MA vs. UNH: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at MA and UNH, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | MA | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Mastercard Incorporated | UnitedHealth Group Incorporated |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Financials | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Financial Services | Health Care Providers & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 541.47 billion USD | 278.42 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 25, 2006 | October 17, 1984 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of MA 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 | MA | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.54% | -0.35% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 5.17% | 1.47% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 5.34% | -38.61% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 27.98% | -46.82% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 5.74% | 23.18% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 13.75% | -39.23% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.37M | 24.36M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.68M | 18.87M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 21.62% | 45.45% |
| Beta | 0.99 | 0.46 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
MA
191.02%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 40.58%
- Q3
- 20.06%
- Median
- 10.67%
- Q1
- 4.19%
- Min
- -10.31%
MA’s Return on Equity of 191.02% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Financial Services industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
UNH
22.26%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 26.03%
- Q3
- 13.74%
- Median
- 8.26%
- Q1
- 4.13%
- Min
- -3.62%
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)
MA
44.93%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 52.86%
- Q3
- 25.58%
- Median
- 12.23%
- Q1
- 6.64%
- Min
- -9.92%
A Net Profit Margin of 44.93% places MA in the upper quartile for the Financial Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
UNH
5.04%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 12.40%
- Q3
- 5.93%
- Median
- 1.96%
- Q1
- 0.93%
- Min
- -6.10%
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)
MA
55.78%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 77.28%
- Q3
- 37.68%
- Median
- 18.17%
- Q1
- 9.27%
- Min
- -8.19%
An Operating Profit Margin of 55.78% places MA in the upper quartile for the Financial Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
UNH
7.26%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.05%
- Q3
- 10.21%
- Median
- 4.22%
- Q1
- 1.98%
- Min
- -4.27%
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 | MA | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 191.02% | 22.26% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 27.84% | 7.01% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 44.93% | 5.04% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 55.78% | 7.26% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | -- | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
MA
1.16
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 4.58
- Q3
- 2.59
- Median
- 1.33
- Q1
- 0.69
- Min
- 0.01
For the Financial Services industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.
UNH
0.81
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.01
- Q3
- 1.49
- Median
- 1.30
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.17
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)
MA
2.42
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 4.96
- Q3
- 2.10
- Median
- 0.57
- Q1
- 0.12
- Min
- 0.00
The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Financial Services industry.
UNH
0.79
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.17
- Q3
- 1.18
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.45
- 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)
MA
37.93
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 136.23
- Q3
- 56.08
- Median
- 6.55
- Q1
- 2.01
- Min
- -33.27
The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Financial Services industry.
UNH
6.14
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.15
- Median
- 5.45
- 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 | MA | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.16 | 0.81 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.16 | 0.60 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.42 | 0.79 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 37.93 | 6.14 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
MA
0.49%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 8.18%
- Q3
- 3.60%
- Median
- 1.56%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MA’s Dividend Yield of 0.49% is consistent with its peers in the Financial Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
UNH
2.88%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.38%
- Q3
- 2.22%
- Median
- 0.55%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.88%, 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)
MA
19.15%
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 155.56%
- Q3
- 63.71%
- Median
- 18.08%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MA’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 19.15% is within the typical range for the Financial Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
UNH
36.54%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 186.69%
- Q3
- 74.82%
- Median
- 26.76%
- 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 | MA | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.49% | 2.88% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 19.15% | 36.54% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
MA
39.22
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 63.23
- Q3
- 32.10
- Median
- 14.41
- Q1
- 10.81
- Min
- 0.37
A P/E Ratio of 39.22 places MA in the upper quartile for the Financial Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
UNH
12.70
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 55.89
- Q3
- 30.85
- Median
- 21.17
- Q1
- 12.63
- Min
- 0.00
UNH’s P/E Ratio of 12.70 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)
MA
17.62
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 11.16
- Q3
- 5.45
- Median
- 2.61
- Q1
- 1.25
- Min
- 0.04
The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Financial Services industry.
UNH
0.64
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.10
- Q3
- 1.74
- Median
- 0.67
- Q1
- 0.24
- Min
- 0.00
UNH’s P/S Ratio of 0.64 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)
MA
64.98
Financial Services Industry
- Max
- 7.09
- Q3
- 3.79
- Median
- 1.46
- Q1
- 0.83
- Min
- 0.04
At 64.98, MA’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Financial Services industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
UNH
2.82
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.61
- Q3
- 4.32
- Median
- 2.53
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.77
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 | MA | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 39.22 | 12.70 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 17.62 | 0.64 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 64.98 | 2.82 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 33.58 | 10.70 |