SafetyMargin.ioSafetyMargin.io
BlogWatchlistCompare
Compare Stocks › DECK vs UNH

Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK) vs UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH): Which Is the Better Buy in 2026?

As of 2026-09-17, DECK is undervalued at $78, with a DCF intrinsic value of $200 and a margin of safety of 61%. UNH is fairly valued at $380, with an intrinsic value of $389 and a margin of safety of 2%. Of the two, DECK has the wider margin of safety.

DECK
Deckers Outdoor Corporation
$78.48
VS
UNH
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
$379.54

Rewards

DECK
  • ★Deckers Outdoor Corporation has maintained ROIC above 15% for 4 consecutive years, indicating a durable competitive advantage.
  • ★Deckers Outdoor Corporation scores 93/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with roic consistency as the strongest competitive dimension.
  • ★Free cash flow has grown at a 34.0% CAGR over the past 4 years, demonstrating strong earnings power growth.
UNH
  • ★UnitedHealth Group Incorporated scores 73/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with revenue predictability as the strongest competitive dimension.

Risks

DECK
    UNH
    • ⚠ROIC has declined by 6.9 percentage points over the past 4 years, which may signal competitive erosion.
    • ⚠Gross margin of 19.7% is low, suggesting a competitive or commodity-like market with limited pricing power.
    • ⚠FCF yield of 7.1% suggests reasonable valuation assuming continued moderate growth.

    Key Valuation Metrics

    Learn more →
    DECK
    UNH
    Valuation
    $871.42M
    Free Cash Flow
    $24.27B
    8.15%
    FCF Yield
    7.12%
    11.16
    Trailing P/E
    24.38
    9.43
    Forward P/E
    16.83
    Quality & Moat
    23.98%
    ROIC
    14.16%
    42.56%
    ROE
    14.15%
    57.80%
    Gross Margin
    19.72%
    0.99
    PEG Ratio
    1.04
    Balance Sheet Safety
    Net cash
    Net Debt / Equity
    0.40
    N/A
    Interest Coverage
    N/A
    -0.85
    Net Debt / EBITDA
    1.57
    0.00%
    Dividend Yield
    2.47%
    DECK: 8Ties: 2UNH: 2
    DECKUNH

    Historical Fundamentals

    Learn more →
    DECK

    Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation. The dashed forward point is the forward P/E — today's price ÷ analyst consensus EPS.

    UNH

    Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation. The dashed forward point is the forward P/E — today's price ÷ analyst consensus EPS.

    Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation. The dashed forward point is the forward P/E — today's price ÷ analyst consensus EPS.

    $1 Retained Earnings Test

    Learn more →
    DECK
    $-2.37
    created per $1 retained over 3 years
    Market Cap Declined
    Σ Retained
    $2.75B
    Δ Market Cap
    $-6.51B
    Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
    > $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
    UNH
    $-7.37
    created per $1 retained over 3 years
    Market Cap Declined
    Σ Retained
    $26.63B
    Δ Market Cap
    $-196.16B
    Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
    > $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

    Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
    > $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

    Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis

    Learn more →
    DECK
    60.8% Margin of Safety
    Price is 60.8% below estimated fair value
    Current Price: $78.48
    Fair Value: $200.26
    Strongly undervalued
    Undervalued
    Fairly valued
    Overvalued
    Strongly overvalued
    UNH
    2.5% Margin of Safety
    Price is 2.5% below estimated fair value
    Current Price: $379.54
    Fair Value: $389.12
    Strongly undervalued
    Undervalued
    Fairly valued
    Overvalued
    Strongly overvalued

    Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth

    Learn more →
    DECK

    What growth rate is the market pricing in at $78?

    -2.8%
    Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
    Standard FCF implies -0.6%

    The market implies -2.8% Owner Earnings growth, below historical trends — potential opportunity.

    Standard FCF implies a more demanding -0.6%, reflecting heavy growth investment expected to generate future returns.

    UNH

    What growth rate is the market pricing in at $380?

    +13.2%
    Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
    Standard FCF implies +4.5%

    The market implies +13.2% Owner Earnings growth, above historical trends.

    Standard FCF implies a demanding +4.5%, reflecting heavy growth investment.

    Economic Moat Score

    Learn more →
    DECK
    93/100
    Wide Moat
    70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

    Wide moat with strength across all dimensions. ROIC Consistency is the standout factor.

    Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 5 years of fundamental data.
    UNH
    73/100
    Wide Moat
    70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

    Wide moat driven primarily by revenue predictability. Margin Stability is the area most vulnerable to competitive pressure.

    Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.

    Forensic Accounting

    Learn more →
    DECK
    -2.77
    Unlikely Manipulator
    Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

    M-Score Trend

    Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
    UNH
    -2.45
    Unlikely Manipulator
    Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

    M-Score Trend

    Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

    Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

    Ownership Breakdown

    Learn more →
    DECK
    Insiders 0.7%Institutions 101.4%
    No. of Institutional Holders1,315
    High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
    UNH
    Insiders 0.2%Institutions 89.7%Retail & Other 10.1%
    No. of Institutional Holders4,387
    High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

    High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

    Insider Buying Activity

    Learn more →
    DECK
    0
    Buys (3M)
    0
    Buys (12M)
    DAVIS CINDY L
    Director
    $200,319
    @ $109.76 · 2025-06-06
    Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
    UNH
    0
    Buys (3M)
    0
    Buys (12M)
    REX JOHN F
    President
    $5.00M
    @ $291.12 · 2025-05-16
    HEMSLEY STEPHEN J
    Chief Executive Officer
    $25.02M
    @ $288.57 · 2025-05-16
    GIL KRISTEN
    Director
    $1.00M
    @ $271.17 · 2025-05-15
    NOSEWORTHY JOHN H
    Director
    $93,647
    @ $312.16 · 2025-05-14
    FLYNN TIMOTHY PATRICK
    Director
    $491,786
    @ $320.80 · 2025-05-14
    Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises

    Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.

