CVS Health Corporation (CVS) vs Pfizer Inc. (PFE)

PFE leads on 12 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of CVS Health Corporation and Pfizer 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 PFE

growth of $100 · last 30y
CVS +882.3%PFE +128.5%CVS compounded faster
2004006008001kStart $100200120062011201620212026$982$229
CVS PFE

CVS vs PFE: by the numbers

  • PFE is the larger company ($149.38B vs $130.09B market cap).
  • PFE trades at the lower earnings multiple (20.01 vs 44.92 P/E).
  • PFE converts more revenue to profit (11.83% vs 0.72% net margin).
  • CVS grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.52% vs 8.22% CAGR).
  • PFE pays the higher dividend yield (6.56% vs 2.61%).

Which is better, CVS or PFE?

Metric tally: CVS 3 · PFE 12

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValuePFE(lower P/E)
GrowthCVS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomePFE(higher dividend yield)
QualityPFE(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricCVSPFE
P/E ratio44.9220.01
Forward P/E12.179.25
P/S ratio0.322.37
P/B ratio1.681.67
EV / EBITDA17.9012.72
FCF yield5.67%6.31%

Profitability

MetricCVSPFE
Gross margin13.87%69.35%
Operating margin1.46%23.45%
Net margin0.72%11.83%
ROE3.79%8.31%
ROIC4.72%8.84%

Dividends

MetricCVSPFE
Dividend yield2.61%6.56%
Payout ratio190.00%126.47%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCVSPFE
Revenue CAGR (5Y)8.52%8.22%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-23.89%-3.78%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-10.57%-3.79%
Total return CAGR (5Y)7.06%-3.33%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CVS or PFE?
It depends on your goal. value: PFE (lower P/E); growth: CVS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: PFE (higher dividend yield); quality: PFE (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, PFE leads 12 to 3.
Is CVS or PFE cheaper?
On trailing earnings, PFE is cheaper: CVS trades at a 44.92 P/E and PFE at 20.01.
Which has grown faster, CVS or PFE?
Over the past five years, CVS grew revenue faster — CVS at a 8.52% CAGR versus PFE at 8.22%.
Does CVS or PFE pay a bigger dividend?
CVS yields 2.61% and PFE yields 6.56% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CVS or PFE more profitable?
PFE runs the higher net margin — CVS at 0.72% versus PFE at 11.83%.
Which has been the better investment, CVS or PFE?
Over the past 10-year, CVS delivered the higher annualized total return — CVS at 3.66% versus PFE at 2.13%. 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.