UnitedHealth Group Inc vs Waste Management, Inc. — how do they compare? UnitedHealth Group Inc trades at $379.3 (market cap $332.96B), while Waste Management, Inc. trades at $208.83 (market cap $83.98B). The key difference: UnitedHealth Group Inc is far larger — about 4× Waste Management, Inc.'s market cap, and UnitedHealth Group Inc pays the higher dividend (2.5%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold UnitedHealth Group Inc for 97 Days and Waste Management, Inc. for 130 Days on average.
| UNH | WM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $332.96B | $83.98B |
Volume | 7,273,749 | 2,182,180 |
Sector | Health | Industrials |
52-Week High | $436.35 | $246.51 |
52-Week Low | $259.02 | $196.77 |
Typical Hold Time | 97 Days | 130 Days |
Enterprise Value | $374.82B | $106.78B |
Dividend Yield | 2.5% | 1.8% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) trades at $370.95, down 1.34% on the day, amid a bearish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings, beating estimates with EPS of $6.38 versus $4.91 expected, and raised full-year guidance. Revenue for 2025 reached $447.57 billion, though net income margin declined to 2.69%. Analyst consensus remains strongly bullish with an 82.69% buy rating and a $470.11 price target, suggesting significant upside from current levels.
UNH presents a compelling investment case driven by earnings beats, raised 2026 outlook, and strategic initiatives like AI investment in Optum. Key risks include regulatory pressures in healthcare, volatility from Medicare Advantage plan changes, and margin compression. The stock's valuation at a P/E of 23.84 appears reasonable given growth prospects, but investors should weigh execution risks against the positive analyst sentiment and institutional backing.
WM trades at $210.10, up 0.56% today, with a bullish technical signal despite mixed moving average indicators. The company reported revenue of $25.20 billion in 2025 and maintains strong profitability with an 11.12% net income margin. Recent earnings show two beats and one miss, with Q3 2026 results expected soon. Analyst sentiment is positive with 54% buy ratings and no sell recommendations.
Outlook remains favorable due to consistent cash flow growth and strategic acquisitions, though elevated debt levels and competitive pressures pose risks. The stock offers a reliable dividend, with the next payment scheduled for September 2026. Investors should monitor Q3 earnings for confirmation of growth trajectory amid economic uncertainties.
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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 →Waste Management ranks as the largest integrated provider of traditional solid waste services in the United States, operating approximately 260 active landfills and about 340 transfer stations. The company serves residential, commercial, and industrial end markets and is also a leading recycler in North America.
Read more on WM →