Ensign Group (ENSG) vs Universal Health Services (UHS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Ensign Group (ENSG) has outperformed Universal Health Services (UHS) over the past year, losing 2.8% versus a loss of 14.4%. Over five years, ENSG leads with a +135.4% price change compared with +32.1% for UHS. Universal Health Services is the larger company by market cap ($10.36 billion vs $9.99 billion), about 1.0 times the size, while Ensign Group is growing revenue faster (+18.7% vs +9.7%).
On valuation, Universal Health Services trades at a lower forward P/E (7.3x vs 20.0x for Ensign Group). Universal Health Services offers the higher dividend yield (0.46% vs 0.15%). Universal Health Services converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 8.6% 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 | ENSG | UHS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $171.49 | $175.72 |
| Market cap | $9.99B | $10.36B |
| 1-day change | +1.34% | +0.63% |
| YTD return | -1.56% | -19.40% |
| 1-year return | -2.76% | -14.37% |
| 5-year return | +135.43% | +32.10% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 26.88 | 7.17 |
| Forward P/E | 20.04 | 7.33 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.38 | $24.52 |
| Dividend yield | 0.15% | 0.46% |
| Annual dividend | $0.258 | $0.80 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $5.06B | $17.36B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +18.72% | +9.71% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $343.97M | $1.49B |
| Gross margin | 20.54% | — |
| Operating margin | 8.41% | 11.48% |
| Net margin | 6.80% | 8.57% |
| 52-week high | $218.00 | $246.33 |
| 52-week low | $141.58 | $140.08 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -21.33% | -28.66% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +28.29% | +10.94% |
| Average volume | 375.95K | 789.88K |
| Shares outstanding | 58.28M | 51.69M |
| Employees | 46,000 | 102,000 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Hospital/Nursing Management | 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
- ENSG has outperformed UHS by 11.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Ensign Group trades at a higher earnings multiple (26.9x vs 7.2x trailing P/E).
- Ensign Group grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+18.72% vs +9.71%).
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
About Universal Health Services
UHS stock →Universal Health Services, Inc., through its subsidiaries, owns and operates acute care hospitals, and outpatient and behavioral health care facilities in the United States. It operates through Acute Care Hospital Services and Behavioral Health Care Services segments.
Health Care · Hospital/Nursing Management · 102,000 employees
ENSG vs UHS FAQ
Which is bigger, Ensign Group or Universal Health Services?
Universal Health Services (UHS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $10.36B compared with $9.99B for Ensign Group (ENSG).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ENSG or UHS?
ENSG returned -2.76% over the past 12 months, compared with -14.37% for UHS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ENSG or UHS?
UHS has the lower trailing P/E at 7.2, 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, Ensign Group or Universal Health Services?
Universal Health Services has the higher yield at 0.46%, compared with 0.15% for Ensign Group.
Are Ensign Group and Universal Health Services in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Hospital/Nursing Management industry within the Health Care sector.