CVS Health Corp. (CVS) vs UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH)
A side-by-side comparison of CVS Health Corp. and UnitedHealth Group Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CVS
CVS Health Corp.
$109.34HealthcareDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
UNH
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
$428.79HealthcareDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CVS vs UNH
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCVS +1692.7%UNH +12902.6%UNH compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
CVS UNH
CVS vs UNH: by the numbers
- •UNH is the larger company ($389.40B vs $139.51B market cap).
- •UNH trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (26.86 vs 47.17 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •UNH converts more revenue to profit (3.14% vs 0.72% net margin).
- •UNH grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.59% vs 8.52% CAGR).
- •CVS pays the higher dividend yield (2.48% vs 2.14%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CVS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 47.17 | 26.86 |
| Forward P/E | 14.37 | 21.18 |
| P/S ratio | 0.34 | 0.84 |
| P/B ratio | 1.77 | 3.62 |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.53 | 16.19 |
| FCF yield | 5.40% | 6.24% |
Profitability
| Metric | CVS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 13.87% | 22.49% |
| Operating margin | 1.46% | 4.82% |
| Net margin | 0.72% | 3.14% |
| ROE | 3.79% | 13.51% |
| ROIC | 4.72% | 8.23% |
Dividends
| Metric | CVS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.48% | 2.14% |
| Payout ratio | 190.00% | 67.65% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CVS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.52% | 10.59% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -23.89% | -4.06% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -10.57% | -4.39% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 8.59% | 1.90% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CVS or UNH?
- UNH has the lower trailing P/E: CVS trades at 47.17 and UNH at 26.86. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CVS or UNH?
- Over the past five years, UNH grew revenue faster — CVS at a 8.52% CAGR versus UNH at 10.59%.
- Does CVS or UNH pay a bigger dividend?
- CVS yields 2.48% and UNH yields 2.14% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CVS or UNH more profitable?
- UNH runs the higher net margin — CVS at 0.72% versus UNH at 3.14%.
- How have CVS and UNH total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CVS delivered 4.62% and UNH delivered 13.27% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
CVS Health P/E ratioUnitedHealth P/E ratioCVS Health dividend yieldUnitedHealth dividend yieldCVS Health ROEUnitedHealth ROECVS Health operating marginUnitedHealth operating marginCVS Health revenue growthUnitedHealth revenue growthCVS Health free cash flowUnitedHealth free cash flow
CVS Health & UnitedHealth appear in these rankings
Highest Dividend Yield StocksHighest FCF Yield StocksHighest 10-Year Total Return StocksLargest Companies by Market Cap
Related comparisons
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 July 28, 2026.