Quest Diagnostics (DGX) vs UnitedHealth Group (UNH)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.
Summary
Quest Diagnostics (DGX) has outperformed UnitedHealth Group (UNH) over the past year, gaining 27.3% versus a gain of 3.2%. Over five years, DGX leads with a +62.1% price change compared with -11.4% for UNH. UnitedHealth Group is the larger company by market cap ($340.46 billion vs $25.49 billion), about 13.4 times the size.
On valuation, UnitedHealth Group trades at a lower forward P/E (16.8x vs 19.2x for Quest Diagnostics). UnitedHealth Group offers the higher dividend yield (2.36% vs 1.44%). Quest Diagnostics converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.0% versus 2.7%.
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 | DGX | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $230.97 | $379.30 |
| Market cap | $25.49B | $340.46B |
| 1-day change | +0.07% | +2.25% |
| YTD return | +33.10% | +14.90% |
| 1-year return | +27.30% | +3.16% |
| 5-year return | +62.08% | -11.39% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 24.52 | 23.86 |
| Forward P/E | 19.19 | 16.78 |
| EPS (TTM) | $9.42 | $15.90 |
| Dividend yield | 1.44% | 2.36% |
| Annual dividend | $3.32 | $8.95 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $11.04B | $447.57B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +11.78% | +11.81% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $992.00M | $12.06B |
| Gross margin | 33.21% | 88.68% |
| Operating margin | 14.10% | 4.24% |
| Net margin | 8.99% | 2.69% |
| 52-week high | $248.84 | $461.62 |
| 52-week low | $171.18 | $255.97 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -7.18% | -17.83% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +7.40% | +27.00% |
| Average volume | 1.05M | 4.95M |
| Shares outstanding | 110.37M | 897.59M |
| Employees | 46,000 | 390,000 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Medical Specialities | Medical Specialities |
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 13.4 times larger than Quest Diagnostics by market value ($340.46B vs $25.49B).
- DGX has outperformed UNH by 24.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Quest Diagnostics is more profitable, keeping 9.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 2.7 cents for UnitedHealth Group.
About Quest Diagnostics
DGX stock →Quest Diagnostics Incorporated provides diagnostic testing and services in the United States. The company develops and delivers diagnostic information services, such as routine, non-routine and advanced clinical testing, anatomic pathology testing, and other diagnostic information services.
Health Care · Medical Specialities · 46,000 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.
Health Care · Medical Specialities · 390,000 employees
DGX vs UNH FAQ
Which is bigger, Quest Diagnostics or UnitedHealth Group?
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) is larger, with a market capitalization of $340.46B compared with $25.49B for Quest Diagnostics (DGX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, DGX or UNH?
DGX returned +27.30% over the past 12 months, compared with +3.16% for UNH (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, DGX or UNH?
UNH has the lower trailing P/E at 23.9, versus 24.5 for DGX. 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, Quest Diagnostics or UnitedHealth Group?
UnitedHealth Group has the higher yield at 2.36%, compared with 1.44% for Quest Diagnostics.
Are Quest Diagnostics and UnitedHealth Group in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Medical Specialities industry within the Health Care sector.