MS vs. UNH: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at MS and UNH, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | MS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Morgan Stanley | UnitedHealth Group Incorporated |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Financials | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Capital Markets | Health Care Providers & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 248.47 billion USD | 335.03 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 23, 1993 | October 17, 1984 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of MS 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 | MS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.23% | 4.58% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 9.96% | 22.12% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 44.21% | -31.55% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 44.60% | -36.61% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -2.08% | 7.13% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 23.81% | -26.87% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 4.95M | 8.39M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 5.26M | 14.98M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 17.64% | 44.69% |
| Beta | 1.23 | 0.43 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
MS
13.95%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 38.97%
- Q3
- 22.24%
- Median
- 13.52%
- Q1
- 8.61%
- Min
- -4.25%
MS’s Return on Equity of 13.95% is on par with the norm for the Capital Markets 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
- 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)
MS
13.06%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 69.91%
- Q3
- 37.24%
- Median
- 24.30%
- Q1
- 13.06%
- Min
- -15.18%
MS’s Net Profit Margin of 13.06% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Capital Markets 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
- 5.45%
- 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)
MS
17.07%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 84.86%
- Q3
- 47.16%
- Median
- 32.23%
- Q1
- 18.65%
- Min
- -21.87%
MS’s Operating Profit Margin of 17.07% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets 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
- 19.08%
- 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 | MS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 13.95% | 22.26% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 1.15% | 7.01% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.06% | 5.04% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.07% | 7.26% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 54.42% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
MS
0.29
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 3.37
- Q3
- 1.81
- Median
- 1.01
- Q1
- 0.56
- Min
- 0.04
For the Capital Markets industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.
UNH
0.81
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.00
- 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)
MS
7.68
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 6.52
- Q3
- 2.79
- Median
- 0.96
- Q1
- 0.28
- Min
- 0.00
The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Capital Markets industry.
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)
MS
1.25
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 107.59
- Q3
- 48.41
- Median
- 10.85
- Q1
- 4.56
- Min
- -36.26
The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Capital Markets industry.
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 | MS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.29 | 0.81 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.29 | 0.60 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 7.68 | 0.79 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 1.25 | 6.14 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
MS
2.55%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 9.02%
- Q3
- 4.54%
- Median
- 2.55%
- Q1
- 1.27%
- Min
- 0.00%
MS’s Dividend Yield of 2.55% is consistent with its peers in the Capital Markets industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
UNH
2.30%
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 2.30% 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)
MS
43.20%
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 199.38%
- Q3
- 99.28%
- Median
- 60.67%
- Q1
- 32.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 43.20% is within the typical range for the Capital Markets 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 | MS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.55% | 2.30% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 43.20% | 36.54% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
MS
16.93
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 51.69
- Q3
- 29.42
- Median
- 17.58
- Q1
- 12.55
- Min
- 5.59
MS’s P/E Ratio of 16.93 is within the middle range for the Capital Markets 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
15.86
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 15.86 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)
MS
2.21
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 14.65
- Q3
- 7.29
- Median
- 4.53
- Q1
- 2.26
- Min
- 0.04
In the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, MS’s P/S Ratio of 2.21 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
0.80
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 0.80 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)
MS
2.08
Capital Markets Industry
- Max
- 10.83
- Q3
- 5.12
- Median
- 2.66
- Q1
- 1.19
- Min
- 0.37
MS’s P/B Ratio of 2.08 is within the conventional range for the Capital Markets 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
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 | MS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 16.93 | 15.86 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.21 | 0.80 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.08 | 2.82 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 11.36 | 13.36 |