Centene Corp. (CNC) vs UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH)
A side-by-side comparison of Centene Corp. and UnitedHealth Group Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CNC
Centene Corp.
$66.40HealthcareDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
UNH
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
$379.09HealthcareDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CNC vs UNH
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCNC +92.5% (+6.8%/yr)UNH +241.7% (+13.1%/yr)UNH compounded faster over this window
CNC UNH
CNC vs UNH: by the numbers
- •UNH is the larger company ($344.27B vs $32.80B market cap).
- •UNH is profitable (3.14% net margin) while CNC runs a net loss (-2.63%).
- •UNH grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.59% vs 10.35% CAGR).
- •UNH pays a dividend (2.28% yield), while CNC has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CNC | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | N/A | 24.38 |
| Forward P/E | 13.83 | 19.18 |
| P/S ratio | 0.17 | 0.76 |
| P/B ratio | 1.45 | 3.50 |
| EV / EBITDA | N/A | 14.98 |
| FCF yield | 27.34% | 6.86% |
Profitability
| Metric | CNC | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 16.13% | 22.49% |
| Operating margin | -2.82% | 4.82% |
| Net margin | -2.63% | 3.14% |
| ROE | -22.60% | 14.34% |
| ROIC | -12.90% | 9.19% |
Dividends
| Metric | CNC | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | N/A | 2.28% |
| Payout ratio | N/A | 57.55% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CNC | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 10.35% | 10.59% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | N/A | -4.06% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -1.39% | -4.39% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 1.83% | 0.70% |
Frequently asked
- Which has grown faster, CNC or UNH?
- Over the past five years, UNH grew revenue faster — CNC at a 10.35% CAGR versus UNH at 10.59%.
- Does CNC or UNH pay a bigger dividend?
- UNH pays a dividend (2.28% yield), while CNC has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is CNC or UNH more profitable?
- UNH runs the higher net margin — CNC at -2.63% versus UNH at 3.14%.
- How have CNC and UNH total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CNC delivered 6.94% and UNH delivered 13.19% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
UnitedHealth P/E ratioUnitedHealth 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 StocksHighest 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 September 11, 2026.