Meta Platforms, Inc. (META) vs UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH)

A side-by-side comparison of Meta Platforms, Inc. 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.

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Different business models: META is classified in Communication Services; UNH is classified in Healthcare. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.

Total returnMETA vs UNH

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 14y
META +1470.4%UNH +856.0%META compounded faster
05001k2k2kStart $1002015201820212024$1,570$956
META UNH

META vs UNH: by the numbers

  • META is the larger company ($1.51T vs $389.40B market cap).
  • META trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (21.60 vs 26.86 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • META converts more revenue to profit (32.84% vs 3.14% net margin).
  • META grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.89% vs 10.59% CAGR).
  • UNH pays the higher dividend yield (2.14% vs 0.35%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricMETAUNH
P/E ratio21.6026.86
Forward P/E18.0321.18
P/S ratio7.080.84
P/B ratio6.253.62
PEG ratio1.16N/A
EV / EBITDA14.5116.19
FCF yield3.17%6.24%

Profitability

MetricMETAUNH
Gross margin81.94%22.49%
Operating margin41.21%4.82%
Net margin32.84%3.14%
ROE28.97%13.51%
ROIC17.95%8.23%

Dividends

MetricMETAUNH
Dividend yield0.35%2.14%
Payout ratio8.76%67.65%

Growth (annualized)

MetricMETAUNH
Revenue CAGR (5Y)17.89%10.59%
EPS CAGR (5Y)18.60%-4.06%
FCF CAGR (5Y)14.84%-4.39%
Total return CAGR (5Y)10.03%1.90%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, META or UNH?
META has the lower trailing P/E: META trades at 21.60 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, META or UNH?
Over the past five years, META grew revenue faster — META at a 17.89% CAGR versus UNH at 10.59%.
Does META or UNH pay a bigger dividend?
META yields 0.35% and UNH yields 2.14% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is META or UNH more profitable?
META runs the higher net margin — META at 32.84% versus UNH at 3.14%.
How have META and UNH total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, META delivered 17.02% and UNH delivered 13.27% annualized total return. 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 July 28, 2026.