MCK vs. UNH

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

MCK (McKesson Corporation) and UNH (UnitedHealth Group Incorporated) are both stocks. Both are in the Healthcare sector — MCK in Medical Distribution, UNH in Healthcare Plans. Over the past 10 years, MCK returned 15.61%/yr vs 12.52%/yr for UNH. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

MCK vs. UNH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in McKesson Corporation (MCK) 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, MCK achieves a -10.01% return, which is significantly lower than UNH's 15.37% return. Over the past 10 years, MCK has outperformed UNH with an annualized return of 15.61%, while UNH has yielded a comparatively lower 12.52% annualized return.

MCK

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: -9.39%
• YTD: -10.01%
• 6M: -11.03%
• 1Y: 2.50%
• 3Y*: 24.17%
• 5Y*: 31.32%
• 10Y*: 15.61%

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)

MCK vs. UNH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MCK McKesson Corporation	-10.01%	44.54%	23.67%	24.13%	51.82%	44.23%	27.06%	26.72%	-28.40%	11.95%
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 MCK and UNH is 0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.08
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 1994	0.33

Over the past year, the correlation between MCK and UNH has dropped to 0.08 - well below their long-term average of 0.33, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Fundamentals

Market Cap MCK : $90.40B UNH : $343.91B
EPS MCK : $38.38 UNH : $13.23
PE Ratio MCK : 19.20 UNH : 28.57
PS Ratio MCK : 0.23 UNH : 0.77
PB Ratio MCK : 13.07 UNH : 3.31
Total Revenue (TTM) MCK : $403.43B UNH : $449.71B
Gross Profit (TTM) MCK : $14.55B UNH : $84.55B
EBITDA (TTM) MCK : $6.91B UNH : $22.99B

Return for Risk

MCK vs. UNH — Risk / Return Rank

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

MCK

MCK Risk / Return Rank: 41
MCK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
MCK Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
MCK Omega Ratio Rank: 37
MCK Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
MCK Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

MCK vs. UNH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for McKesson Corporation (MCK) 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.

	MCK	UNH	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.09	0.69	-0.61
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.36	1.14	-0.78
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.17	-0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.11	0.99	-0.88
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.30	2.18	-1.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MCK vs. UNH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MCK Sharpe Ratio is 0.09, which is lower than the UNH Sharpe Ratio of 0.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MCK 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

	MCK	UNH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.09	0.69	-0.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.30	0.01	+1.30
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	0.44	0.63	-0.19

Drawdowns

MCK vs. UNH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MCK drawdown since its inception was -82.84%, which is greater than UNH's maximum drawdown of -74.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MCK and UNH.

Drawdown Indicators

	MCK	UNH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.84%	-74.37%	-8.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-27.17%	-28.96%	+1.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.17%	-61.39%	+34.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.17%	-61.39%	+34.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.23%	-61.39%	+17.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-25.92%	-37.35%	+11.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.65%	-14.76%	-13.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.61%	13.18%	-3.57%

Volatility

MCK vs. UNH - Volatility Comparison

McKesson Corporation (MCK) has a higher volatility of 9.57% compared to UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) at 6.91%. This indicates that MCK'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.

Volatility by Period

	MCK	UNH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.57%	6.91%	+2.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.04%	30.89%	-7.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.92%	39.87%	-10.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.17%	31.78%	-7.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.81%	30.15%	-1.34%

Dividends

MCK vs. UNH - Dividend Comparison

MCK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than UNH's 2.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MCK McKesson Corporation	0.45%	0.37%	0.47%	0.50%	0.54%	0.72%	0.95%	1.16%	1.32%	0.80%	0.80%	0.53%
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

MCK vs. UNH - Profitability Comparison

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

MCK - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, McKesson Corporation reported a gross profit of 4.04B and revenue of 96.30B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 4.2%.

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%.

MCK - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, McKesson Corporation reported an operating income of 2.09B and revenue of 96.30B, resulting in an operating margin of 2.2%.

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%.

MCK - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, McKesson Corporation reported a net income of 1.68B and revenue of 96.30B, resulting in a net margin of 1.8%.

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 MCK and UNH in my portfolio?

MCK and UNH have a correlation of 0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MCK or UNH?

MCK has higher volatility (9.57%) compared to UNH (6.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MCK dropped -82.84% vs UNH's -74.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UNH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.69 vs 0.09), 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.