CVS Health Corporation (CVS) vs UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH)
UNH leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of CVS Health Corporation and UnitedHealth Group Incorporated 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
UNH
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
$408.52Healthcare
Total return — CVS vs UNH
growth of $100 · last 30yCVS +882.3%UNH +6127.4%UNH compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
CVS UNH
CVS vs UNH: by the numbers
- •UNH is the larger company ($371.00B vs $130.09B market cap).
- •UNH trades at the lower earnings multiple (30.85 vs 44.92 P/E).
- •UNH converts more revenue to profit (2.68% vs 0.72% net margin).
- •UNH grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.33% vs 8.52% CAGR).
- •CVS pays the higher dividend yield (2.61% vs 2.16%).
Which is better, CVS or UNH?
Metric tally: CVS 7 · UNH 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueUNH(lower P/E)
GrowthUNH(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCVS(higher dividend yield)
QualityUNH(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CVS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 44.92 | 30.85● |
| Forward P/E | 12.17● | 19.54 |
| P/S ratio | 0.32● | 0.83 |
| P/B ratio | 1.68● | 3.58 |
| EV / EBITDA | 17.90● | 18.34 |
| FCF yield | 5.67%● | 5.29% |
Profitability
| Metric | CVS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 13.87% | 18.80%● |
| Operating margin | 1.46% | 4.19%● |
| Net margin | 0.72% | 2.68%● |
| ROE | 3.79% | 11.59%● |
| ROIC | 4.72% | 8.23%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CVS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.61%● | 2.16% |
| Payout ratio | 190.00% | 66.82% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CVS | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.52% | 11.33%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -23.89% | -4.06%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -10.57% | -3.16%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 7.06%● | 2.28% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CVS or UNH?
- It depends on your goal. value: UNH (lower P/E); growth: UNH (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CVS (higher dividend yield); quality: UNH (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, UNH leads 9 to 7.
- Is CVS or UNH cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, UNH is cheaper: CVS trades at a 44.92 P/E and UNH at 30.85.
- 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 11.33%.
- Does CVS or UNH pay a bigger dividend?
- CVS yields 2.61% and UNH yields 2.16% 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 2.68%.
- Which has been the better investment, CVS or UNH?
- Over the past 10-year, UNH delivered the higher annualized total return — CVS at 3.66% versus UNH at 13.20%. 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 StocksBest 10-Year Total Return StocksLargest Companies by Market Cap
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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.