Medical - Care Facilities
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THC vs SEM
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Medical - Care Facilities
THC vs SEM — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Medical - Care Facilities | Medical - Care Facilities |
| Market Cap | $17.04B | $2.04B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $21.45B | $5.52B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $1.70B | $134M |
| Gross Margin | 42.8% | 10.6% |
| Operating Margin | 16.1% | 5.8% |
| Forward P/E | 11.0x | 13.1x |
| Total Debt | $13.17B | $3.70B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $2.88B | $27M |
THC vs SEM — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tenet Healthcare Co… (THC) | 100 | 893.9 | +793.9% |
| Select Medical Hold… (SEM) | 100 | 189.1 | +89.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: THC vs SEM
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
THC carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.71
- 5.2% 10Y total return vs SEM's 163.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.71, current ratio 1.76x
SEM is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and defensive.
- Rev growth 5.1%, EPS growth -28.9%, 3Y rev CAGR -4.9%
- Beta 0.46, yield 1.5%, current ratio 1.04x
- 5.1% revenue growth vs THC's 3.1%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 5.1% revenue growth vs THC's 3.1% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (11.0x vs 13.1x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 7.9% margin vs SEM's 2.4% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.46 vs THC's 0.71 | |
| Dividends | 1.5% yield; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +28.4% vs SEM's +15.4% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 5.7% ROA vs SEM's 2.3%, ROIC 13.2% vs 4.8% |
THC vs SEM — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
THC vs SEM — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
THC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
THC is the larger business by revenue, generating $21.5B annually — 3.9x SEM's $5.5B. THC is the more profitable business, keeping 7.9% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to SEM's 2.4%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $21.5B | $5.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $4.3B | $465M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $1.7B | $134M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $3.3B | $117M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +42.8% | +10.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +16.1% | +5.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +7.9% | +2.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +15.6% | +2.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +2.8% | +5.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +87.6% | -18.2% |
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — THC and SEM each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 12.6x trailing earnings, THC trades at a 10% valuation discount to SEM's 13.9x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, THC's 6.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than SEM's 12.0x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $17.0B | $2.0B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $27.3B | $5.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 12.56x | 13.92x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 10.96x | 13.06x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.38x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 6.35x | 12.04x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.80x | 0.37x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.97x | 1.00x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 6.74x | 5.32x |
Profitability & Efficiency
THC leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
THC delivers a 19.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $20 in annual profit, vs $7 for SEM. THC carries lower financial leverage with a 1.47x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SEM's 1.82x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), THC scores 7/9 vs SEM's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +19.6% | +6.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +5.7% | +2.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +13.2% | +4.8% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +13.8% | +7.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.47x | 1.82x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $10.3B | $3.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $2.9B | $27M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $13.2B | $3.7B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 4.28x | 4.41x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
THC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in THC five years ago would be worth $29,737 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $8,490 for SEM. Over the past 12 months, THC leads with a +28.4% total return vs SEM's +15.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors THC at 40.8% vs SEM's 2.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -2.5% | +11.3% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +28.4% | +15.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +179.1% | +7.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +197.4% | -15.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +519.3% | +163.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +40.8% | +2.4% |
Risk & Volatility
SEM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
SEM is the less volatile stock with a 0.46 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than THC's 0.71 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. SEM currently trades 96.7% from its 52-week high vs THC's 78.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.71x | 0.46x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $247.21 | $16.99 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $146.31 | $11.65 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +78.7% | +96.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 46.1 | 62.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.2M | 2.1M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates THC as "Buy" and SEM as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 37.8% upside for THC (target: $268) vs 9.6% for SEM (target: $18). SEM is the only dividend payer here at 1.55% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $268.00 | $18.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 32 | 13 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +1.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.25 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +8.4% | +4.9% |
THC leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). SEM leads in 1 (Risk & Volatility). 1 tied.
THC vs SEM: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is THC or SEM a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Select Medical Holdings Corporation (SEM) is the stronger pick with 5.
1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 3. 1% for Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC). Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC) offers the better valuation at 12. 6x trailing P/E (11. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC) a "Buy" — based on 32 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 — THC or SEM?
On trailing P/E, Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC) is the cheapest at 12.
6x versus Select Medical Holdings Corporation at 13. 9x. On forward P/E, Tenet Healthcare Corporation is actually cheaper at 11. 0x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — THC or SEM?
Over the past 5 years, Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC) delivered a total return of +197.
4%, compared to -15. 1% for Select Medical Holdings Corporation (SEM). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: THC returned +519. 3% versus SEM's +163. 0%. 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 — THC or SEM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Select Medical Holdings Corporation (SEM) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
46β versus Tenet Healthcare Corporation's 0. 71β — meaning THC is approximately 54% more volatile than SEM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 147% versus 182% for Select Medical Holdings Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — THC or SEM?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Select Medical Holdings Corporation (SEM) is pulling ahead at 5.
1% versus 3. 1% for Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Select Medical Holdings Corporation grew EPS -28. 9% year-over-year, compared to -52. 6% for Tenet Healthcare Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, THC leads at 3. 6% 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 — THC or SEM?
Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC) is the more profitable company, earning 6.
6% net margin versus 2. 7% for Select Medical Holdings Corporation — meaning it keeps 6. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: THC leads at 16. 1% versus 6. 1% for SEM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — THC leads at 82. 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.
07Is THC or SEM more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC) trades at 11.
0x forward P/E versus 13. 1x for Select Medical Holdings Corporation — 2. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for THC: 37. 8% to $268. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — THC or SEM?
In this comparison, SEM (1.
5% yield) pays a dividend. THC does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is THC or SEM better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Select Medical Holdings Corporation (SEM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
46), 1. 5% yield, +163. 0% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SEM: +163. 0%, THC: +519. 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 THC and SEM?
Both stocks operate in the Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
SEM pays a dividend while THC 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.
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