Elevance Health Inc. (ELV) vs UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH)
ELV leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Elevance Health Inc. 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).
ELV
Elevance Health Inc.
$404.07Healthcare
UNH
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
$408.52Healthcare
Total return — ELV vs UNH
growth of $100 · last 25yELV +1875.9%UNH +2344.8%UNH compounded faster
ELV UNH
ELV vs UNH: by the numbers
- •UNH is the larger company ($371.00B vs $87.75B market cap).
- •ELV trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.19 vs 30.85 P/E).
- •UNH grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.33% vs 9.97% CAGR).
- •UNH pays the higher dividend yield (2.16% vs 1.70%).
Which is better, ELV or UNH?
Metric tally: ELV 10 · UNH 6It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueELV(lower P/E)
GrowthUNH(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeUNH(higher dividend yield)
QualityUNH(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | ELV | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 17.19● | 30.85 |
| Forward P/E | 13.82● | 19.54 |
| P/S ratio | 0.44● | 0.83 |
| P/B ratio | 2.03● | 3.58 |
| PEG ratio | 2.58 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 12.48● | 18.34 |
| FCF yield | 7.24%● | 5.29% |
Profitability
| Metric | ELV | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 23.16%● | 18.80% |
| Operating margin | 3.81% | 4.19%● |
| Net margin | 2.62% | 2.68%● |
| ROE | 11.94%● | 11.59% |
| ROIC | 6.65% | 8.23%● |
Dividends
| Metric | ELV | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.70% | 2.16%● |
| Payout ratio | 27.24% | 66.82% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ELV | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.97% | 11.33%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 6.67%● | -4.06% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -7.76% | -3.16%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 2.50%● | 2.28% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, ELV or UNH?
- It depends on your goal. value: ELV (lower P/E); growth: UNH (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: UNH (higher dividend yield); quality: UNH (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ELV leads 10 to 6.
- Is ELV or UNH cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, ELV is cheaper: ELV trades at a 17.19 P/E and UNH at 30.85.
- Which has grown faster, ELV or UNH?
- Over the past five years, UNH grew revenue faster — ELV at a 9.97% CAGR versus UNH at 11.33%.
- Does ELV or UNH pay a bigger dividend?
- ELV yields 1.70% and UNH yields 2.16% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Which has been the better investment, ELV or UNH?
- Over the past 10-year, ELV delivered the higher annualized total return — ELV at 13.43% versus UNH at 13.20%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Elevance Health P/E ratioUnitedHealth P/E ratioElevance Health dividend yieldUnitedHealth dividend yieldElevance Health ROEUnitedHealth ROEElevance Health operating marginUnitedHealth operating marginElevance Health revenue growthUnitedHealth revenue growthElevance Health free cash flowUnitedHealth free cash flow
Elevance 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.