WallStSmart

CVS Health Corp (CVS)vsHumana Inc (HUM)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

CVS Health Corp generates 208% more annual revenue ($399.83B vs $129.66B). HUM leads profitability with a 92.0% profit margin vs 44.0%. CVS appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.21. CVS earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 65/100 (C+).

CVS

Buy

65

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 7.3Profit: 5.5Value: 4.7Quality: 6.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 2.11

HUM

Buy

58

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 5.3Profit: 5.5Value: 7.3Quality: 8.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.37
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

CVSSignificantly Overvalued (-18.4%)

Margin of Safety

-18.4%

Fair Value

$65.05

Current Price

$71.48

$6.43 premium

UndervaluedFair: $65.05Overvalued
HUMSignificantly Overvalued (-156.9%)

Margin of Safety

-156.9%

Fair Value

$68.27

Current Price

$169.90

$101.63 premium

UndervaluedFair: $68.27Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

CVS6 strengths · Avg: 9.5/10
PEG RatioValuation
0.2110/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Price/BookValuation
1.2x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Profit MarginProfitability
44.0%10/10

Keeps 44 of every $100 in revenue as profit

EPS GrowthGrowth
76.6%10/10

Earnings expanding 76.6% YoY

Market CapQuality
$90.94B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Free Cash FlowQuality
$2.61B8/10

Generating 2.6B in free cash flow

HUM5 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Price/BookValuation
1.2x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Profit MarginProfitability
92.0%10/10

Keeps 92 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.3710/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

PEG RatioValuation
0.978/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

P/E RatioValuation
16.9x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Areas to Watch

CVS4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
Return on EquityProfitability
2.3%3/10

ROE of 2.3% — below average capital efficiency

Operating MarginProfitability
1.6%3/10

Operating margin of 1.6%

Debt/EquityHealth
1.243/10

Elevated debt levels

P/E RatioValuation
51.4x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

HUM4 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
Return on EquityProfitability
7.0%3/10

ROE of 7.0% — below average capital efficiency

EPS GrowthGrowth
-59.3%2/10

Earnings declined 59.3%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-1.85B2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Operating MarginProfitability
-1.8%1/10

Operating margin of -1.8%

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : CVS

The strongest argument for CVS centers on PEG Ratio, Price/Book, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 44.0% and operating margin at 1.6%. PEG of 0.21 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : HUM

The strongest argument for HUM centers on Price/Book, Profit Margin, Altman Z-Score. Profitability is solid with margins at 92.0% and operating margin at -1.8%. Revenue growth of 11.3% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : CVS

The primary concerns for CVS are Return on Equity, Operating Margin, Debt/Equity. A P/E of 51.4x leaves little room for execution misses.

Bear Case : HUM

The primary concerns for HUM are Return on Equity, EPS Growth, Free Cash Flow.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

CVS carries more volatility with a beta of 0.46 — expect wider price swings.

HUM is growing revenue faster at 11.3% — sustainability is the question.

CVS generates stronger free cash flow (2.6B), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor HEALTHCARE PLANS industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

CVS scores higher overall (65/100 vs 58/100), backed by strong 44.0% margins. Both earn "Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

CVS Health Corp

HEALTHCARE · HEALTHCARE PLANS · USA

CVS Health (previously CVS Corporation and CVS Caremark Corporation) is an American healthcare company that owns CVS Pharmacy, a retail pharmacy chain; CVS Caremark, a pharmacy benefits manager; Aetna, a health insurance provider, among many other brands. The company's headquarters is in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.

Visit Website →

Humana Inc

HEALTHCARE · HEALTHCARE PLANS · USA

Humana Inc. is a for-profit American health insurance company based in Louisville, Kentucky.

Visit Website →

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?