Abbott Laboratories (ABT) vs CVS Health Corporation (CVS)

ABT leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Abbott Laboratories and CVS Health Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — ABT vs CVS

growth of $100 · last 30y
ABT +814.7%CVS +886.1%CVS compounded faster
05001k2kStart $100200120062011201620212026$915$986
ABT CVS

ABT vs CVS: by the numbers

  • ABT is the larger company ($153.59B vs $130.09B market cap).
  • ABT trades at the lower earnings multiple (24.56 vs 44.92 P/E).
  • ABT converts more revenue to profit (13.91% vs 0.72% net margin).
  • CVS grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.52% vs 3.87% CAGR).
  • ABT pays the higher dividend yield (2.77% vs 2.61%).

Which is better, ABT or CVS?

Metric tally: ABT 10 · CVS 6

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueABT(lower P/E)
GrowthCVS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeABT(higher dividend yield)
QualityABT(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricABTCVS
P/E ratio24.5644.92
Forward P/E14.5612.17
P/S ratio3.410.32
P/B ratio2.961.68
PEG ratio2.99
EV / EBITDA17.3017.90
FCF yield4.79%5.67%

Profitability

MetricABTCVS
Gross margin56.38%13.87%
Operating margin18.17%1.46%
Net margin13.91%0.72%
ROE12.06%3.79%
ROIC8.43%4.72%

Dividends

MetricABTCVS
Dividend yield2.77%2.61%
Payout ratio65.24%190.00%

Growth (annualized)

MetricABTCVS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)3.87%8.52%
EPS CAGR (5Y)8.22%-23.89%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-0.61%-10.57%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-2.49%7.06%

Frequently asked

Which is better, ABT or CVS?
It depends on your goal. value: ABT (lower P/E); growth: CVS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: ABT (higher dividend yield); quality: ABT (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ABT leads 10 to 6.
Is ABT or CVS cheaper?
On trailing earnings, ABT is cheaper: ABT trades at a 24.56 P/E and CVS at 44.92.
Which has grown faster, ABT or CVS?
Over the past five years, CVS grew revenue faster — ABT at a 3.87% CAGR versus CVS at 8.52%.
Does ABT or CVS pay a bigger dividend?
ABT yields 2.77% and CVS yields 2.61% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ABT or CVS more profitable?
ABT runs the higher net margin — ABT at 13.91% versus CVS at 0.72%.
Which has been the better investment, ABT or CVS?
Over the past 10-year, ABT delivered the higher annualized total return — ABT at 10.72% versus CVS at 3.66%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 14, 2026.