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).
Total return — COR vs HCA
growth of $100 · last 15yCOR +649.7%HCA +1157.2%HCA compounded faster
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 10It 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
| Metric | COR | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 21.58 | 13.65● |
| Forward P/E | 14.21 | 11.96● |
| P/S ratio | 0.17● | 1.18 |
| P/B ratio | 16.18 | — |
| PEG ratio | 7.05 | 0.56● |
| EV / EBITDA | 13.04 | 8.86● |
| FCF yield | 2.83% | 8.81%● |
Profitability
| Metric | COR | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 3.47% | 34.92%● |
| Operating margin | 1.28% | 15.67%● |
| Net margin | 0.78% | 8.89%● |
| ROE | 75.01%● | -112.56% |
| ROIC | 13.23% | 18.53%● |
Dividends
| Metric | COR | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.84%● | 0.76% |
| Payout ratio | 29.30% | 10.48% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COR | HCA |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cencora P/E ratioHCA Healthcare P/E ratioCencora dividend yieldHCA Healthcare dividend yieldCencora ROEHCA Healthcare ROECencora operating marginHCA Healthcare operating marginCencora revenue growthHCA Healthcare revenue growthCencora free cash flowHCA Healthcare free cash flow
Cencora & HCA Healthcare 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 16, 2026.