PFE vs. CVS
PFE (Pfizer Inc.) and CVS (CVS Health Corporation) are both stocks. Both are in the Healthcare sector — PFE in Drug Manufacturers - General, CVS in Healthcare Plans. Over the past 10 years, PFE returned 2.09%/yr vs 3.04%/yr for CVS. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
PFE vs. CVS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PFE achieves a 8.09% return, which is significantly lower than CVS's 22.94% return. Over the past 10 years, PFE has underperformed CVS with an annualized return of 2.09%, while CVS has yielded a comparatively higher 3.04% annualized return.
PFE
- 1D
- 1.36%
- 1M
- -0.23%
- YTD
- 8.09%
- 6M
- 3.39%
- 1Y
- 20.50%
- 3Y*
- -6.48%
- 5Y*
- -2.98%
- 10Y*
- 2.09%
CVS
- 1D
- 1.17%
- 1M
- 10.44%
- YTD
- 22.94%
- 6M
- 29.01%
- 1Y
- 57.64%
- 3Y*
- 15.19%
- 5Y*
- 5.54%
- 10Y*
- 3.04%
PFE vs. CVS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFE Pfizer Inc. | 8.09% | 0.65% | -2.22% | -41.26% | -10.41% | 66.70% | 3.07% | -6.91% | 24.82% | 15.90% |
CVS CVS Health Corporation | 22.94% | 84.35% | -40.77% | -12.53% | -7.63% | 54.87% | -5.14% | 17.26% | -7.04% | -5.75% |
Correlation
The correlation between PFE and CVS is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 18, 1984 | 0.31 |
The correlation between PFE and CVS shifts across timeframes, from 0.16 (1 year) to 0.36 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
PFE:
$149.24B
CVS:
$122.69B
PFE:
$1.31
CVS:
$2.30
PFE:
19.85
CVS:
41.67
PFE:
2.35
CVS:
0.30
PFE:
1.66
CVS:
1.58
PFE:
$63.32B
CVS:
$407.91B
PFE:
$43.91B
CVS:
$56.59B
PFE:
$16.94B
CVS:
$9.99B
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Return for Risk
PFE vs. CVS — Risk / Return Rank
PFE
CVS
PFE vs. CVS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pfizer Inc. (PFE) and CVS Health Corporation (CVS). 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.
| PFE | CVS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.86 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.35 | -0.18 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.79 | 3.52 | -1.73 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.68 | 9.07 | -5.39 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| PFE | CVS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.86 | 1.87 | -1.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.12 | 0.19 | -0.30 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.09 | 0.10 | -0.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.33 | 0.33 | 0.00 |
Drawdowns
PFE vs. CVS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PFE drawdown since its inception was -69.24%, which is greater than CVS's maximum drawdown of -64.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFE and CVS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PFE | CVS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -69.24% | -64.07% | -5.17% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.47% | -16.44% | +4.97% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -40.75% | -43.98% | +3.23% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -58.96% | -56.79% | -2.17% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -58.96% | -56.79% | -2.17% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -46.03% | -2.22% | -43.81% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -22.89% | -19.55% | -3.34% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.59% | 6.37% | -0.78% |
Volatility
PFE vs. CVS - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Pfizer Inc. (PFE) is 4.50%, while CVS Health Corporation (CVS) has a volatility of 8.85%. This indicates that PFE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CVS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PFE | CVS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.50% | 8.85% | -4.35% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.66% | 25.97% | -11.31% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 23.92% | 31.01% | -7.09% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.50% | 29.95% | -4.45% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.88% | 29.30% | -5.42% |
Dividends
PFE vs. CVS - Dividend Comparison
PFE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.61%, more than CVS's 2.77% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CVS CVS Health Corporation | 2.77% | 3.35% | 5.93% | 3.06% | 2.36% | 1.94% | 2.93% | 2.69% | 3.05% | 2.76% | 2.15% | 1.43% |
PFE Pfizer Inc. | 6.61% | 6.91% | 6.33% | 5.70% | 3.12% | 2.64% | 3.92% | 3.68% | 3.12% | 3.53% | 3.69% | 3.47% |
Financials
PFE vs. CVS - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Pfizer Inc. and CVS Health Corporation. 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
PFE vs. CVS - Profitability Comparison
PFE - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Pfizer Inc. reported a gross profit of 9.72B and revenue of 14.45B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 67.3%.
CVS - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, CVS Health Corporation reported a gross profit of 15.62B and revenue of 100.43B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 15.6%.
PFE - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Pfizer Inc. reported an operating income of 4.03B and revenue of 14.45B, resulting in an operating margin of 27.9%.
CVS - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, CVS Health Corporation reported an operating income of 4.68B and revenue of 100.43B, resulting in an operating margin of 4.7%.
PFE - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Pfizer Inc. reported a net income of 2.69B and revenue of 14.45B, resulting in a net margin of 18.6%.
CVS - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, CVS Health Corporation reported a net income of 2.94B and revenue of 100.43B, resulting in a net margin of 2.9%.
Frequently Asked Questions
PFE and CVS have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
CVS has higher volatility (8.85%) compared to PFE (4.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFE dropped -69.24% vs CVS's -64.07%.
CVS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 0.86), 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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