NHC vs UNH

For growth investors, National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) is the stronger pick with 13.

2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 11. 8% for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH). National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) offers the better valuation at 22. 1x trailing P/E (21. 3x 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, National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) is the cheapest at 22.

1x versus UnitedHealth Group Incorporated at 27. 8x. On forward P/E, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated is actually cheaper at 20. 1x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) delivered a total return of +152.

9%, compared to -2. 5% for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: UNH returned +220. 3% versus NHC's +195. 8%. 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), UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

59β versus National HealthCare Corporation's 0. 60β — meaning NHC is approximately 2% more volatile than UNH relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 8% versus 77% for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) is pulling ahead at 13.

2% versus 11. 8% for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: National HealthCare Corporation grew EPS 17. 5% year-over-year, compared to -14. 7% for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated. Over a 3-year CAGR, UNH leads at 11. 4% 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.

National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) is the more profitable company, earning 8.

2% net margin versus 2. 7% for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated — meaning it keeps 8. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NHC leads at 8. 7% versus 4. 2% for UNH. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NHC leads at 37. 3%, 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.

1x forward P/E versus 21. 3x for National HealthCare Corporation — 1. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) offers the highest yield at 2. 4%, versus 1. 5% for National HealthCare Corporation (NHC).

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. 3% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (UNH: +220. 3%, NHC: +195. 8%), 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.

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.