Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) vs UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH)

LLY leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics, though UNH is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Eli Lilly and Company 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).

Total return — LLY vs UNH

growth of $100 · last 30y
LLY +3454.0%UNH +6127.4%UNH compounded faster
02k4k6k8k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$3,554$6,227
LLY UNH

LLY vs UNH: by the numbers

  • LLY is the larger company ($1.07T vs $371.00B market cap).
  • UNH trades at the lower earnings multiple (30.85 vs 40.25 P/E).
  • LLY converts more revenue to profit (34.98% vs 2.68% net margin).
  • LLY grew revenue faster over the past five years (23.17% vs 11.33% CAGR).
  • UNH pays the higher dividend yield (2.16% vs 0.57%).

Which is better, LLY or UNH?

Metric tally: LLY 9 · UNH 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueUNH(lower P/E)
GrowthLLY(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeUNH(higher dividend yield)
QualityLLY(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricLLYUNH
P/E ratio40.2530.85
Forward P/E25.4119.54
P/S ratio14.050.83
P/B ratio32.543.58
PEG ratio0.49
EV / EBITDA31.4718.34
FCF yield1.34%5.29%

Profitability

MetricLLYUNH
Gross margin83.51%18.80%
Operating margin45.87%4.19%
Net margin34.98%2.68%
ROE81.01%11.59%
ROIC30.20%8.23%

Dividends

MetricLLYUNH
Dividend yield0.57%2.16%
Payout ratio28.09%66.82%

Growth (annualized)

MetricLLYUNH
Revenue CAGR (5Y)23.17%11.33%
EPS CAGR (5Y)28.88%-4.06%
FCF CAGR (5Y)19.54%-3.16%
Total return CAGR (5Y)39.57%2.28%

Frequently asked

Which is better, LLY or UNH?
It depends on your goal. value: UNH (lower P/E); growth: LLY (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: UNH (higher dividend yield); quality: LLY (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, LLY leads 9 to 7.
Is LLY or UNH cheaper?
On trailing earnings, UNH is cheaper: LLY trades at a 40.25 P/E and UNH at 30.85.
Which has grown faster, LLY or UNH?
Over the past five years, LLY grew revenue faster — LLY at a 23.17% CAGR versus UNH at 11.33%.
Does LLY or UNH pay a bigger dividend?
LLY yields 0.57% and UNH yields 2.16% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is LLY or UNH more profitable?
LLY runs the higher net margin — LLY at 34.98% versus UNH at 2.68%.
Which has been the better investment, LLY or UNH?
Over the past 10-year, LLY delivered the higher annualized total return — LLY at 33.50% versus UNH at 13.20%. 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.