Where Does Cardinal Health Stock Rank Among Competitors?
Cardinal Health’s stock has significantly outperformed over the past year, with a 67% return as of November 13, 2025, but how does it truly measure up against its healthcare distribution and medical tech peers? A closer look reveals strong market returns, yet profitability and free cash flow margins trail some competitors. Furthermore, negative LTM revenue growth and a moderate PE ratio of approximately 31.4 suggest a nuanced outlook for CAH amidst evolving industry dynamics.
- CAH’s 1.0% operating margin, lowest vs. BDX’s 13.8%, highlights distribution’s tight profitability amid intense competition.
- CAH’s -1.9% revenue decline, lagging peers, signals impacts from contract losses (e.g., OptumRx) despite broader market growth.
- CAH’s 66.8% stock surge and 31.4 PE, outperforming peers, reflects strong investor optimism for future strategic execution despite revenue headwinds.
Here’s how Cardinal Health stacks up across size, valuation, and profitability versus key peers.
| CAH | MCK | BDX | HSIC | OMI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Cap ($ Bil) | 49.0 | 104.9 | 55.4 | 8.8 | 0.2 |
| Revenue ($ Bil) | 222.6 | 387.1 | 21.4 | 12.9 | 12.7 |
| PE Ratio | 31.4 | 26.0 | 35.0 | 22.5 | -0.2 |
| LTM Revenue Growth | -1.9% | 17.2% | 7.9% | 3.5% | 92.4% |
| LTM Operating Margin | 1.0% | 1.4% | 13.8% | 5.9% | 2.6% |
| LTM FCF Margin | 0.8% | 1.6% | 11.9% | 2.8% | -2.8% |
| 12M Market Return | 66.8% | 36.1% | -14.8% | 8.3% | -76.1% |
For more details on Cardinal Health, read Buy or Sell CAH Stock. Nevertheless, individual stocks can be volatile and shake you out, but strategic allocation and diversification helps you stay invested. Our Boston-based, wealth management partner’s asset allocation approach is designed exactly for that.
Revenue Growth Comparison
- How To Earn 9.2% Yield While Waiting to Buy LLY 30% Cheaper
- Could Accenture Stock’s Cash Flow Spark the Next Rally?
- Years of Rewards: $35 Bil From Charter Communications Stock
- McDonald’s Stock Capital Return Hits $35 Bil
- Palo Alto Networks Stock at Support Zone – Bargain or Trap?
- Super Micro Computer Stock Pulls Back to Support – Smart Entry?
| LTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAH | -1.9% | -1.9% | 10.7% | 13.0% | |
| MCK | 17.2% | 16.2% | 11.7% | 4.8% | |
| BDX | 7.9% | – | 4.2% | 2.7% | -1.4% |
| HSIC | 3.5% | – | 2.7% | -2.4% | 2.0% |
| OMI | 92.4% | – | 3.6% | 3.8% | 1.7% |
Operating Margin Comparison
| LTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAH | 1.0% | 1.0% | 0.9% | 0.9% | |
| MCK | 1.4% | 1.3% | 1.4% | 1.7% | |
| BDX | 13.8% | – | 14.2% | 12.5% | 13.1% |
| HSIC | 5.9% | – | 5.8% | 5.6% | 6.9% |
| OMI | 2.6% | – | 2.8% | 2.9% | 2.8% |
PE Ratio Comparison
| LTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAH | 31.4 | 18.3 | 29.0 | 60.8 | |
| MCK | 26.0 | 22.0 | 20.5 | 14.9 | |
| BDX | 35.0 | – | 38.6 | 47.0 | 40.7 |
| HSIC | 22.5 | – | 22.5 | 23.8 | 20.2 |
| OMI | -0.2 | – | -2.8 | -35.4 | 65.0 |
While peer comparison is critical, the Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio, with a collection of 30 stocks, has a track record of comfortably outperforming its benchmark that includes all 3 — the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000 indices. Why is that? As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks provided better returns with less risk versus the benchmark index; less of a roller-coaster ride, as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.