CVS
CVS Health Corporation
Medical - Healthcare Plans
Market Cap$111.32B
5Y Perf.+32.5%
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Stock Comparison
CVS vs CI vs UNH vs ELV
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
CI
Cigna Corporation
Medical - Healthcare Plans
Market Cap$74.35B
5Y Perf.+42.9%
UNH
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
Medical - Healthcare Plans
Market Cap$333.37B
5Y Perf.+20.5%
ELV
Elevance Health Inc.
Medical - Healthcare Plans
Market Cap$81.37B
5Y Perf.+27.4%
CVS vs CI vs UNH vs ELV — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | CVS | CI | UNH | ELV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Medical - Healthcare Plans | Medical - Healthcare Plans | Medical - Healthcare Plans | Medical - Healthcare Plans |
| Market Cap | $111.32B | $74.35B | $333.37B | $81.37B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $407.90B | $277.94B | $449.71B | $200.41B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $2.93B | $6.29B | $12.04B | $5.24B |
| Gross Margin | 13.9% | 9.3% | 18.8% | 23.2% |
| Operating Margin | 1.5% | 3.4% | 4.2% | 3.8% |
| Forward P/E | 12.1x | 9.3x | 20.1x | 14.0x |
| Total Debt | $93.59B | $31.46B | $78.39B | $33.23B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $8.51B | $7.68B | $24.36B | $9.49B |
CVS vs CI vs UNH vs ELV — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
CVS
CI
UNH
ELV
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVS Health Corporat… (CVS) | 100 | 132.5 | +32.5% |
| Cigna Corporation (CI) | 100 | 142.9 | +42.9% |
| UnitedHealth Group … (UNH) | 100 | 120.5 | +20.5% |
| Elevance Health Inc. (ELV) | 100 | 127.4 | +27.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CVS vs CI vs UNH vs ELV
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: CVS leads in 3 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for capital preservation and lower volatility and dividend income and shareholder returns. Elevance Health Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and operational efficiency and capital deployment. CI and UNH also each lead in at least one category. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
CVS
CVS Health Corporation
The Insurance Pick
CVS carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and defensive.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.05, yield 3.1%
- Beta 0.05, yield 3.1%, current ratio 0.84x
- Beta 0.05 vs UNH's 0.59
- 3.1% yield, vs UNH's 2.4%
Best for: income & stability and defensive
CI
Cigna Corporation
The Insurance Pick
CI is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night.
- 135.9% 10Y total return vs UNH's 220.3%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.35, Low D/E 75.1%, current ratio 0.85x
- Lower P/E (9.3x vs 14.0x)
Best for: long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night
UNH
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
The Insurance Pick
UNH is the clearest fit if your priority is quality.
- Combined ratio 1.0 vs CVS's 1.0 (lower = better underwriting)
Best for: quality
ELV
Elevance Health Inc.
The Insurance Pick
ELV is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if growth exposure is your priority.
- Rev growth 12.6%, EPS growth -2.2%, 3Y rev CAGR 8.3%
- 12.6% revenue growth vs CVS's 7.8%
- 4.3% ROA vs CVS's 1.1%, ROIC 9.1% vs 5.0%
Best for: growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | ELV | 12.6% revenue growth vs CVS's 7.8% |
| Value | CI | Lower P/E (9.3x vs 14.0x) |
| Quality / Margins | UNH | Combined ratio 1.0 vs CVS's 1.0 (lower = better underwriting) |
| Stability / Safety | CVS | Beta 0.05 vs UNH's 0.59 |
| Dividends | CVS | 3.1% yield, vs UNH's 2.4% |
| Momentum (1Y) | CVS | +35.2% vs CI's -13.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | ELV | 4.3% ROA vs CVS's 1.1%, ROIC 9.1% vs 5.0% |
CVS vs CI vs UNH vs ELV — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
CVS vs CI vs UNH vs ELV — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCVSLAGGINGELV
Who Leads Where
CI leads in 2 of 6 categories
CVS leads 2 • UNH leads 1 • ELV leads 0 • 1 tied
Explore the data ↓ELVElevance Health Inc.
