IBM vs. UNH: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at IBM and UNH, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | IBM | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | International Business Machines Corporation | UnitedHealth Group Incorporated |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | IT Services | Health Care Providers & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 281.44 billion USD | 295.51 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | October 17, 1984 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of IBM 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 | IBM | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.11% | 0.09% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 27.52% | 5.87% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 18.21% | 3.37% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 44.93% | -46.88% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.56% | -5.77% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 39.06% | -36.37% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 4.95M | 9.12M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 5.47M | 13.84M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 27.54% | 37.81% |
| Beta | 0.68 | 0.44 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
IBM
28.86%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 37.08%
- Q3
- 19.28%
- Median
- 14.70%
- Q1
- 6.70%
- Min
- -8.16%
In the upper quartile for the IT Services industry, IBM’s Return on Equity of 28.86% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
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)
IBM
12.09%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 17.01%
- Q3
- 11.02%
- Median
- 6.91%
- Q1
- 3.07%
- Min
- -5.13%
A Net Profit Margin of 12.09% places IBM in the upper quartile for the IT Services 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)
IBM
14.51%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 23.01%
- Q3
- 15.32%
- Median
- 9.57%
- Q1
- 4.91%
- Min
- -9.58%
IBM’s Operating Profit Margin of 14.51% is around the midpoint for the IT Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
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 | IBM | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 28.86% | 18.60% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.48% | 5.71% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.09% | 4.04% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.51% | 6.03% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 57.81% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
IBM
0.93
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 3.02
- Q3
- 1.91
- Median
- 1.36
- Q1
- 1.02
- Min
- 0.49
IBM’s Current Ratio of 0.93 falls into the lower quartile for the IT Services industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
UNH
0.95
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)
IBM
2.26
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.55
- Q3
- 1.30
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.14
- Min
- 0.00
IBM’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the IT Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.26. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
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)
IBM
45.57
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 129.00
- Q3
- 56.00
- Median
- 11.69
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- -28.15
IBM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 45.57 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the IT Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
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 | IBM | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.93 | 0.95 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.81 | 0.75 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.26 | 0.84 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 45.57 | 6.14 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
IBM
2.20%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 4.66%
- Q3
- 2.02%
- Median
- 0.66%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.20%, IBM offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the IT Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
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)
IBM
78.74%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 93.78%
- Q3
- 63.22%
- Median
- 24.64%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
IBM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 78.74% is in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
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 | IBM | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.20% | 2.67% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 78.74% | 44.61% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
IBM
35.83
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 45.03
- Q3
- 30.25
- Median
- 21.01
- Q1
- 16.50
- Min
- 0.00
A P/E Ratio of 35.83 places IBM in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
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)
IBM
4.33
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 5.24
- Q3
- 4.01
- Median
- 2.18
- Q1
- 1.08
- Min
- 0.00
IBM’s P/S Ratio of 4.33 is in the upper echelon for the IT Services 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)
IBM
9.42
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 9.42
- Q3
- 5.79
- Median
- 3.70
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 0.79
IBM’s P/B Ratio of 9.42 is in the upper tier for the IT Services industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
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 | IBM | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 35.83 | 16.74 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.33 | 0.68 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 9.42 | 3.26 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 23.67 | 16.94 |