WallStSmart

CVS Health Corp (CVS)vsHartford Financial Services Group (HIG)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

CVS Health Corp generates 1289% more annual revenue ($399.83B vs $28.79B). HIG leads profitability with a 14.1% profit margin vs 0.4%. HIG appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.12. HIG earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 77/100 (B+).

CVS

Buy

65

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 7.3Profit: 4.0Value: 7.3Quality: 5.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 2.11

HIG

Strong Buy

77

out of 100

Grade: B+

Growth: 7.3Profit: 7.0Value: 8.3Quality: 8.3
Piotroski: 6/9
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

CVSUndervalued (+77.4%)

Margin of Safety

+77.4%

Fair Value

$340.13

Current Price

$86.86

$253.27 discount

UndervaluedFair: $340.13Overvalued

Intrinsic value data unavailable for HIG.

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

CVS5 strengths · Avg: 9.4/10
PEG RatioValuation
0.2410/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Price/BookValuation
1.5x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
76.6%10/10

Earnings expanding 76.6% YoY

Market CapQuality
$105.21B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Free Cash FlowQuality
$2.61B8/10

Generating 2.6B in free cash flow

HIG6 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
0.1210/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

P/E RatioValuation
9.6x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Return on EquityProfitability
22.7%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 23 in profit

Debt/EquityHealth
0.239/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Price/BookValuation
2.0x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
41.4%8/10

Earnings expanding 41.4% YoY

Areas to Watch

CVS4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Return on EquityProfitability
2.3%3/10

ROE of 2.3% — below average capital efficiency

Profit MarginProfitability
0.4%3/10

0.4% margin — thin

Operating MarginProfitability
1.6%3/10

Operating margin of 1.6%

Debt/EquityHealth
1.243/10

Elevated debt levels

HIG0 concerns · Avg: 0/10

No major concerns identified

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : CVS

The strongest argument for CVS centers on PEG Ratio, Price/Book, EPS Growth. PEG of 0.24 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : HIG

The strongest argument for HIG centers on PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Return on Equity. PEG of 0.12 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : CVS

The primary concerns for CVS are Return on Equity, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. A P/E of 59.1x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 0.4% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Bear Case : HIG

No major red flags identified for HIG, but monitor valuation.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

HIG carries more volatility with a beta of 0.53 — expect wider price swings.

CVS is growing revenue faster at 8.4% — sustainability is the question.

CVS generates stronger free cash flow (2.6B), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor HEALTHCARE PLANS industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

HIG scores higher overall (77/100 vs 65/100). CVS offers better value entry with a 77.4% margin of safety. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

CVS Health Corp

HEALTHCARE · HEALTHCARE PLANS · USA

CVS Health (previously CVS Corporation and CVS Caremark Corporation) is an American healthcare company that owns CVS Pharmacy, a retail pharmacy chain; CVS Caremark, a pharmacy benefits manager; Aetna, a health insurance provider, among many other brands. The company's headquarters is in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.

Visit Website →

Hartford Financial Services Group

FINANCIAL SERVICES · INSURANCE - DIVERSIFIED · USA

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., usually known as The Hartford, is a United States-based investment and insurance company.

Visit Website →

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?