Cencora (COR) 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
McKesson (MCK) has outperformed Cencora (COR) over the past year, gaining 21.4% versus a gain of 2.8%. Over five years, MCK leads with a +345.9% price change compared with +164.7% for COR. McKesson is the larger company by market cap ($106.14 billion vs $60.54 billion), about 1.8 times the size.
On valuation, Cencora trades at a lower forward P/E (16.0x vs 18.0x for McKesson). Cencora offers the higher dividend yield (0.74% vs 0.36%). McKesson converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 1.2% versus 0.5%.
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 | COR | MCK |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $317.25 | $910.33 |
| Market cap | $60.54B | $106.14B |
| 1-day change | +0.28% | -1.23% |
| YTD return | -6.07% | +10.98% |
| 1-year return | +2.77% | +21.36% |
| 5-year return | +164.68% | +345.87% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 23.55 | 24.24 |
| Forward P/E | 16.02 | 18.04 |
| EPS (TTM) | $13.47 | $37.56 |
| Dividend yield | 0.74% | 0.36% |
| Annual dividend | $2.35 | $3.28 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $321.33B | $403.43B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +9.31% | +12.36% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.55B | $4.76B |
| Gross margin | 3.57% | 3.61% |
| Operating margin | 0.82% | 1.54% |
| Net margin | 0.48% | 1.18% |
| 52-week high | $377.54 | $999.00 |
| 52-week low | $244.82 | $723.68 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -15.97% | -8.88% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +16.39% | +7.36% |
| Average volume | 1.34M | 924.58K |
| Shares outstanding | 190.83M | 116.59M |
| Employees | 47,000 | 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
- MCK has outperformed COR by 18.6 percentage points over the past year.
About Cencora
COR stock →Cencora, Inc. sources and distributes pharmaceutical products in the United States and internationally.
Health Care · Other Pharmaceuticals · 47,000 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
COR vs MCK FAQ
Which is bigger, Cencora or McKesson?
McKesson (MCK) is larger, with a market capitalization of $106.14B compared with $60.54B for Cencora (COR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, COR or MCK?
MCK returned +21.36% over the past 12 months, compared with +2.77% for COR (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, COR or MCK?
COR has the lower trailing P/E at 23.6, versus 24.2 for MCK. 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, Cencora or McKesson?
Cencora has the higher yield at 0.74%, compared with 0.36% for McKesson.
Are Cencora and McKesson in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Other Pharmaceuticals industry within the Health Care sector.