CRVL vs UNH

For growth investors, CorVel Corporation (CRVL) is the stronger pick with 12.

6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 11. 8% for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH). UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) offers the better valuation at 27. 9x trailing P/E (20. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) a "Buy" — based on 52 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) is the cheapest at 27.

9x versus CorVel Corporation at 31. 7x. On forward P/E, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated is actually cheaper at 20. 2x.

Over the past 5 years, CorVel Corporation (CRVL) delivered a total return of +45.

7%, compared to -2. 6% for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CRVL returned +267. 5% versus UNH's +220. 6%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), CorVel Corporation (CRVL) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

48β versus UnitedHealth Group Incorporated's 0. 59β — meaning UNH is approximately 23% more volatile than CRVL relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, CorVel Corporation (CRVL) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 9% versus 77% for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), CorVel Corporation (CRVL) is pulling ahead at 12.

6% versus 11. 8% for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: CorVel Corporation grew EPS 24. 5% year-over-year, compared to -14. 7% for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated. Over a 3-year CAGR, CRVL leads at 11. 5% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

CorVel Corporation (CRVL) is the more profitable company, earning 10.

6% net margin versus 2. 7% for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated — meaning it keeps 10. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CRVL leads at 13. 5% versus 4. 2% for UNH. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CRVL leads at 23. 4%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

On forward earnings alone, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) trades at 20.

2x forward P/E versus 33. 4x for CorVel Corporation — 13. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.

In this comparison, UNH (2.

4% yield) pays a dividend. CRVL does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

59), 2. 4% yield, +220. 6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (UNH: +220. 6%, CRVL: +267. 5%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

These companies operate in different sectors (CRVL (Financial Services) and UNH (Healthcare)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

UNH pays a dividend while CRVL does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.