0leads
UNHUnitedHealth Group In…
1leads
CICigna Corporation
2leads
CVSCVS Health Corporation
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs CIvs UNHMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
UNH3/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
CI5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
CI6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
CVS4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
CVS2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
UNH leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
UNH is the larger business by revenue, generating $449.7B annually — 2.2x ELV's $200.4B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 2.7% (UNH) to 0.7% (CVS). On growth, CVS holds the edge at +6.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | CVSCVS Health Corpor… | CICigna Corporation | UNHUnitedHealth Grou… | ELVElevance Health I… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $407.9B | $277.9B | $449.7B | $200.4B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $9.4B | $12.1B | $23.2B | $8.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $2.9B | $6.3B | $12.0B | $5.2B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $7.4B | $7.7B | $19.7B | $6.5B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +13.9% | +9.3% | +18.8% | +23.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +1.5% | +3.4% | +4.2% | +3.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +0.7% | +2.3% | +2.7% | +2.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +1.8% | +2.8% | +4.4% | +3.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +6.2% | +4.6% | +2.0% | +2.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +63.1% | +29.1% | +0.7% | -16.8% |
UNH leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
CI leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 12.7x trailing earnings, CI trades at a 80% valuation discount to CVS's 62.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, CI's 8.3x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than UNH's 16.6x.
| Metric | CVSCVS Health Corpor… | CICigna Corporation | UNHUnitedHealth Grou… | ELVElevance Health I… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $111.3B | $74.3B | $333.4B | $81.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $196.4B | $98.1B | $387.4B | $105.1B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 62.49x | 12.72x | 27.76x | 14.92x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 12.13x | 9.30x | 20.06x | 14.00x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | 2.16x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 13.10x | 8.34x | 16.61x | 10.88x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.28x | 0.27x | 0.74x | 0.41x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.46x | 1.79x | 3.29x | 1.89x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 14.26x | 8.86x | 20.74x | 25.64x |
CI leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CI leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CI delivers a 15.1% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $15 in annual profit, vs $4 for CVS. CI carries lower financial leverage with a 0.75x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CVS's 1.24x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CI scores 8/9 vs CVS's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | CVSCVS Health Corpor… | CICigna Corporation | UNHUnitedHealth Grou… | ELVElevance Health I… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +3.9% | +15.1% | +11.5% | +11.9% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +1.1% | +4.1% | +3.9% | +4.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +5.0% | +10.4% | +9.2% | +9.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +6.1% | +9.2% | +9.7% | +8.2% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.24x | 0.75x | 0.77x | 0.75x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $85.1B | $23.8B | $54.0B | $23.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $8.5B | $7.7B | $24.4B | $9.5B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $93.6B | $31.5B | $78.4B | $33.2B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 4.19x | 6.77x | 4.71x | 5.39x |
CI leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CVS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CI five years ago would be worth $11,971 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $9,746 for UNH. Over the past 12 months, CVS leads with a +35.2% total return vs CI's -13.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CVS at 10.8% vs UNH's -7.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | CVSCVS Health Corpor… | CICigna Corporation | UNHUnitedHealth Grou… | ELVElevance Health I… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +10.1% | +1.6% | +9.8% | +6.3% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +35.2% | -13.7% | -4.7% | -7.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +35.9% | +12.9% | -20.4% | -15.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +18.4% | +19.7% | -2.5% | +4.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +3.9% | +135.9% | +220.3% | +206.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +10.8% | +4.1% | -7.3% | -5.4% |
CVS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CVS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CVS is the less volatile stock with a 0.05 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than UNH's 0.59 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CVS currently trades 98.0% from its 52-week high vs CI's 83.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | CVSCVS Health Corpor… | CICigna Corporation | UNHUnitedHealth Grou… | ELVElevance Health I… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.05x | 0.35x | 0.59x | 0.46x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $88.63 | $338.89 | $404.72 | $424.24 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $58.35 | $239.51 | $234.60 | $273.71 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +98.0% | +83.2% | +90.7% | +88.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 57.1 | 47.9 | 74.5 | 73.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 7.4M | 1.6M | 8.1M | 1.9M |
CVS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — CVS and UNH each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: CVS as "Buy", CI as "Buy", UNH as "Buy", ELV as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 16.3% upside for CI (target: $328) vs 2.0% for ELV (target: $382). For income investors, CVS offers the higher dividend yield at 3.08% vs ELV's 1.84%.
