Cigna Corporation (CI) vs HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA)

CI leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Cigna Corporation and HCA Healthcare, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 16, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — CI vs HCA

growth of $100 · last 15y
CI +577.9%HCA +1179.6%HCA compounded faster
05001k2kStart $10020142017202020232026$678$1,280
CI HCA

CI vs HCA: by the numbers

  • HCA is the larger company ($88.05B vs $77.02B market cap).
  • CI trades at the lower earnings multiple (12.46 vs 13.65 P/E).
  • HCA converts more revenue to profit (8.89% vs 2.26% net margin).
  • CI grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.28% vs 7.73% CAGR).
  • CI pays the higher dividend yield (2.09% vs 0.76%).

Which is better, CI or HCA?

Metric tally: CI 9 · HCA 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCI(lower P/E)
GrowthCI(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCI(higher dividend yield)
QualityHCA(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCIHCA
P/E ratio12.4613.65
Forward P/E8.7911.96
P/S ratio0.281.18
P/B ratio1.84
PEG ratio0.150.56
EV / EBITDA8.328.86
FCF yield9.86%8.81%

Profitability

MetricCIHCA
Gross margin9.30%34.92%
Operating margin3.42%15.67%
Net margin2.26%8.89%
ROE14.90%-112.56%
ROIC7.35%18.53%

Dividends

MetricCIHCA
Dividend yield2.09%0.76%
Payout ratio27.53%10.48%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCIHCA
Revenue CAGR (5Y)11.28%7.73%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-0.76%20.90%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-2.03%1.92%
Total return CAGR (5Y)6.13%14.89%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CI or HCA?
It depends on your goal. value: CI (lower P/E); growth: CI (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CI (higher dividend yield); quality: HCA (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CI leads 9 to 7.
Is CI or HCA cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CI is cheaper: CI trades at a 12.46 P/E and HCA at 13.65.
Which has grown faster, CI or HCA?
Over the past five years, CI grew revenue faster — CI at a 11.28% CAGR versus HCA at 7.73%.
Does CI or HCA pay a bigger dividend?
CI yields 2.09% and HCA yields 0.76% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CI or HCA more profitable?
HCA runs the higher net margin — CI at 2.26% versus HCA at 8.89%.
Which has been the better investment, CI or HCA?
Over the past 10-year, HCA delivered the higher annualized total return — CI at 9.61% versus HCA at 18.63%. 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 16, 2026.