UNH vs. WFC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at UNH and WFC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | UNH | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | UnitedHealth Group Incorporated | Wells Fargo & Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Financials |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Providers & Services | Banks |
| Market Capitalization | 275.22 billion USD | 264.28 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | October 17, 1984 | June 1, 1972 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of UNH and WFC 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 | UNH | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.17% | 6.00% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 3.01% | 11.50% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -34.85% | 6.45% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -48.24% | 45.45% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 21.77% | 2.32% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -39.93% | 17.45% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 23.53M | 12.74M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 18.85M | 16.61M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 43.95% | 23.88% |
| Beta | 0.47 | 1.27 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
WFC
11.36%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 26.37%
- Q3
- 15.92%
- Median
- 12.25%
- Q1
- 8.69%
- Min
- 0.15%
WFC’s Return on Equity of 11.36% is on par with the norm for the Banks industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
WFC
22.19%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 54.20%
- Q3
- 35.70%
- Median
- 28.97%
- Q1
- 22.53%
- Min
- 6.98%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Banks industry, WFC’s Net Profit Margin of 22.19% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
WFC
25.35%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 63.35%
- Q3
- 44.59%
- Median
- 37.24%
- Q1
- 28.25%
- Min
- 13.37%
WFC’s Operating Profit Margin of 25.35% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | UNH | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 22.26% | 11.36% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 7.01% | 1.06% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.04% | 22.19% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 7.26% | 25.35% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | -- | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
WFC
--
Banks Industry
- Max
- --
- Q3
- --
- Median
- --
- Q1
- --
- Min
- --
For the Banks industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
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.
WFC
2.01
Banks Industry
- Max
- 4.75
- Q3
- 2.62
- Median
- 1.02
- Q1
- 0.39
- Min
- 0.00
The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Banks industry.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
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.
WFC
--
Banks Industry
- Max
- --
- Q3
- --
- Median
- --
- Q1
- --
- Min
- --
The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Banks industry.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | UNH | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.81 | -- |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.60 | -- |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.79 | 2.01 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 6.14 | -- |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
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.
WFC
2.53%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 10.27%
- Q3
- 5.83%
- Median
- 3.81%
- Q1
- 2.50%
- Min
- 0.00%
WFC’s Dividend Yield of 2.53% is consistent with its peers in the Banks industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
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.
WFC
31.00%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 147.07%
- Q3
- 80.55%
- Median
- 54.40%
- Q1
- 35.71%
- Min
- 0.00%
WFC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 31.00% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | UNH | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.88% | 2.53% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 36.54% | 31.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
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.
WFC
12.27
Banks Industry
- Max
- 20.05
- Q3
- 12.65
- Median
- 10.21
- Q1
- 7.54
- Min
- 2.74
WFC’s P/E Ratio of 12.27 is within the middle range for the Banks 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)
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.
WFC
1.91
Banks Industry
- Max
- 5.06
- Q3
- 2.98
- Median
- 2.24
- Q1
- 1.59
- Min
- 0.45
The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Banks industry.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
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.
WFC
1.42
Banks Industry
- Max
- 2.18
- Q3
- 1.36
- Median
- 1.09
- Q1
- 0.81
- Min
- 0.20
WFC’s P/B Ratio of 1.42 is in the upper tier for the Banks 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | UNH | WFC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 12.70 | 12.27 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.64 | 1.91 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.82 | 1.42 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 10.70 | 16.66 |