Cardinal Health (CAH) vs McKesson (MCK)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Cardinal Health (CAH) has outperformed McKesson (MCK) over the past year, gaining 48.2% versus a gain of 21.4%. Over five years, CAH leads with a +378.3% price change compared with +345.9% for MCK. McKesson is the larger company by market cap ($106.74 billion vs $53.65 billion), about 2.0 times the size, while Cardinal Health is growing revenue faster (+14.2% vs +12.4%).
On valuation, Cardinal Health trades at a lower forward P/E (16.5x vs 18.1x for McKesson). Cardinal Health offers the higher dividend yield (0.88% vs 0.36%). McKesson converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 1.2% versus 0.7%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CAH | MCK |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $231.71 | $915.55 |
| Market cap | $53.65B | $106.74B |
| 1-day change | -0.19% | +0.57% |
| YTD return | +12.97% | +10.98% |
| 1-year return | +48.20% | +21.36% |
| 5-year return | +378.29% | +345.87% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 32.05 | 24.54 |
| Forward P/E | 16.48 | 18.14 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.23 | $37.31 |
| Dividend yield | 0.88% | 0.36% |
| Annual dividend | $2.05 | $3.28 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $254.25B | $403.43B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +14.23% | +12.36% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.71B | $4.76B |
| Gross margin | 3.84% | 3.61% |
| Operating margin | 1.03% | 1.54% |
| Net margin | 0.67% | 1.18% |
| 52-week high | $258.30 | $999.00 |
| 52-week low | $151.87 | $723.68 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -10.29% | -8.35% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +16.67% | +6.75% |
| Average volume | 1.91M | 922.54K |
| Shares outstanding | 231.56M | 116.59M |
| Employees | 58,788 | 41,600 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Other Pharmaceuticals | Other Pharmaceuticals |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- CAH has outperformed MCK by 26.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Cardinal Health trades at a higher earnings multiple (32.0x vs 24.5x trailing P/E).
About Cardinal Health
CAH stock →Cardinal Health, Inc. operates as a healthcare services and products company in the United States and internationally.
Health Care · Other Pharmaceuticals · 58,788 employees
About McKesson
MCK stock →McKesson Corporation provides healthcare services in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: North American Pharmaceutical, Oncology & Multispecialty, Prescription Technology Solutions, and Medical-Surgical Solutions.
Health Care · Other Pharmaceuticals · 41,600 employees
CAH vs MCK FAQ
Which is bigger, Cardinal Health or McKesson?
McKesson (MCK) is larger, with a market capitalization of $106.74B compared with $53.65B for Cardinal Health (CAH).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CAH or MCK?
CAH returned +48.20% over the past 12 months, compared with +21.36% for MCK (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CAH or MCK?
MCK has the lower trailing P/E at 24.5, versus 32.0 for CAH. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Cardinal Health or McKesson?
Cardinal Health has the higher yield at 0.88%, compared with 0.36% for McKesson.
Are Cardinal Health and McKesson in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Other Pharmaceuticals industry within the Health Care sector.