CVS Health vs Eli Lilly (CVS vs LLY)
CVS Health (CVS) vs Eli Lilly (LLY) 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 Eli Lilly (LLY) compete in healthcare and pharma. Here are CVS Health and Eli Lilly 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 Eli Lilly.
CVS Health vs Eli Lilly: the figures
| Figure | CVS Health | Eli Lilly |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $79.96 (November 4, 2026) | $1,417.99 (November 4, 2026) |
| Market cap | $102.3 billion | $1.26 trillion |
| P/E (TTM) | 21.0x | 46.0x |
| Forward P/E | 9.4x | 28.3x |
| Revenue growth (quarter) | +7.1% | +38.6% |
| Net margin (TTM) | 1.2% | 31.9% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 3.7x | 1.0x |
| Dividend yield | 2.91% | 0.49% |
| Beta | 0.58 | 0.39 |
CVS Health and Eli Lilly figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that CVS Health or Eli Lilly figure is not available, and we never estimate it.
3 key differences between CVS Health and Eli Lilly
- Profitability: for every 100 of sales, Eli Lilly keeps 31.9 as net profit and CVS Health keeps 1.2.
- Valuation: Eli Lilly trades at 46.0x its annual earnings and CVS Health at 21.0x; the market pays more for each dollar of Eli Lilly profit, usually because it expects more growth.
- Growth: Eli Lilly grew sales +38.6% year on year in its latest quarter, against +7.1% for CVS Health.
CVS Health or Eli Lilly: which fits your profile
- If you want growth: Eli Lilly 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: Eli Lilly 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 Eli Lilly 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 Eli Lilly 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.
Eli Lilly (LLY)
Eli Lilly sells prescription medicines. Its largest revenue source is tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for obesity, followed by Verzenio for breast cancer, Jardiance and Trulicity for diabetes, Taltz for immunology and Kisunla for Alzheimer's disease. The United States is its biggest market. Full Eli Lilly analysis.
Frequently asked questions: CVS Health vs Eli Lilly
Is CVS Health or Eli Lilly the better stock?
Choosing between CVS Health and Eli Lilly depends on what you are looking for. Eli Lilly 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 Eli Lilly: it shows you the differences so you can decide.
Which pays a higher dividend, CVS Health or Eli Lilly?
As of November 4, 2026, CVS Health yields 2.91% and Eli Lilly yields 0.49%. Also check how much of their profit CVS Health and Eli Lilly pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.
Which is more expensive, CVS Health or Eli Lilly?
On P/E, Eli Lilly (46.0x) 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 Eli Lilly?
Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as CVS Health and Eli Lilly, 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 Eli Lilly.
More comparisons with CVS Health or Eli Lilly
More companies like CVS Health and Eli Lilly: healthcare and pharma stocks. Educational content about CVS Health and Eli Lilly, not investment advice.