Aveanna Healthcare (AVAH) vs Ensign Group (ENSG)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.
Summary
Aveanna Healthcare (AVAH) has outperformed Ensign Group (ENSG) over the past year, gaining 39.0% versus a loss of 2.3%. Over five years, ENSG leads with a +135.9% price change compared with +82.0% for AVAH. Ensign Group is the larger company by market cap ($10.01 billion vs $2.67 billion), about 3.7 times the size, while Aveanna Healthcare is growing revenue faster (+20.2% vs +18.7%).
On valuation, Aveanna Healthcare trades at a lower forward P/E (13.5x vs 20.1x for Ensign Group). Ensign Group pays a dividend yielding 0.15%, while Aveanna Healthcare does not currently pay one. Aveanna Healthcare converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.2% versus 6.8%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AVAH | ENSG |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $12.25 | $171.80 |
| Market cap | $2.67B | $10.01B |
| 1-day change | +0.08% | +0.18% |
| YTD return | +49.94% | -1.38% |
| 1-year return | +39.05% | -2.35% |
| 5-year return | +82.02% | +135.86% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 9.72 | 26.93 |
| Forward P/E | 13.50 | 20.07 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.26 | $6.38 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.15% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.258 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.43B | $5.06B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +20.19% | +18.72% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $225.03M | $343.97M |
| Gross margin | 33.31% | 20.54% |
| Operating margin | 10.54% | 8.41% |
| Net margin | 9.25% | 6.80% |
| 52-week high | $14.71 | $218.00 |
| 52-week low | $5.93 | $141.58 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -16.72% | -21.19% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +21.22% | +28.06% |
| Average volume | 3.06M | 374.06K |
| Shares outstanding | 218.29M | 58.28M |
| Employees | 3,500 | 46,000 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Medical/Nursing Services | Hospital/Nursing Management |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Ensign Group is about 3.7 times larger than Aveanna Healthcare by market value ($10.01B vs $2.67B).
- AVAH has outperformed ENSG by 41.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Ensign Group trades at a higher earnings multiple (26.9x vs 9.7x trailing P/E).
About Aveanna Healthcare
AVAH stock →Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc., a diversified home care platform company, provides pediatric and adult healthcare services in the United States. Its patient-centered care delivery platform allows patients to remain in their homes and minimizes the overutilization of high-cost care settings, such as hospitals or skilled nursing facilities.
Health Care · Medical/Nursing Services · 3,500 employees
About Ensign Group
ENSG stock →The Ensign Group, Inc. provides skilled nursing, senior living, and rehabilitative services.
Health Care · Hospital/Nursing Management · 46,000 employees
AVAH vs ENSG FAQ
Which is bigger, Aveanna Healthcare or Ensign Group?
Ensign Group (ENSG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $10.01B compared with $2.67B for Aveanna Healthcare (AVAH).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AVAH or ENSG?
AVAH returned +39.05% over the past 12 months, compared with -2.35% for ENSG (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AVAH or ENSG?
AVAH has the lower trailing P/E at 9.7, versus 26.9 for ENSG. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Aveanna Healthcare or Ensign Group?
Ensign Group pays a dividend yielding 0.15%, while Aveanna Healthcare does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Aveanna Healthcare and Ensign Group in the same industry?
Both are in the Health Care sector, but in different industries: Medical/Nursing Services for Aveanna Healthcare and Hospital/Nursing Management for Ensign Group.