CVS Health Corporation (CVS) vs Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG)

ISRG leads on 9 of 15 compared metrics, though CVS is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of CVS Health Corporation and Intuitive Surgical, 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 ISRG

growth of $100 · last 26y
CVS +431.3%ISRG +20149.3%ISRG compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $10020052010201520202025$531$20,249
CVS ISRG

CVS vs ISRG: by the numbers

  • ISRG is the larger company ($145.58B vs $130.09B market cap).
  • CVS trades at the lower earnings multiple (44.92 vs 49.83 P/E).
  • ISRG converts more revenue to profit (28.15% vs 0.72% net margin).
  • ISRG grew revenue faster over the past five years (18.39% vs 8.52% CAGR).
  • CVS pays a dividend (2.61% yield) while ISRG does not currently pay one.

Which is better, CVS or ISRG?

Metric tally: CVS 6 · ISRG 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCVS(lower P/E)
GrowthISRG(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityISRG(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricCVSISRG
P/E ratio44.9249.83
Forward P/E12.1734.90
P/S ratio0.3213.98
P/B ratio1.688.46
PEG ratio3.17
EV / EBITDA17.9035.41
FCF yield5.67%1.92%

Profitability

MetricCVSISRG
Gross margin13.87%66.29%
Operating margin1.46%30.45%
Net margin0.72%28.15%
ROE3.79%17.05%
ROIC4.72%13.71%

Dividends

MetricCVSISRG
Dividend yield2.61%
Payout ratio190.00%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCVSISRG
Revenue CAGR (5Y)8.52%18.39%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-23.89%21.51%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-10.57%16.61%
Total return CAGR (5Y)7.06%7.37%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CVS or ISRG?
It depends on your goal. value: CVS (lower P/E); growth: ISRG (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: ISRG (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ISRG leads 9 to 6.
Is CVS or ISRG cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CVS is cheaper: CVS trades at a 44.92 P/E and ISRG at 49.83.
Which has grown faster, CVS or ISRG?
Over the past five years, ISRG grew revenue faster — CVS at a 8.52% CAGR versus ISRG at 18.39%.
Does CVS or ISRG pay a bigger dividend?
CVS pays a dividend (2.61% yield) while ISRG does not currently pay one.
Is CVS or ISRG more profitable?
ISRG runs the higher net margin — CVS at 0.72% versus ISRG at 28.15%.
Which has been the better investment, CVS or ISRG?
Over the past 10-year, ISRG delivered the higher annualized total return — CVS at 3.66% versus ISRG at 19.14%. 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 13, 2026.