    Insider Selling Activity

    Learn more →
    DECK
    0
    Sells (3M)
    4
    Sells (12M)
    Total value (12M): $1.17M
    SHANAHAN LAURI M.
    Director
    $537,681
    @ $114.84 · 2026-02-13
    SPANGENBERG ANNE
    Officer
    $471,389
    @ $116.02 · 2026-02-13
    SPRING-GREEN ROBIN
    Officer
    $39,482
    @ $113.78 · 2026-02-13
    OGBECHIE ANGELA
    Officer
    $118,910
    @ $81.45 · 2025-10-31
    IBRAHIM MAHA SALEH
    Director
    $35,405
    @ $118.02 · 2025-09-08
    IBRAHIM MAHA SALEH
    Director
    $32,723
    @ $109.08 · 2025-06-06
    OGBECHIE ANGELA
    Officer
    $648,675
    @ $103.89 · 2025-06-02
    IBRAHIM MAHA SALEH
    Director
    $40,344
    @ $134.48 · 2025-03-06
    POWERS DAVID A
    Director
    $3.47M
    @ $138.84 · 2025-02-28
    STEFANO CAROTI
    Chief Executive Officer
    $2.97M
    @ $208.34 · 2024-12-11
    IBRAHIM MAHA SALEH
    Director
    $60,239
    @ $200.80 · 2024-12-06
    STEWART BONITA C
    Director
    $838,935
    @ $186.43 · 2024-11-22
    SPANGENBERG ANNE
    Officer
    $723,721
    @ $186.43 · 2024-11-22
    ELLERKER MARCO
    Officer
    $992,858
    @ $175.20 · 2024-11-20
    GARCIA THOMAS
    Officer
    $3.16M
    @ $175.28 · 2024-11-19
    STEFANO CAROTI
    Chief Executive Officer
    $2.64M
    @ $175.73 · 2024-11-19
    STEWART BONITA C
    Director
    $1.58M
    @ $175.42 · 2024-11-08
    FASCHING STEVEN J
    Chief Financial Officer
    $1.54M
    @ $175.00 · 2024-11-08
    OGBECHIE ANGELA
    Officer
    $208,617
    @ $163.24 · 2024-10-31
    FASCHING STEVEN J
    Chief Financial Officer
    $1.53M
    @ $166.67 · 2024-10-04
    Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
    UNH
    2
    Sells (3M)
    3
    Sells (12M)
    Total value (12M): $944,910
    CONWAY PATRICK HUGH
    Officer
    $455,910
    @ $390.00 · 2026-08-21
    CONWAY PATRICK HUGH
    Officer
    $205,000
    @ $410.00 · 2026-08-05
    CONWAY PATRICK HUGH
    Officer
    $284,000
    @ $355.00 · 2026-04-23
    CONWAY PATRICK HUGH
    Chief Executive Officer
    $179,645
    @ $305.00 · 2025-06-10
    Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives

    Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives.

    🎭 Mr. Market's Mood

    Learn more →
    DECK
    FearGreed
    😨Fear(27/100)

    "Market is pessimistic — investigate whether fears are temporary or structural"

    Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
    UNH
    FearGreed
    😐Neutral(51/100)

    "Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"

    Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

    Composite sentiment score based on market signals. Inspired by Buffett’s "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

    ⚖️ Buffett Signal

    Learn more →
    DECK
    ⚪Awaiting DCF Data

    The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

    DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Fear (27)
    UNH
    ⚪Awaiting DCF Data

    The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

    DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (51)
    View DECK Full AnalysisView UNH Full Analysis

    Frequently Asked Questions: DECK vs UNH

    Is Deckers Outdoor Corporation or UnitedHealth Group Incorporated more undervalued in 2026?▼

    Based on our discounted cash flow model, DECK trades at a 60.8% margin of safety (intrinsic value $200 vs. price $78), compared to UNH's 2.5% margin of safety (intrinsic $389 vs. $380).

    Which stock has a wider economic moat, Deckers Outdoor Corporation or UnitedHealth Group Incorporated?▼

    DECK scores 93/100 (Wide moat), while UNH scores 73/100 (Wide moat). The moat score measures competitive advantage durability across ROIC consistency, margin stability, revenue predictability, and reinvestment efficiency.

    Is UnitedHealth Group Incorporated in financial distress?▼

    UNH's Altman Z-Score of 2.9 places it in the Grey zone, signaling elevated bankruptcy risk. DECK scores 9.7 (Safe zone). The Altman Z-Score is a five-factor model that predicts insolvency within two years; scores below 1.81 indicate significant distress.

    Which company has better free cash flow, Deckers Outdoor Corporation or UnitedHealth Group Incorporated?▼

    Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK) generates a 8.2% free cash flow yield, compared to UnitedHealth Group Incorporated's 7.1%. A higher FCF yield means the business converts more of its market value into cash that can be returned to shareholders or reinvested.

    Which stock has higher return on invested capital, Deckers Outdoor Corporation or UnitedHealth Group Incorporated?▼

    DECK earns 24.0% ROIC versus UNH's 14.2%. A higher ROIC means the company generates more profit per dollar of capital employed, a hallmark of durable competitive advantage in Buffett-style analysis.