Unilever plc vs UnitedHealth Group Inc — how do they compare? Unilever plc trades at $61.73 (market cap $134.06B), while UnitedHealth Group Inc trades at $405.12 (market cap $361.00B). The key difference: UnitedHealth Group Inc is far larger — about 2.7× Unilever plc's market cap, and Unilever plc pays the higher dividend (3.65%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| UL | UNH | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $134.06B | $361.00B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Health |
52-Week High | $74.59 | $436.35 |
52-Week Low | $55.05 | $259.02 |
Enterprise Value | $159.86B | $402.86B |
Dividend Yield | 3.65% | 2.31% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Unilever (UL) trades at $61.75, down 1.77% on the day, with a bearish technical signal. The stock shows strong profitability with a net income margin of 18.75% and ROE of 53.32%, but recent quarters have seen EPS misses against expectations. A major development is the planned $65 billion merger with McCormick's food business, expected to close in 2027, which could reshape growth prospects.
Outlook is mixed: robust cash flow and dividend yield near 1.75% support income investors, but execution risks on the McCormick deal and volatile earnings pose challenges. Analysts are divided, with 51% hold ratings, reflecting uncertainty amid strategic shifts. The stock appeals for its defensive staples exposure but requires monitoring of integration progress.
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
Unilever is a diversified personal product (42% of 2021 sales by value), home care (20%), and packaged food (38%) company. Its brands include Knorr soups and sauces, Hellmann's mayonnaise, Lipton teas, Axe and Dove skin products, and the TRESemme haircare brand. The firm has been acquisitive in recent years
Read more on UL →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 →