Centene Corporation (CNC) vs CVS Health Corporation (CVS)
CNC leads on 7 of 13 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Centene Corporation 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).
Not enough overlapping price history to compare CNC and CVS.
CNC vs CVS: by the numbers
- •CVS is the larger company ($130.09B vs $32.19B market cap).
- •CVS is profitable (0.72% net margin) while CNC runs a net loss (-3.25%).
- •CNC grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.48% vs 8.52% CAGR).
- •CVS pays a dividend (2.61% yield) while CNC does not currently pay one.
Which is better, CNC or CVS?
Metric tally: CNC 7 · CVS 6It depends on what you're optimizing for:
GrowthCNC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityCVS(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CNC | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | — | 44.92 |
| Forward P/E | 14.49 | 12.17● |
| P/S ratio | 0.16● | 0.32 |
| P/B ratio | 1.51● | 1.68 |
| EV / EBITDA | — | 17.90 |
| FCF yield | 19.65%● | 5.67% |
Profitability
| Metric | CNC | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 14.93%● | 13.87% |
| Operating margin | -3.68% | 1.46%● |
| Net margin | -3.25% | 0.72%● |
| ROE | -30.07% | 3.79%● |
| ROIC | -13.41% | 4.72%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CNC | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | — | 2.61% |
| Payout ratio | — | 190.00% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CNC | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 11.48%● | 8.52% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 14.68%● | -23.89% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 5.28%● | -10.57% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -1.64% | 7.06%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CNC or CVS?
- It depends on your goal. growth: CNC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: CVS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CNC leads 7 to 6.
- Which has grown faster, CNC or CVS?
- Over the past five years, CNC grew revenue faster — CNC at a 11.48% CAGR versus CVS at 8.52%.
- Does CNC or CVS pay a bigger dividend?
- CVS pays a dividend (2.61% yield) while CNC does not currently pay one.
- Is CNC or CVS more profitable?
- CVS runs the higher net margin — CNC at -3.25% versus CVS at 0.72%.
- Which has been the better investment, CNC or CVS?
- Over the past 10-year, CNC delivered the higher annualized total return — CNC at 6.74% versus CVS at 3.66%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Centene P/E ratioCVS Health P/E ratioCentene dividend yieldCVS Health dividend yieldCentene ROECVS Health ROECentene operating marginCVS Health operating marginCentene revenue growthCVS Health revenue growthCentene free cash flowCVS Health free cash flow
Centene & CVS Health appear in these rankings
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.