HUM
Humana Inc.
Medical - Healthcare Plans
Market Cap$28.76B
5Y Perf.-41.7%
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Stock Comparison
HUM vs UNH
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
UNH
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
Medical - Healthcare Plans
Market Cap$330.28B
5Y Perf.+19.4%
HUM vs UNH — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | HUM | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Medical - Healthcare Plans | Medical - Healthcare Plans |
| Market Cap | $28.76B | $330.28B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $137.20B | $449.71B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $1.13B | $12.04B |
| Gross Margin | 14.0% | 18.8% |
| Operating Margin | 1.0% | 4.2% |
| Forward P/E | 26.8x | 19.9x |
| Total Debt | $12.94B | $78.39B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $4.20B | $24.36B |
HUM vs UNH — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
HUM
UNH
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humana Inc. (HUM) | 100 | 58.3 | -41.7% |
| UnitedHealth Group … (UNH) | 100 | 119.4 | +19.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: HUM vs UNH
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: UNH leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Humana Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for capital preservation and lower volatility and recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
HUM
Humana Inc.
The Insurance Pick
HUM is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and sleep-well-at-night.
- Rev growth 10.1%, EPS growth -1.4%, 3Y rev CAGR 11.7%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.56, Low D/E 72.9%, current ratio 0.72x
- Beta 0.56 vs UNH's 0.59, lower leverage
Best for: growth exposure and sleep-well-at-night
UNH
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
The Insurance Pick
UNH carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 25 yrs, beta 0.59, yield 2.4%
- 217.0% 10Y total return vs HUM's 52.9%
- Beta 0.59, yield 2.4%, current ratio 0.79x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | UNH | 11.8% revenue growth vs HUM's 10.1% |
| Value | UNH | Lower P/E (19.9x vs 26.8x) |
| Quality / Margins | UNH | Combined ratio 1.0 vs HUM's 1.0 (lower = better underwriting) |
| Stability / Safety | HUM | Beta 0.56 vs UNH's 0.59, lower leverage |
| Dividends | UNH | 2.4% yield, 25-year raise streak, vs HUM's 1.5% |
| Momentum (1Y) | HUM | -5.3% vs UNH's -7.9% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | UNH | 3.9% ROA vs HUM's 2.2%, ROIC 9.2% vs 4.1% |
HUM vs UNH — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
HUM vs UNH — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLUNHLAGGINGHUM
HUMHumana Inc.
1leads
UNHUnitedHealth Group In…
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs HUMMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
UNH5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
HUM4/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
UNH6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
UNH5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
UNH2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
UNH leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
UNH is the larger business by revenue, generating $449.7B annually — 3.3x HUM's $137.2B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 2.7% (UNH) to 0.8% (HUM). On growth, HUM holds the edge at +23.5% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | HUMHumana Inc. | UNHUnitedHealth Grou… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $137.2B | $449.7B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $2.2B | $23.2B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $1.1B | $12.0B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $1.3B | $19.7B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +14.0% | +18.8% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +1.0% | +4.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +0.8% | +2.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +0.9% | +4.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +23.5% | +2.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -4.6% | +0.7% |
UNH leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
HUM leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 24.3x trailing earnings, HUM trades at a 11% valuation discount to UNH's 27.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, HUM's 16.5x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than UNH's 16.5x.
| Metric | HUMHumana Inc. | UNHUnitedHealth Grou… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $28.8B | $330.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $37.5B | $384.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 24.34x | 27.50x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 26.82x | 19.87x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 16.47x | 16.48x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.22x | 0.74x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.63x | 3.26x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 76.69x | 20.55x |
HUM leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
UNH leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
UNH delivers a 11.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $12 in annual profit, vs $6 for HUM. HUM carries lower financial leverage with a 0.73x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to UNH's 0.77x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), UNH scores 6/9 vs HUM's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | HUMHumana Inc. | UNHUnitedHealth Grou… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +6.2% | +11.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +2.2% | +3.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +4.1% | +9.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +4.0% | +9.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.73x | 0.77x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $8.7B | $54.0B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $4.2B | $24.4B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $12.9B | $78.4B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 3.08x | 4.71x |
UNH leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
UNH leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in UNH five years ago would be worth $9,722 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $5,570 for HUM. Over the past 12 months, HUM leads with a -5.3% total return vs UNH's -7.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors UNH at -7.7% vs HUM's -22.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | HUMHumana Inc. | UNHUnitedHealth Grou… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -9.1% | +8.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -5.3% | -7.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -53.2% | -21.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -44.3% | -2.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +52.9% | +217.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -22.4% | -7.7% |
UNH leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — HUM and UNH each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
HUM is the less volatile stock with a 0.56 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. UNH currently trades 88.8% from its 52-week high vs HUM's 76.0% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | HUMHumana Inc. | UNHUnitedHealth Grou… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.56x | 0.59x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $315.35 | $409.70 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $163.11 | $234.60 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +76.0% | +88.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 73.2 | 83.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.6M | 8.1M |
Evenly matched — HUM and UNH each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
UNH leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates HUM as "Hold" and UNH as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 5.9% upside for UNH (target: $385) vs 2.7% for HUM (target: $246). For income investors, UNH offers the higher dividend yield at 2.39% vs HUM's 1.49%.
| Metric | HUMHumana Inc. | UNHUnitedHealth Grou… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $246.00 | $385.43 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 44 | 52 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.5% | +2.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 25 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $3.56 | $8.70 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.5% | +1.7% |
UNH leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
UNH leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). HUM leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
Best OverallUnitedHealth Group Incorpor… (UNH)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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HUM vs UNH: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is HUM or UNH a better buy right now?
For growth investors, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) is the stronger pick with 11.
8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 10. 1% for Humana Inc. (HUM). Humana Inc. (HUM) offers the better valuation at 24. 3x trailing P/E (26. 8x 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.
02Which has the better valuation — HUM or UNH?
On trailing P/E, Humana Inc.
(HUM) is the cheapest at 24. 3x versus UnitedHealth Group Incorporated at 27. 5x. On forward P/E, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated is actually cheaper at 19. 9x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — HUM or UNH?
Over the past 5 years, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) delivered a total return of -2.
8%, compared to -44. 3% for Humana Inc. (HUM). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: UNH returned +217. 0% versus HUM's +52. 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 — HUM or UNH?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Humana Inc.
(HUM) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 56β versus UnitedHealth Group Incorporated's 0. 59β — meaning UNH is approximately 4% more volatile than HUM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Humana Inc. (HUM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 73% versus 77% for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — HUM or UNH?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) is pulling ahead at 11.
8% versus 10. 1% for Humana Inc. (HUM). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Humana Inc. grew EPS -1. 4% year-over-year, compared to -14. 7% for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated. Over a 3-year CAGR, HUM leads at 11. 7% 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 — HUM or UNH?
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) is the more profitable company, earning 2.
7% net margin versus 0. 9% for Humana Inc. — meaning it keeps 2. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: UNH leads at 4. 2% versus 1. 1% for HUM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — UNH leads at 18. 5%, 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 HUM or UNH more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) trades at 19.
9x forward P/E versus 26. 8x for Humana Inc. — 7. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for UNH: 5. 9% to $385. 43.
08Which pays a better dividend — HUM or UNH?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) offers the highest yield at 2. 4%, versus 1. 5% for Humana Inc. (HUM).
09Is HUM or UNH better for a retirement portfolio?
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, +217. 0% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (UNH: +217. 0%, HUM: +52. 9%), 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 HUM and UNH?
Both stocks operate in the Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
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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(HUM: 23.5% · UNH: 2.0%)P/E Ratio<
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