UNH vs. WM
UNH (UnitedHealth Group Incorporated) and WM (Waste Management, Inc.) are both stocks. UNH operates in Healthcare Plans (Healthcare), while WM operates in Waste Management (Industrials). Over the past 10 years, UNH returned 13.58%/yr vs 14.98%/yr for WM. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
UNH vs. WM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, UNH achieves a 30.96% return, which is significantly higher than WM's 2.84% return. Over the past 10 years, UNH has underperformed WM with an annualized return of 13.58%, while WM has yielded a comparatively higher 14.98% annualized return.
UNH
- 1D
- 2.62%
- 1M
- 12.93%
- YTD
- 30.96%
- 6M
- 30.96%
- 1Y
- 34.29%
- 3Y*
- -1.94%
- 5Y*
- 2.61%
- 10Y*
- 13.58%
WM
- 1D
- 0.54%
- 1M
- 5.90%
- YTD
- 2.84%
- 6M
- 2.84%
- 1Y
- -0.49%
- 3Y*
- 10.60%
- 5Y*
- 11.28%
- 10Y*
- 14.98%
UNH vs. WM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UNH UnitedHealth Group Incorporated | 30.96% | -33.14% | -2.41% | 0.80% | 6.94% | 45.20% | 21.25% | 20.00% | 14.52% | 39.83% |
WM Waste Management, Inc. | 2.84% | 10.50% | 14.28% | 16.20% | -4.49% | 43.82% | 5.46% | 30.45% | 5.32% | 24.46% |
Correlation
The correlation between UNH and WM is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 1991 | 0.23 |
The correlation between UNH and WM shifts across timeframes, from 0.12 (1 year) to 0.34 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
UNH:
$388.15B
WM:
$90.62B
UNH:
$13.23
WM:
$6.91
UNH:
32.25
WM:
32.43
UNH:
0.86
WM:
3.57
UNH:
3.74
WM:
9.04
UNH:
$449.71B
WM:
$25.41B
UNH:
$84.55B
WM:
$5.61B
UNH:
$22.99B
WM:
$6.96B
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Return for Risk
UNH vs. WM — Risk / Return Rank
UNH
WM
UNH vs. WM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) and Waste Management, Inc. (WM). 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.
| UNH | WM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.89 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.22 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.01 | +0.19 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.19 | -0.03 | +1.22 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.74 | -0.06 | +2.81 |
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Drawdowns
UNH vs. WM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum UNH drawdown since its inception was -74.37%, roughly equal to the maximum WM drawdown of -77.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UNH and WM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| UNH | WM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -74.37% | -77.85% | +3.48% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -28.96% | -16.70% | -12.26% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -61.39% | -18.14% | -43.25% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -61.39% | -18.14% | -43.25% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -61.39% | -30.07% | -31.32% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -28.88% | -8.34% | -20.54% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.79% | -17.67% | +2.88% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 13.17% | 7.78% | +5.39% |
Volatility
UNH vs. WM - Volatility Comparison
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) has a higher volatility of 8.09% compared to Waste Management, Inc. (WM) at 6.67%. This indicates that UNH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than WM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| UNH | WM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.09% | 6.67% | +1.42% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 31.10% | 14.32% | +16.78% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 40.23% | 19.20% | +21.03% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 31.96% | 18.68% | +13.28% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 30.24% | 19.56% | +10.68% |
Dividends
UNH vs. WM - Dividend Comparison
UNH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.10%, more than WM's 1.58% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UNH UnitedHealth Group Incorporated | 2.10% | 2.64% | 1.62% | 1.38% | 1.21% | 1.12% | 1.38% | 1.41% | 1.38% | 1.30% | 1.48% | 1.59% |
WM Waste Management, Inc. | 1.58% | 1.50% | 1.49% | 1.56% | 1.66% | 1.38% | 1.85% | 1.80% | 2.09% | 1.97% | 2.31% | 2.89% |
Financials
UNH vs. WM - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between UnitedHealth Group Incorporated and Waste Management, Inc.. 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
UNH vs. WM - Profitability Comparison
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%.
WM - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, Waste Management, Inc. reported a gross profit of 0.00 and revenue of 6.23B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 0.0%.
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%.
WM - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, Waste Management, Inc. reported an operating income of 1.11B and revenue of 6.23B, resulting in an operating margin of 17.9%.
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%.
WM - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, Waste Management, Inc. reported a net income of 723.00M and revenue of 6.23B, resulting in a net margin of 11.6%.
Frequently Asked Questions
UNH and WM have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
UNH has higher volatility (8.09%) compared to WM (6.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UNH dropped -74.37% vs WM's -77.85%.
UNH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.86 vs -0.03), 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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