| Metric | CVSCVS Health Corpor… | CICigna Corporation | UNHUnitedHealth Grou… | ELVElevance Health I… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $95.20 | $328.00 | $385.43 | $382.38 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 41 | 39 | 52 | 37 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.1% | +2.1% | +2.4% | +1.8% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 6 | 25 | 15 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $2.67 | $6.06 | $8.70 | $6.89 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +4.9% | +1.7% | +3.2% |
Evenly matched — CVS and UNH each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
CI leads in 2 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). CVS leads in 2 (Total Returns, Risk & Volatility). 1 tied.
Best OverallCVS Health Corporation (CVS)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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CVS vs CI vs UNH vs ELV: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CVS or CI or UNH or ELV a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Elevance Health Inc.
(ELV) is the stronger pick with 12. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 7. 8% for CVS Health Corporation (CVS). Cigna Corporation (CI) offers the better valuation at 12. 7x trailing P/E (9. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate CVS Health Corporation (CVS) a "Buy" — based on 41 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.
02Which has the better valuation — CVS or CI or UNH or ELV?
On trailing P/E, Cigna Corporation (CI) is the cheapest at 12.
7x versus CVS Health Corporation at 62. 5x. On forward P/E, Cigna Corporation is actually cheaper at 9. 3x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CVS or CI or UNH or ELV?
Over the past 5 years, Cigna Corporation (CI) delivered a total return of +19.
7%, compared to -2. 5% for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: UNH returned +220. 3% versus CVS's +3. 9%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — CVS or CI or UNH or ELV?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), CVS Health Corporation (CVS) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
05β versus UnitedHealth Group Incorporated's 0. 59β — meaning UNH is approximately 1059% more volatile than CVS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Cigna Corporation (CI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 75% versus 124% for CVS Health Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — CVS or CI or UNH or ELV?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Elevance Health Inc.
(ELV) is pulling ahead at 12. 6% versus 7. 8% for CVS Health Corporation (CVS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Cigna Corporation grew EPS 82. 9% year-over-year, compared to -62. 0% for CVS Health Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, CI leads at 15. 1% 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.
06Which has better profit margins — CVS or CI or UNH or ELV?
Elevance Health Inc.
(ELV) is the more profitable company, earning 2. 8% net margin versus 0. 4% for CVS Health Corporation — meaning it keeps 2. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: UNH leads at 4. 2% versus 2. 6% for CVS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ELV leads at 25. 6%, 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.
07Is CVS or CI or UNH or ELV more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Cigna Corporation (CI) trades at 9.
3x forward P/E versus 20. 1x for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated — 10. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CI: 16. 3% to $328. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — CVS or CI or UNH or ELV?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
CVS Health Corporation (CVS) offers the highest yield at 3. 1%, versus 1. 8% for Elevance Health Inc. (ELV).
09Is CVS or CI or UNH or ELV better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, CVS Health Corporation (CVS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
05), 3. 1% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CVS: +3. 9%, UNH: +220. 3%), 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.
10What are the main differences between CVS and CI and UNH and ELV?
Both stocks operate in the Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: CVS is a mid-cap income-oriented stock; CI is a mid-cap deep-value stock; UNH is a large-cap quality compounder stock; ELV is a mid-cap deep-value stock. 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.
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(CVS: 6.2% · CI: 4.6%)P/E Ratio<
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