
- 0.86
EW’s Current Ratio of 4.00 is in the upper quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
UNH
0.95
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.00
- Q3
- 1.56
- Median
- 1.28
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.01
UNH’s Current Ratio of 0.95 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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
EW
0.06
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.62
- Q3
- 0.74
- Median
- 0.47
- Q1
- 0.15
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, EW’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.06 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
UNH
0.84
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.41
- Q3
- 1.39
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.46
- Min
- 0.00
UNH’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.84 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)
EW
3.15
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 56.35
- Q3
- 24.86
- Median
- 9.84
- Q1
- 3.86
- Min
- -21.65
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, EW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.15 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
UNH
6.14
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.46
- Median
- 4.52
- Q1
- 2.04
- 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 | EW | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 4.00 | 0.95 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 3.21 | 0.75 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.06 | 0.84 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.15 | 6.14 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
EW
0.00%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.36%
- Q3
- 1.87%
- Median
- 0.82%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
EW 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
2.67%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.51%
- Q3
- 2.66%
- Median
- 1.06%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.67%, UNH 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
EW
0.00%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 160.00%
- Q3
- 67.77%
- Median
- 28.21%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
EW 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
44.61%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 187.56%
- Q3
- 81.14%
- Median
- 33.42%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UNH’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 44.61% 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 | EW | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 2.67% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 44.61% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
EW
36.52
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 67.59
- Q3
- 41.41
- Median
- 33.11
- Q1
- 22.82
- Min
- 8.68
EW’s P/E Ratio of 36.52 is within the middle range for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies 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
16.74
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 48.86
- Q3
- 32.22
- Median
- 21.78
- Q1
- 13.97
- Min
- 8.01
UNH’s P/E Ratio of 16.74 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)
EW
8.49
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 9.49
- Q3
- 5.41
- Median
- 2.92
- Q1
- 1.97
- Min
- 0.61
EW’s P/S Ratio of 8.49 is in the upper echelon for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
UNH
0.68
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.66
- Q3
- 1.64
- Median
- 0.72
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.10
UNH’s P/S Ratio of 0.68 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)
EW
4.47
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 10.77
- Q3
- 6.04
- Median
- 3.32
- Q1
- 2.31
- Min
- 0.83
EW’s P/B Ratio of 4.47 is within the conventional range for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies 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.
UNH
3.26
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.33
- Q3
- 4.33
- Median
- 2.48
- Q1
- 1.31
- Min
- 0.65
UNH’s P/B Ratio of 3.26 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 | EW | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 36.52 | 16.74 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 8.49 | 0.68 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.47 | 3.26 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 50.89 | 16.94 |