Labcorp (LH) 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
Labcorp (LH) has outperformed UnitedHealth Group (UNH) over the past year, gaining 12.4% versus a gain of 3.2%. Over five years, LH leads with a +34.7% price change compared with -11.4% for UNH. UnitedHealth Group is the larger company by market cap ($340.46 billion vs $25.32 billion), about 13.4 times the size.
On valuation, Labcorp trades at a lower forward P/E (15.8x vs 16.8x for UnitedHealth Group). UnitedHealth Group offers the higher dividend yield (2.36% vs 0.92%). Labcorp converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 6.3% 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 | LH | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $312.15 | $379.30 |
| Market cap | $25.32B | $340.46B |
| 1-day change | -0.65% | +2.25% |
| YTD return | +24.42% | +14.90% |
| 1-year return | +12.37% | +3.16% |
| 5-year return | +34.66% | -11.39% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 25.82 | 23.86 |
| Forward P/E | 15.78 | 16.78 |
| EPS (TTM) | $12.09 | $15.90 |
| Dividend yield | 0.92% | 2.36% |
| Annual dividend | $2.88 | $8.95 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $13.95B | $447.57B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +7.25% | +11.81% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $876.50M | $12.06B |
| Gross margin | 28.76% | 88.68% |
| Operating margin | 9.92% | 4.24% |
| Net margin | 6.28% | 2.69% |
| 52-week high | $341.80 | $461.62 |
| 52-week low | $244.52 | $255.97 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -8.67% | -17.83% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +10.26% | +27.00% |
| Average volume | 742.58K | 4.94M |
| Shares outstanding | 81.10M | 897.59M |
| Employees | 71,000 | 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 Labcorp by market value ($340.46B vs $25.32B).
- UnitedHealth Group offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.36% vs 0.92%).
About Labcorp
LH stock →Labcorp Holdings Inc. provides laboratory services.
Health Care · Medical Specialities · 71,000 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
LH vs UNH FAQ
Which is bigger, Labcorp or UnitedHealth Group?
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) is larger, with a market capitalization of $340.46B compared with $25.32B for Labcorp (LH).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, LH or UNH?
LH returned +12.37% 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, LH or UNH?
UNH has the lower trailing P/E at 23.9, versus 25.8 for LH. 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, Labcorp or UnitedHealth Group?
UnitedHealth Group has the higher yield at 2.36%, compared with 0.92% for Labcorp.
Are Labcorp and UnitedHealth Group in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Medical Specialities industry within the Health Care sector.