ELV
Elevance Health Inc.
Medical - Healthcare Plans
Market Cap$80.15B
5Y Perf.+27.4%
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Stock Comparison
ELV vs CVS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
CVS
CVS Health Corporation
Medical - Healthcare Plans
Market Cap$102.56B
5Y Perf.+32.5%
ELV vs CVS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ELV | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Medical - Healthcare Plans | Medical - Healthcare Plans |
| Market Cap | $80.15B | $102.56B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $200.41B | $402.07B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $5.24B | $1.77B |
| Gross Margin | 23.2% | 13.8% |
| Operating Margin | 3.8% | 1.2% |
| Forward P/E | 13.8x | 11.3x |
| Total Debt | $33.23B | $93.59B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $9.49B | $8.51B |
ELV vs CVS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
ELV
CVS
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevance Health Inc. (ELV) | 100 | 127.4 | +27.4% |
| CVS Health Corporat… (CVS) | 100 | 132.5 | +32.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ELV vs CVS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: ELV leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. CVS Health Corporation is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and capital preservation and lower volatility. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
ELV
Elevance Health Inc.
The Insurance Pick
ELV carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 12.6%, EPS growth -2.2%, 3Y rev CAGR 8.3%
- 202.3% 10Y total return vs CVS's -2.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.46, Low D/E 75.5%, current ratio 1.24x
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
CVS
CVS Health Corporation
The Insurance Pick
CVS is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and defensive.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.05, yield 3.3%
- Beta 0.05, yield 3.3%, current ratio 0.84x
- Lower P/E (11.3x vs 13.8x)
Best for: income & stability and defensive
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | ELV | 12.6% revenue growth vs CVS's 7.8% |
| Value | CVS | Lower P/E (11.3x vs 13.8x) |
| Quality / Margins | ELV | Combined ratio 1.0 vs CVS's 1.0 (lower = better underwriting) |
| Stability / Safety | CVS | Beta 0.05 vs ELV's 0.46 |
| Dividends | ELV | 1.9% yield, 15-year raise streak, vs CVS's 3.3% |
| Momentum (1Y) | CVS | +24.2% vs ELV's -9.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | ELV | 4.3% ROA vs CVS's 0.7%, ROIC 9.1% vs 5.0% |
ELV vs CVS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
ELV vs CVS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCVSLAGGINGELV
ELVElevance Health Inc.
2leads
CVSCVS Health Corporation
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs ELVMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
ELV4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
CVS4/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
ELV9/9
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)
ELV leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CVS is the larger business by revenue, generating $402.1B annually — 2.0x ELV's $200.4B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 2.6% (ELV) to 0.4% (CVS). On growth, CVS holds the edge at +8.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ELVElevance Health I… | CVSCVS Health Corpor… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $200.4B | $402.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $8.9B | $9.3B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $5.2B | $1.8B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $6.5B | $7.8B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +23.2% | +13.8% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +3.8% | +1.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +2.6% | +0.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +3.2% | +1.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +2.6% | +8.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -16.8% | +76.9% |
ELV leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
CVS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 14.7x trailing earnings, ELV trades at a 75% valuation discount to CVS's 58.1x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, ELV's 10.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CVS's 12.5x.
| Metric | ELVElevance Health I… | CVSCVS Health Corpor… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $80.1B | $102.6B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $103.9B | $187.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 14.69x | 58.05x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 13.79x | 11.27x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 2.12x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 10.76x | 12.52x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.40x | 0.26x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.86x | 1.36x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 25.25x | 13.14x |
CVS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ELV leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ELV delivers a 11.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $12 in annual profit, vs $2 for CVS. ELV 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), ELV scores 6/9 vs CVS's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ELVElevance Health I… | CVSCVS Health Corpor… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +11.9% | +2.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +4.3% | +0.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +9.1% | +5.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +8.2% | +6.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.75x | 1.24x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $23.7B | $85.1B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $9.5B | $8.5B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $33.2B | $93.6B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 5.39x | 1.68x |
ELV leads this category, winning 9 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 CVS five years ago would be worth $11,195 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $10,243 for ELV. Over the past 12 months, CVS leads with a +24.2% total return vs ELV's -9.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CVS at 7.8% vs ELV's -5.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ELVElevance Health I… | CVSCVS Health Corpor… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +4.7% | +2.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -9.7% | +24.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -16.3% | +25.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +2.4% | +11.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +202.3% | -2.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -5.8% | +7.8% |
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 ELV's 0.46 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CVS currently trades 94.8% from its 52-week high vs ELV's 87.0% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ELVElevance Health I… | CVSCVS Health Corpor… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.46x | 0.05x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $424.24 | $85.15 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $273.71 | $58.35 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +87.0% | +94.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 76.4 | 62.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.9M | 7.3M |
CVS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — ELV and CVS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates ELV as "Buy" and CVS as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 18.0% upside for CVS (target: $95) vs 3.6% for ELV (target: $382). For income investors, CVS offers the higher dividend yield at 3.31% vs ELV's 1.87%.
| Metric | ELVElevance Health I… | CVSCVS Health Corpor… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $382.38 | $95.20 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 37 | 41 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.9% | +3.3% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 15 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $6.89 | $2.67 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +3.3% | 0.0% |
Evenly matched — ELV and CVS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
CVS leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Total Returns). ELV leads in 2 (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). 1 tied.
Best OverallCVS Health Corporation (CVS)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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ELV vs CVS: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ELV or CVS 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). Elevance Health Inc. (ELV) offers the better valuation at 14. 7x trailing P/E (13. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Elevance Health Inc. (ELV) a "Buy" — based on 37 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 — ELV or CVS?
On trailing P/E, Elevance Health Inc.
(ELV) is the cheapest at 14. 7x versus CVS Health Corporation at 58. 1x. On forward P/E, CVS Health Corporation is actually cheaper at 11. 3x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — ELV or CVS?
Over the past 5 years, CVS Health Corporation (CVS) delivered a total return of +11.
9%, compared to +2. 4% for Elevance Health Inc. (ELV). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ELV returned +202. 3% versus CVS's -2. 2%. 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 — ELV or CVS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), CVS Health Corporation (CVS) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
05β versus Elevance Health Inc. 's 0. 46β — meaning ELV is approximately 814% more volatile than CVS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Elevance Health Inc. (ELV) 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 — ELV or CVS?
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: Elevance Health Inc. grew EPS -2. 2% year-over-year, compared to -62. 0% for CVS Health Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, ELV leads at 8. 3% 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 — ELV or CVS?
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: ELV leads at 4. 1% 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 ELV or CVS more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, CVS Health Corporation (CVS) trades at 11.
3x forward P/E versus 13. 8x for Elevance Health Inc. — 2. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CVS: 18. 0% to $95. 20.
08Which pays a better dividend — ELV or CVS?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
CVS Health Corporation (CVS) offers the highest yield at 3. 3%, versus 1. 9% for Elevance Health Inc. (ELV).
09Is ELV or CVS 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. 3% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CVS: -2. 2%, ELV: +202. 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 ELV and CVS?
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: ELV is a mid-cap deep-value stock; CVS is a mid-cap income-oriented 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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(ELV: 2.6% · CVS: 8.2%)P/E Ratio<
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