Cigna Group (CI) vs UnitedHealth Group (UNH)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) has outperformed Cigna Group (CI) over the past year, gaining 0.3% versus a loss of 8.4%. Over five years, CI leads with a +35.1% price change compared with -13.3% for UNH. UnitedHealth Group is the larger company by market cap ($332.96 billion vs $74.26 billion), about 4.5 times the size.
On valuation, Cigna Group trades at a lower forward P/E (8.4x vs 16.4x for UnitedHealth Group). UnitedHealth Group offers the higher dividend yield (2.41% vs 2.18%). UnitedHealth Group converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 2.7% versus 2.2%.
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 | CI | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $281.03 | $370.95 |
| Market cap | $74.26B | $332.96B |
| 1-day change | +0.90% | -1.34% |
| YTD return | +2.11% | +12.37% |
| 1-year return | -8.39% | +0.28% |
| 5-year return | +35.07% | -13.34% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 11.62 | 24.18 |
| Forward P/E | 8.39 | 16.41 |
| EPS (TTM) | $24.19 | $15.34 |
| Dividend yield | 2.18% | 2.41% |
| Annual dividend | $6.14 | $8.95 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $274.90B | $447.57B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +11.24% | +11.81% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $5.96B | $12.06B |
| Gross margin | 21.79% | 88.68% |
| Operating margin | 3.35% | 4.24% |
| Net margin | 2.17% | 2.69% |
| 52-week high | $312.18 | $461.62 |
| 52-week low | $239.51 | $255.97 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.98% | -19.64% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +21.80% | +29.86% |
| Average volume | 1.67M | 4.94M |
| Shares outstanding | 264.24M | 897.59M |
| Employees | 65,669 | 390,000 |
| Sector | Health Care | Healthcare |
| Industry | Medical Specialities | Healthcare Plans |
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
- UnitedHealth Group is about 4.5 times larger than Cigna Group by market value ($332.96B vs $74.26B).
- UnitedHealth Group trades at a higher earnings multiple (24.2x vs 11.6x trailing P/E).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Cigna Group in Health Care and UnitedHealth Group in Healthcare.
About Cigna Group
CI stock →The Cigna Group, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and related products and services in the United States. It operates through two segments: Evernorth Health Services and Cigna Healthcare.
Health Care · Medical Specialities · 65,669 employees
About UnitedHealth Group
UNH stock →UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a health care company in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: Optum Health, Optum Insight, Optum Rx; and UnitedHealthcare.
Healthcare · Healthcare Plans · 390,000 employees
CI vs UNH FAQ
Which is bigger, Cigna Group or UnitedHealth Group?
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) is larger, with a market capitalization of $332.96B compared with $74.26B for Cigna Group (CI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CI or UNH?
UNH returned +0.28% over the past 12 months, compared with -8.39% for CI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CI or UNH?
CI has the lower trailing P/E at 11.6, versus 24.2 for UNH. 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, Cigna Group or UnitedHealth Group?
UnitedHealth Group has the higher yield at 2.41%, compared with 2.18% for Cigna Group.
Are Cigna Group and UnitedHealth Group in the same industry?
No. Cigna Group is in the Health Care sector, while UnitedHealth Group is in Healthcare.