Centene Corporation (CNC) vs UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH)

CNC and UNH are evenly matched — 6 metrics each of 12.

A side-by-side comparison of Centene 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).

Centene Corporation logo
CNC
Centene Corporation
$32.19B
$65.19Healthcare
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated logo
UNH
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
$371.00B
$408.52Healthcare
Not enough overlapping price history to compare CNC and UNH.

CNC vs UNH: by the numbers

  • •UNH is the larger company ($371.00B vs $32.19B market cap).
  • •UNH is profitable (2.68% net margin) while CNC runs a net loss (-3.25%).
  • •CNC grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.48% vs 11.33% CAGR).
  • •UNH pays a dividend (2.16% yield) while CNC does not currently pay one.

Valuation

MetricCNCUNH
P/E ratio—30.85
Forward P/E14.49●19.54
P/S ratio0.16●0.83
P/B ratio1.51●3.58
EV / EBITDA—18.34
FCF yield19.65%●5.29%

Profitability

MetricCNCUNH
Gross margin14.93%18.80%●
Operating margin-3.68%4.19%●
Net margin-3.25%2.68%●
ROE-30.07%11.59%●
ROIC-13.41%8.23%●

Dividends

MetricCNCUNH
Dividend yield—2.16%
Payout ratio—66.82%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCNCUNH
Revenue CAGR (5Y)11.48%11.33%
EPS CAGR (5Y)14.68%●-4.06%
FCF CAGR (5Y)5.28%●-3.16%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-1.64%2.28%●

Frequently asked

Which has grown faster, CNC or UNH?
Over the past five years, CNC grew revenue faster — CNC at a 11.48% CAGR versus UNH at 11.33%.
Does CNC or UNH pay a bigger dividend?
UNH pays a dividend (2.16% yield) while CNC does not currently pay one.
Is CNC or UNH more profitable?
UNH runs the higher net margin — CNC at -3.25% versus UNH at 2.68%.
Which has been the better investment, CNC or UNH?
Over the past 10-year, UNH delivered the higher annualized total return — CNC at 6.74% versus UNH at 13.20%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full CNC analysisFull UNH analysisInteractive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

Centene P/E ratioUnitedHealth P/E ratioCentene dividend yieldUnitedHealth dividend yieldCentene ROEUnitedHealth ROECentene operating marginUnitedHealth operating marginCentene revenue growthUnitedHealth revenue growthCentene free cash flowUnitedHealth free cash flow

Centene & UnitedHealth appear in these rankings

Highest Dividend Yield StocksHighest FCF Yield StocksBest 10-Year Total Return StocksLargest Companies by Market Cap

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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.