CVS vs UNH: which was the better investment?
CVS Health Corporation against UnitedHealth Group Incorporated on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Oct 17, 1984 to Oct 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did CVS beat UNH?
No — measured from Oct 17, 1984 to Oct 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, UNH came out ahead: $37,142,205 versus $528,003 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 21.6% annual return against 9.9%.
What would $10,000 in CVS be worth today?
$10,000 invested in CVS Health Corporation (CVS) on Oct 17, 1984 would be worth about $528,003 as of Oct 15, 2026, a total return of 5180.0% (9.9% per year). The same $10,000 in UNH would be worth $37,142,205.
Which was riskier — CVS or UNH?
CVS swung with an annualized volatility of 29.2% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -64.1%; UNH ran at 39.7% volatility with a -82.7% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.27 for CVS vs 0.49 for UNH.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Oct 17, 1984 through Oct 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with CVS vs UNH. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.