AFLAC Incorporated vs UnitedHealth Group Inc — how do they compare? AFLAC Incorporated trades at $120.6 (market cap $60.70B), while UnitedHealth Group Inc trades at $405.34 (market cap $361.00B). The key difference: UnitedHealth Group Inc is far larger — about 5.9× AFLAC Incorporated's market cap, and UnitedHealth Group Inc pays the higher dividend (2.31%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AFL | UNH | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $60.70B | $361.00B |
Sector | Financials | Health |
52-Week High | $129.55 | $436.35 |
52-Week Low | $103.55 | $259.02 |
Enterprise Value | $70.65B | $402.86B |
Dividend Yield | 2.02% | 2.31% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AFL trades at $120.98, down 0.79% on the day, with a P/E of 13.06 and net income margin of 26.59%. Recent earnings missed estimates for three consecutive quarters, with Q3 2026 results pending. Technical indicators show a bullish overall signal despite bearish moving averages and oscillators. The company maintains a strong dividend history, with recent payouts of $0.61 per share.
Outlook remains mixed; solid profitability and dividend growth support income investors, but earnings misses and revenue declines pose near-term risks. Analyst consensus is cautious with a hold-heavy rating and price target of $118, slightly below current levels. Key catalysts include U.S. sales momentum and Japan unit performance, while currency headwinds and medical cost inflation are concerns.
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) trades at $408.74, showing modest daily gains of 0.41% amid a bearish technical signal. The company demonstrates strong fundamental performance with consistent earnings beats in recent quarters and robust analyst support (82.7% buy ratings). Recent developments include dividend payments and strategic initiatives to streamline pediatric care authorizations, positioning UNH well in the healthcare sector.
UNH presents a compelling investment case with strong cash flow generation and market leadership, though investors face risks from regulatory scrutiny and margin compression. The stock trades at a discount to analyst consensus target of $476.50, offering potential upside if operational improvements and growth initiatives materialize as projected.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Aflac Inc offers supplemental health insurance and life insurance in the two largest insurance markets in the world, the U.S. and Japan. In addition to its cancer policies, the company has broadened its product offerings to include accidents, disability, and long-term-care insurance. It markets its products through independent distributors, selling most of its policies directly to consumers at their places of work.
Read more on AFL →UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest private health insurers, providing medical benefits to 50 million members globally, including 5 million outside the U.S. at the end of 2021. As a leader in employer-sponsored, self-directed, and government-backed insurance plans, UnitedHealth has obtained massive scale in managed care. Along with its insurance assets, UnitedHealth's continued investments in its Optum franchises have created a healthcare services colossus that spans everything from medical and pharmaceutical benefits to providing outpatient care and analytics to both affiliated and third-party customers.
Read more on UNH →