CNC vs. UNH
CNC (Centene Corporation) and UNH (UnitedHealth Group Incorporated) are both stocks. Both operate in the Healthcare Plans industry within the Healthcare sector. Over the past 10 years, CNC returned 6.71%/yr vs 13.60%/yr for UNH. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
CNC vs. UNH - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, CNC achieves a 65.95% return, which is significantly higher than UNH's 31.74% return. Over the past 10 years, CNC has underperformed UNH with an annualized return of 6.71%, while UNH has yielded a comparatively higher 13.60% annualized return.
CNC
- 1D
- 1.40%
- 1M
- 4.76%
- 6M
- 47.21%
- YTD
- 65.95%
- 1Y
- 117.21%
- 3Y*
- 1.33%
- 5Y*
- -1.53%
- 10Y*
- 6.71%
UNH
- 1D
- 1.05%
- 1M
- 5.64%
- 6M
- 27.72%
- YTD
- 31.74%
- 1Y
- 44.88%
- 3Y*
- -1.71%
- 5Y*
- 2.46%
- 10Y*
- 13.60%
CNC vs. UNH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CNC Centene Corporation | 65.95% | -32.07% | -18.37% | -9.51% | -0.47% | 37.26% | -4.52% | 9.05% | 14.29% | 78.52% |
UNH UnitedHealth Group Incorporated | 31.74% | -33.14% | -2.41% | 0.80% | 6.94% | 45.20% | 21.25% | 20.00% | 14.52% | 39.83% |
Correlation
The correlation between CNC and UNH is 0.53, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.53 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.48 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.56 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.59 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 2001 | 0.48 |
The correlation between CNC and UNH shifts across timeframes, from 0.48 (3 years) to 0.59 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
CNC:
$33.72B
UNH:
$389.68B
CNC:
-$13.08
UNH:
$13.23
CNC:
0.17
UNH:
0.87
CNC:
1.58
UNH:
3.76
CNC:
$198.10B
UNH:
$449.71B
CNC:
$29.57B
UNH:
$84.55B
CNC:
-$5.11B
UNH:
$22.99B
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Return for Risk
CNC vs. UNH — Risk / Return Rank
CNC
UNH
CNC vs. UNH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Centene Corporation (CNC) and UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| CNC | UNH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.19 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.14 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.38 | 1.25 | +0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.60 | 1.56 | +2.04 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.63 | 3.65 | +6.98 |
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Drawdowns
CNC vs. UNH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum CNC drawdown since its inception was -74.07%, roughly equal to the maximum UNH drawdown of -74.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CNC and UNH.
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Drawdown Indicators
| CNC | UNH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -74.07% | -74.37% | +0.30% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -32.73% | -28.96% | -3.77% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -68.65% | -61.39% | -7.26% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -74.07% | -61.39% | -12.68% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -74.07% | -61.39% | -12.68% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -29.76% | -28.46% | -1.30% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -22.18% | -14.80% | -7.38% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 11.38% | 12.42% | -1.04% |
Volatility
CNC vs. UNH - Volatility Comparison
Centene Corporation (CNC) has a higher volatility of 11.14% compared to UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) at 7.19%. This indicates that CNC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UNH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| CNC | UNH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 11.14% | 7.19% | +3.95% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 36.81% | 31.08% | +5.73% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 50.76% | 39.69% | +11.07% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 39.70% | 32.00% | +7.70% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 38.62% | 30.26% | +8.36% |
Dividends
CNC vs. UNH - Dividend Comparison
CNC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while UNH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.09%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CNC Centene Corporation | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
UNH UnitedHealth Group Incorporated | 2.09% | 2.64% | 1.62% | 1.38% | 1.21% | 1.12% | 1.38% | 1.41% | 1.38% | 1.30% | 1.48% | 1.59% |
Financials
CNC vs. UNH - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Centene Corporation and UnitedHealth Group Incorporated. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
CNC vs. UNH - Profitability Comparison
CNC - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, Centene Corporation reported a gross profit of 10.94B and revenue of 49.94B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 21.9%.
UNH - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated reported a gross profit of 25.41B and revenue of 111.72B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 22.7%.
CNC - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, Centene Corporation reported an operating income of 1.86B and revenue of 49.94B, resulting in an operating margin of 3.7%.
UNH - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated reported an operating income of 8.99B and revenue of 111.72B, resulting in an operating margin of 8.1%.
CNC - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, Centene Corporation reported a net income of 1.54B and revenue of 49.94B, resulting in a net margin of 3.1%.
UNH - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated reported a net income of 6.28B and revenue of 111.72B, resulting in a net margin of 5.6%.
Frequently Asked Questions
CNC and UNH have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
CNC has higher volatility (11.14%) compared to UNH (7.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CNC dropped -74.07% vs UNH's -74.37%.
CNC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.14), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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