Cencora, Inc. (COR) vs HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA)

HCA leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Cencora, Inc. 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 — COR vs HCA

growth of $100 · last 15y
COR +649.7%HCA +1157.2%HCA compounded faster
05001k2kStart $10020142017202020232026$750$1,257
COR HCA

COR vs HCA: by the numbers

  • HCA is the larger company ($88.05B vs $54.76B market cap).
  • HCA trades at the lower earnings multiple (13.65 vs 21.58 P/E).
  • HCA converts more revenue to profit (8.89% vs 0.78% net margin).
  • COR grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.86% vs 7.73% CAGR).
  • COR pays the higher dividend yield (0.84% vs 0.76%).

Which is better, COR or HCA?

Metric tally: COR 6 · HCA 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueHCA(lower P/E)
GrowthCOR(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCOR(higher dividend yield)
QualityHCA(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCORHCA
P/E ratio21.5813.65
Forward P/E14.2111.96
P/S ratio0.171.18
P/B ratio16.18
PEG ratio7.050.56
EV / EBITDA13.048.86
FCF yield2.83%8.81%

Profitability

MetricCORHCA
Gross margin3.47%34.92%
Operating margin1.28%15.67%
Net margin0.78%8.89%
ROE75.01%-112.56%
ROIC13.23%18.53%

Dividends

MetricCORHCA
Dividend yield0.84%0.76%
Payout ratio29.30%10.48%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCORHCA
Revenue CAGR (5Y)10.86%7.73%
EPS CAGR (5Y)11.97%20.90%
FCF CAGR (5Y)3.95%1.92%
Total return CAGR (5Y)20.01%14.89%

Frequently asked

Which is better, COR or HCA?
It depends on your goal. value: HCA (lower P/E); growth: COR (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: COR (higher dividend yield); quality: HCA (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, HCA leads 10 to 6.
Is COR or HCA cheaper?
On trailing earnings, HCA is cheaper: COR trades at a 21.58 P/E and HCA at 13.65.
Which has grown faster, COR or HCA?
Over the past five years, COR grew revenue faster — COR at a 10.86% CAGR versus HCA at 7.73%.
Does COR or HCA pay a bigger dividend?
COR yields 0.84% and HCA yields 0.76% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is COR or HCA more profitable?
HCA runs the higher net margin — COR at 0.78% versus HCA at 8.89%.
Which has been the better investment, COR or HCA?
Over the past 10-year, HCA delivered the higher annualized total return — COR at 17.27% 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.