META vs. UNH: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at META and UNH, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | META | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Meta Platforms, Inc. | UnitedHealth Group Incorporated |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Communication Services | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Interactive Media & Services | Health Care Providers & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 1,785.03 billion USD | 326.22 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 18, 2012 | October 17, 1984 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of META 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 | META | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -4.42% | 4.35% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -1.18% | 16.74% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 23.28% | -31.23% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 24.05% | -39.19% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -3.24% | 4.32% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 21.36% | -28.79% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 12.52M | 9.05M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 11.88M | 15.26M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 31.01% | 44.73% |
| Beta | 1.29 | 0.43 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
META
39.33%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 49.37%
- Q3
- 33.08%
- Median
- 10.37%
- Q1
- 5.76%
- Min
- -24.17%
In the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services industry, META’s Return on Equity of 39.33% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
UNH
22.26%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 24.86%
- Q3
- 15.79%
- Median
- 8.56%
- Q1
- 5.75%
- 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)
META
39.99%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 49.74%
- Q3
- 29.54%
- Median
- 20.53%
- Q1
- 7.52%
- Min
- -14.52%
A Net Profit Margin of 39.99% places META in the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
UNH
5.04%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 11.56%
- Q3
- 5.45%
- Median
- 2.83%
- Q1
- 1.13%
- Min
- -1.71%
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)
META
44.02%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 65.96%
- Q3
- 36.82%
- Median
- 18.53%
- Q1
- 7.69%
- Min
- -18.13%
An Operating Profit Margin of 44.02% places META in the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & 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
- 19.08%
- Q3
- 9.66%
- Median
- 4.77%
- Q1
- 2.46%
- 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 | META | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 39.33% | 22.26% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 25.83% | 7.01% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 39.99% | 5.04% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 44.02% | 7.26% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 81.95% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
META
1.97
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.92
- Q3
- 2.72
- Median
- 1.85
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.25
META’s Current Ratio of 1.97 aligns with the median group of the Interactive Media & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
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)
META
0.15
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 0.85
- Q3
- 0.49
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.04
- Min
- 0.00
META’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.15 is typical for the Interactive Media & 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)
META
168.41
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 23.65
- Q3
- 16.48
- Median
- 6.73
- Q1
- -0.87
- Min
- -3.62
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 168.41, META demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
UNH
6.14
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.50
- Median
- 4.52
- 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 | META | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.97 | 0.81 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.71 | 0.60 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.15 | 0.79 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 168.41 | 6.14 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
META
0.28%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.07%
- Q3
- 1.27%
- Median
- 0.28%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
META’s Dividend Yield of 0.28% is consistent with its peers in the Interactive Media & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
UNH
2.38%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.93%
- Q3
- 2.59%
- Median
- 1.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UNH’s Dividend Yield of 2.38% 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)
META
7.26%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 101.53%
- Q3
- 40.64%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
META’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 7.26% is within the typical range for the Interactive Media & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
UNH
36.54%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 185.33%
- Q3
- 74.82%
- 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 | META | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.28% | 2.38% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 7.26% | 36.54% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
META
25.54
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 50.72
- Q3
- 41.60
- Median
- 25.84
- Q1
- 18.18
- Min
- 1.76
META’s P/E Ratio of 25.54 is within the middle range for the Interactive Media & 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
15.37
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 40.02
- Q3
- 29.75
- Median
- 21.09
- Q1
- 14.18
- Min
- 7.05
UNH’s P/E Ratio of 15.37 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)
META
10.21
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 23.76
- Q3
- 11.40
- Median
- 7.69
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 0.00
META’s P/S Ratio of 10.21 aligns with the market consensus for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
UNH
0.77
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.15
- Q3
- 1.87
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.09
UNH’s P/S Ratio of 0.77 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)
META
9.51
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 16.71
- Q3
- 9.00
- Median
- 3.97
- Q1
- 2.19
- Min
- 0.33
META’s P/B Ratio of 9.51 is in the upper tier for the Interactive Media & 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
2.82
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.33
- Q3
- 4.45
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.66
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 | META | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 25.54 | 15.37 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 10.21 | 0.77 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 9.51 | 2.82 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 36.43 | 12.95 |