Cigna Corporation (CI) vs UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH)
CI leads on 10 of 15 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Cigna Corporation and UnitedHealth Group Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
CI
Cigna Corporation
$298.00Healthcare
UNH
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
$408.52Healthcare
Total return — CI vs UNH
growth of $100 · last 30yCI +2330.7%UNH +6127.4%UNH compounded faster
CI UNH
CI vs UNH: by the numbers
- •UNH is the larger company ($371.00B vs $78.83B market cap).
- •CI trades at the lower earnings multiple (12.64 vs 30.85 P/E).
- •UNH converts more revenue to profit (2.68% vs 2.26% net margin).
- •UNH pays the higher dividend yield (2.16% vs 2.06%).
Which is better, CI or UNH?
Metric tally: CI 10 · UNH 5It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueCI(lower P/E)
IncomeUNH(higher dividend yield)
QualityUNH(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CI | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 12.64● | 30.85 |
| Forward P/E | 8.91● | 19.54 |
| P/S ratio | 0.28● | 0.83 |
| P/B ratio | 1.87● | 3.58 |
| PEG ratio | 0.15 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 8.41● | 18.34 |
| FCF yield | 9.73%● | 5.29% |
Profitability
| Metric | CI | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 9.30% | 18.80%● |
| Operating margin | 3.42% | 4.19%● |
| Net margin | 2.26% | 2.68%● |
| ROE | 14.90%● | 11.59% |
| ROIC | 7.35% | 8.23%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CI | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.06% | 2.16%● |
| Payout ratio | 27.53% | 66.82% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CI | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 11.28% | 11.33% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -0.76%● | -4.06% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -2.03%● | -3.16% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 6.19%● | 2.28% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CI or UNH?
- It depends on your goal. value: CI (lower P/E); income: UNH (higher dividend yield); quality: UNH (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CI leads 10 to 5.
- Is CI or UNH cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, CI is cheaper: CI trades at a 12.64 P/E and UNH at 30.85.
- Which has grown faster, CI or UNH?
- Over the past five years, UNH grew revenue faster — CI at a 11.28% CAGR versus UNH at 11.33%.
- Does CI or UNH pay a bigger dividend?
- CI yields 2.06% and UNH yields 2.16% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CI or UNH more profitable?
- UNH runs the higher net margin — CI at 2.26% versus UNH at 2.68%.
- Which has been the better investment, CI or UNH?
- Over the past 10-year, UNH delivered the higher annualized total return — CI at 9.91% versus UNH at 13.20%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cigna P/E ratioUnitedHealth P/E ratioCigna dividend yieldUnitedHealth dividend yieldCigna ROEUnitedHealth ROECigna operating marginUnitedHealth operating marginCigna revenue growthUnitedHealth revenue growthCigna free cash flowUnitedHealth free cash flow
Cigna & UnitedHealth appear in these rankings
Highest Dividend Yield StocksHighest FCF Yield StocksBest 10-Year Total Return StocksLowest P/E Ratio Stocks
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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 13, 2026.