UnitedHealth Group (UNH) vs Cigna (CI): Stock Comparison
Data as of November 7, 2026. Refreshed weekly from SEC filings and market data.
Cigna is cheaper on earnings, at 12.4 times against 23.0; UnitedHealth Group keeps the higher net margin (3.5% against 2.3%); Cigna grew revenue faster over the last year (7.8% against 3.3%); dividend yield is about the same (2.2% and 2.0%). UnitedHealth Group clears 8 of this site's 8 value filters and Cigna 8. Figures are as of November 7, 2026; each is on the page below with its source.
How do UnitedHealth Group and Cigna compare on the numbers?
| Measure | UnitedHealth Group (UNH) | Cigna (CI) | Clearer lead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share price | $394.15 | $293.59 | |
| Market value | $365 billion | $79.7 billion | |
| P/E ratio (trailing) | 23.0 | 12.4 | CI |
| PEG ratio | 1.49 | 1.41 | About the same |
| Free-cash-flow yield | 6.3% | 12.3% | CI |
| Net profit margin | 3.5% | 2.3% | UNH |
| Revenue growth, last year | 3.3% | 7.8% | CI |
| Return on equity | 16.1% | 15.2% | About the same |
| Debt to equity | 0.71 | 0.75 | About the same |
| Dividend yield | 2.2% | 2.0% | About the same |
| Margin of safety (DCF) | +6.7% | +52.5% | CI |
| Value filters passed (of 8) | 8 | 8 | About the same |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.7% | -7.1% |
How have UnitedHealth Group and Cigna shares done against each other?
UnitedHealth Group 85Cigna 135
Each share price set to 100 on Nov 2021, to Nov 2026. Price only: dividends are not included.
From Nov 2021 to Nov 2026, UnitedHealth Group shares are down 15% and Cigna shares up 35%, so Cigna has pulled ahead of UnitedHealth Group by 49 points of the starting price. The deepest fall from a prior high in that window was 59% for UnitedHealth Group and 29% for Cigna.
| Period | UnitedHealth Group (UNH) | Cigna (CI) |
|---|---|---|
| Last 1 year | +22.6% | +14.5% |
| Last 3 years | -26.1% | -4.3% |
| Last 5 years | -13.5% | +37.1% |
Which has grown faster, UnitedHealth Group or Cigna?
Over 5 years, UnitedHealth Group grew revenue 11.7% a year and earnings per share -3.8% a year; Cigna grew revenue 11.4% and earnings per share 0.3%. Its net margin averaged 4.9% at UnitedHealth Group and 2.7% at Cigna.
| Measure | UnitedHealth Group (UNH) | Cigna (CI) |
|---|---|---|
| Latest fiscal year ended | Dec 2025 | Dec 2025 |
| Revenue, first year to latest | $257 billion to $448 billion | $160 billion to $275 billion |
| Revenue growth per year | 11.7% | 11.4% |
| Earnings per share, first year to latest | $16.03 to $13.23 | $23.04 to $23.41 |
| Earnings per share growth per year | -3.8% | 0.3% |
| Net margin, latest year | 2.7% | 2.3% |
| Net margin, average of the years | 4.9% | 2.7% |
| Free cash flow margin, latest year | 3.6% | n/a |
From each company's 10-K filings (SEC EDGAR), over its latest 5 years.
What growth does each share price assume?
| Measure | UnitedHealth Group (UNH) | Cigna (CI) |
|---|---|---|
| Free cash flow growth the price implies | 6.3% a year | -10.0% a year |
| Free cash flow per share | $24.75 | $36.23 |
| Margin of safety on this site's DCF | +6.7% | +52.5% |
At $394.15, UnitedHealth Group's price implies free cash flow growth of 6.3% a year, fading to 2.5% over 10 years. That is less growth than the 8% baseline.
At $293.59, Cigna's price implies free cash flow growth of -10.0% a year, fading to 2.5% over 10 years. That is less growth than the 8% baseline.
The same model and baseline as every stock page. A price that asks for less growth is not a better company, only a lower bar to clear.
Where is each stronger?
Where UnitedHealth Group leads
- Higher net margin: 3.5% against 2.3%
- A higher average net margin: 4.9% against 2.7%
Where Cigna leads
- Lower P/E: 12.4 against 23.0
- Higher free-cash-flow yield: 12.3% against 6.3%
- Faster revenue growth last year: 7.8% against 3.3%
- Higher margin of safety on this site's DCF: +52.5% against +6.7%
- Faster earnings-per-share growth over its filed record: 0.3% against -3.8%
About the same on: peg ratio, return on equity, debt to equity, dividend yield, value filters passed (of 8), revenue growth per year, net margin, latest year. A lead needs a clear gap (10% apart on a ratio, 1 point on a percentage), so a rounding difference never names a winner. A lead on one measure is not a verdict on the company.
How do the businesses differ?
UnitedHealth Group. UnitedHealth Group owns the largest US health insurer, UnitedHealthcare, and Optum, a health-services business covering pharmacy benefits, care delivery and data services. It earns insurance premiums and service fees.
Cigna. Cigna sells health insurance and runs Evernorth, which includes Express Scripts, one of the largest pharmacy benefit managers (it negotiates drug prices and runs mail-order pharmacy for employers and insurers).
Both are in the Health Care industry on this site.
What stands out about UnitedHealth Group
- No filter fails. UNH passes 8 of the 8 value filters.
- The margin of safety is falling. It went from +15% on Oct 7 to +7% on Nov 7 across 8 weekly readings.
- Strongest against peers: dividend yield. At 2.24% (peer median 1.01%) it ranks 3rd of 21 among health care stocks this site tracks.
What stands out about Cigna
- No filter fails. CI passes 8 of the 8 value filters.
- The margin of safety is falling. It went from +57% on Oct 7 to +53% on Nov 7 across 8 weekly readings.
- Strongest against peers: free-cash-flow yield. At 12.3% (peer median 5.3%) it ranks 3rd of 34 among health care stocks this site tracks.
Frequently asked questions about UnitedHealth Group and Cigna
Which is cheaper, UnitedHealth Group or Cigna?
On trailing earnings, Cigna is cheaper: UnitedHealth Group trades at 23.0 times and Cigna at 12.4 times. On free cash flow, the yields are 6.3% and 12.3%. Cheaper is not the same as better value: read the growth each price assumes below.
Which pays the higher dividend, UnitedHealth Group or Cigna?
Their yields are about the same: UnitedHealth Group 2.2% and Cigna 2.0% over the last year.
Which has grown faster, UnitedHealth Group or Cigna?
Over their latest filed five years, UnitedHealth Group grew revenue 11.7% a year and Cigna 11.4%; earnings per share grew -3.8% and 0.3% a year.
Which has more debt, UnitedHealth Group or Cigna?
They carry about the same debt for their equity: debt to equity is 0.71 for UnitedHealth Group and 0.75 for Cigna. A very high figure can also come from buybacks that shrank equity.
Which is more profitable, UnitedHealth Group or Cigna?
UnitedHealth Group keeps more of each sales dollar as profit: 3.5% for UnitedHealth Group and 2.3% for Cigna, with a return on equity of 16.1% and 15.2%.
Which passes more of the 8 value filters?
Both clear 8 of the 8. The filters are this site's own value rules, shown with each stock's page.
Where do these numbers come from?
Prices, ratios and yield are from this site's weekly data as of November 7, 2026; growth and margins by year are from each company's 10-K filings (sources on UnitedHealth Group and Cigna). The DCF is the same model on every stock page. See Editorial Standards. Educational, not investment advice.