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).
CVS
CVS Health Corporation
$101.96Healthcare
ISRG
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
$411.06Healthcare
Total return — CVS vs ISRG
growth of $100 · last 26yCVS +431.3%ISRG +20149.3%ISRG compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
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 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueCVS(lower P/E)
GrowthISRG(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityISRG(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CVS | ISRG |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 44.92● | 49.83 |
| Forward P/E | 12.17● | 34.90 |
| P/S ratio | 0.32● | 13.98 |
| P/B ratio | 1.68● | 8.46 |
| PEG ratio | — | 3.17 |
| EV / EBITDA | 17.90● | 35.41 |
| FCF yield | 5.67%● | 1.92% |
Profitability
| Metric | CVS | ISRG |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 13.87% | 66.29%● |
| Operating margin | 1.46% | 30.45%● |
| Net margin | 0.72% | 28.15%● |
| ROE | 3.79% | 17.05%● |
| ROIC | 4.72% | 13.71%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CVS | ISRG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.61% | — |
| Payout ratio | 190.00% | — |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CVS | ISRG |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
CVS Health P/E ratioIntuitive Surgical P/E ratioCVS Health dividend yieldIntuitive Surgical dividend yieldCVS Health ROEIntuitive Surgical ROECVS Health operating marginIntuitive Surgical operating marginCVS Health revenue growthIntuitive Surgical revenue growthCVS Health free cash flowIntuitive Surgical free cash flow
CVS Health & Intuitive Surgical 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.