HCA vs. UNH

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

HCA (HCA Healthcare, Inc.) and UNH (UnitedHealth Group Incorporated) are both stocks. Both are in the Healthcare sector — HCA in Medical Care Facilities, UNH in Healthcare Plans. Over the past 10 years, HCA returned 17.63%/yr vs 12.52%/yr for UNH. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

HCA vs. UNH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA) and UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HCA achieves a -21.20% return, which is significantly lower than UNH's 15.37% return. Over the past 10 years, HCA has outperformed UNH with an annualized return of 17.63%, while UNH has yielded a comparatively lower 12.52% annualized return.

HCA

• 1D: -0.97%
• 1M: -15.18%
• YTD: -21.20%
• 6M: -26.36%
• 1Y: -3.23%
• 3Y*: 11.10%
• 5Y*: 12.44%
• 10Y*: 17.63%

UNH

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 2.48%
• YTD: 15.37%
• 6M: 18.14%
• 1Y: 27.52%
• 3Y*: -7.07%
• 5Y*: 0.18%
• 10Y*: 12.52%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

HCA vs. UNH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HCA HCA Healthcare, Inc.	-21.20%	56.71%	11.75%	13.83%	-5.64%	57.58%	12.07%	20.24%	43.37%	18.67%
UNH UnitedHealth Group Incorporated	15.37%	-33.14%	-2.41%	0.80%	6.94%	45.20%	21.25%	20.00%	14.52%	39.83%

Correlation

The correlation between HCA and UNH is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 2011	0.34

The correlation between HCA and UNH shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (3 years) to 0.34 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

EPS HCA : $28.46 UNH : $13.23
PE Ratio HCA : 12.91 UNH : 28.57
PS Ratio HCA : 1.16 UNH : 0.77
Total Revenue (TTM) HCA : $75.60B UNH : $449.71B
Gross Profit (TTM) HCA : $31.37B UNH : $84.55B
EBITDA (TTM) HCA : $15.60B UNH : $22.99B

Return for Risk

HCA vs. UNH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

HCA

HCA Risk / Return Rank: 33
HCA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
HCA Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
HCA Omega Ratio Rank: 30
HCA Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
HCA Martin Ratio Rank: 35

UNH

UNH Risk / Return Rank: 60
UNH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
UNH Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
UNH Omega Ratio Rank: 60
UNH Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
UNH Martin Ratio Rank: 61

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

HCA vs. UNH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA) 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.

	HCA	UNH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.12	0.69	-0.81
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.02	1.14	-1.12
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.17	-0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.09	0.99	-1.08
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.32	2.18	-2.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HCA vs. UNH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HCA Sharpe Ratio is -0.12, which is lower than the UNH Sharpe Ratio of 0.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HCA and UNH, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	HCA	UNH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.12	0.69	-0.81
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.01	+0.41
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.42	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.61	0.63	-0.03

Drawdowns

HCA vs. UNH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HCA drawdown since its inception was -54.74%, smaller than the maximum UNH drawdown of -74.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HCA and UNH.

Drawdown Indicators

	HCA	UNH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.74%	-74.37%	+19.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.51%	-28.96%	-3.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.51%	-61.39%	+28.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.49%	-61.39%	+21.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.74%	-61.39%	+6.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-32.51%	-37.35%	+4.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.00%	-14.76%	+3.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.63%	13.18%	-3.55%

Volatility

HCA vs. UNH - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA) is 6.38%, while UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) has a volatility of 6.91%. This indicates that HCA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UNH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HCA	UNH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.38%	6.91%	-0.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.12%	30.89%	-9.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.88%	39.87%	-12.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.80%	31.78%	-1.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.61%	30.15%	+2.46%

Dividends

HCA vs. UNH - Dividend Comparison

HCA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.80%, less than UNH's 2.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HCA HCA Healthcare, Inc.	0.80%	0.62%	0.88%	0.89%	0.93%	0.75%	0.63%	1.08%	1.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
UNH UnitedHealth Group Incorporated	2.34%	2.64%	1.62%	1.38%	1.21%	1.12%	1.38%	1.41%	1.38%	1.30%	1.48%	1.59%

Financials

HCA vs. UNH - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between HCA Healthcare, Inc. and UnitedHealth Group Incorporated over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

HCA - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, HCA Healthcare, Inc. reported a gross profit of 8.18B and revenue of 19.51B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 41.9%.

UNH - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 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%.

HCA - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, HCA Healthcare, Inc. reported an operating income of 3.18B and revenue of 19.51B, resulting in an operating margin of 16.3%.

UNH - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated reported an operating income of 8.99B and revenue of 111.72B, resulting in an operating margin of 8.1%.

HCA - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, HCA Healthcare, Inc. reported a net income of 1.88B and revenue of 19.51B, resulting in a net margin of 9.6%.

UNH - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 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

Can I hold both HCA and UNH in my portfolio?

HCA and UNH have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HCA or UNH?

UNH has higher volatility (6.91%) compared to HCA (6.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HCA dropped -54.74% vs UNH's -74.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UNH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.69 vs -0.12), 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.