CVS Health vs Danaher (CVS vs DHR)
CVS Health (CVS) vs Danaher (DHR) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.
CVS Health (CVS) and Danaher (DHR) compete in healthcare and pharma. Here are CVS Health and Danaher side by side with their real figures as of November 4, 2026: what sets them apart, which fits each kind of investor and the most common questions, without telling you whether to buy CVS Health or Danaher.
CVS Health vs Danaher: the figures
| Figure | CVS Health | Danaher |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $79.96 (November 4, 2026) | $234.93 (November 4, 2026) |
| Market cap | $102.3 billion | $165.2 billion |
| P/E (TTM) | 21.0x | 38.9x |
| Forward P/E | 9.4x | 25.2x |
| Revenue growth (quarter) | +7.1% | +8.3% |
| Net margin (TTM) | 1.2% | 16.9% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 3.7x | 2.7x |
| Dividend yield | 2.91% | 0.70% |
| Beta | 0.58 | 0.80 |
CVS Health and Danaher figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that CVS Health or Danaher figure is not available, and we never estimate it.
3 key differences between CVS Health and Danaher
- Valuation: Danaher trades at 38.9x its annual earnings and CVS Health at 21.0x; the market pays more for each dollar of Danaher profit, usually because it expects more growth.
- Profitability: for every 100 of sales, Danaher keeps 16.9 as net profit and CVS Health keeps 1.2.
- Dividend: CVS Health yields 2.91% at today's price and Danaher yields 0.70%.
CVS Health or Danaher: which fits your profile
- If you want growth: Danaher is growing faster today, so it fits better with investors who put business growth first, usually accepting a higher P/E and a bumpier ride.
- If you want income (dividends): CVS Health pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
- If you prefer caution: Danaher has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
- If price is what matters most to you: CVS Health trades on the lower P/E; check first whether that is an opportunity or a sign of a business that grows less.
Neither CVS Health nor Danaher wins on everything, and owning both is also an option: spreading money across several companies or an index fund reduces what rides on each one.
How CVS Health and Danaher make money
CVS Health (CVS)
CVS Health reports three segments. Health Services, its largest by revenue, includes the CVS Caremark pharmacy benefit manager and clinics such as Oak Street Health. Health Care Benefits is Aetna health insurance, including Medicare plans. Pharmacy & Consumer Wellness runs CVS Pharmacy stores selling prescriptions and everyday goods across the U.S. Full CVS Health analysis.
Danaher (DHR)
Danaher sells instruments, reagents and consumables to labs, hospitals and drugmakers. Diagnostics, its largest segment, includes Beckman Coulter Diagnostics, Cepheid, Radiometer and Leica Biosystems. Biotechnology, built around Cytiva, supplies tools for making biologic drugs, and Life Sciences includes SCIEX, Leica Microsystems and IDT. Full Danaher analysis.
Frequently asked questions: CVS Health vs Danaher
Is CVS Health or Danaher the better stock?
Choosing between CVS Health and Danaher depends on what you are looking for. Danaher is growing faster right now, and CVS Health trades on the lower P/E. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy CVS Health or Danaher: it shows you the differences so you can decide.
Which pays a higher dividend, CVS Health or Danaher?
As of November 4, 2026, CVS Health yields 2.91% and Danaher yields 0.70%. Also check how much of their profit CVS Health and Danaher pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.
Which is more expensive, CVS Health or Danaher?
On P/E, Danaher (38.9x) is more expensive than CVS Health (21.0x) as of November 4, 2026. A higher P/E can be justified if earnings grow faster, so compare it with each company's growth in the table.
Can I own both CVS Health and Danaher?
Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as CVS Health and Danaher, or use index funds so they do not depend on just one. If you are starting out, decide how much you want to invest and for how long before buying CVS Health or Danaher.
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More companies like CVS Health and Danaher: healthcare and pharma stocks. Educational content about CVS Health and Danaher, not investment advice.