CVS Health Corporation (CVS) vs Elevance Health Inc. (ELV)
ELV leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of CVS Health Corporation and Elevance Health Inc. 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).
Total return — CVS vs ELV
growth of $100 · last 25yCVS +737.1%ELV +1875.9%ELV compounded faster
CVS ELV
CVS vs ELV: by the numbers
- •CVS is the larger company ($130.09B vs $87.75B market cap).
- •ELV trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.19 vs 44.92 P/E).
- •ELV converts more revenue to profit (2.62% vs 0.72% net margin).
- •ELV grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.97% vs 8.52% CAGR).
- •CVS pays the higher dividend yield (2.61% vs 1.70%).
Which is better, CVS or ELV?
Metric tally: CVS 5 · ELV 11It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueELV(lower P/E)
GrowthELV(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCVS(higher dividend yield)
QualityELV(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CVS | ELV |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 44.92 | 17.19● |
| Forward P/E | 12.17● | 13.82 |
| P/S ratio | 0.32● | 0.44 |
| P/B ratio | 1.68● | 2.03 |
| PEG ratio | — | 2.58 |
| EV / EBITDA | 17.90 | 12.48● |
| FCF yield | 5.67% | 7.24%● |
Profitability
| Metric | CVS | ELV |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 13.87% | 23.16%● |
| Operating margin | 1.46% | 3.81%● |
| Net margin | 0.72% | 2.62%● |
| ROE | 3.79% | 11.94%● |
| ROIC | 4.72% | 6.65%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CVS | ELV |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.61%● | 1.70% |
| Payout ratio | 190.00% | 27.24% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CVS | ELV |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.52% | 9.97%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -23.89% | 6.67%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -10.57% | -7.76%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 7.06%● | 2.50% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CVS or ELV?
- It depends on your goal. value: ELV (lower P/E); growth: ELV (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CVS (higher dividend yield); quality: ELV (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ELV leads 11 to 5.
- Is CVS or ELV cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, ELV is cheaper: CVS trades at a 44.92 P/E and ELV at 17.19.
- Which has grown faster, CVS or ELV?
- Over the past five years, ELV grew revenue faster — CVS at a 8.52% CAGR versus ELV at 9.97%.
- Does CVS or ELV pay a bigger dividend?
- CVS yields 2.61% and ELV yields 1.70% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CVS or ELV more profitable?
- ELV runs the higher net margin — CVS at 0.72% versus ELV at 2.62%.
- Which has been the better investment, CVS or ELV?
- Over the past 10-year, ELV delivered the higher annualized total return — CVS at 3.66% versus ELV at 13.43%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
CVS Health P/E ratioElevance Health P/E ratioCVS Health dividend yieldElevance Health dividend yieldCVS Health ROEElevance Health ROECVS Health operating marginElevance Health operating marginCVS Health revenue growthElevance Health revenue growthCVS Health free cash flowElevance Health free cash flow
CVS Health & Elevance 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 13, 2026.