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Sector:HealthcareAll sectors
Last updated1 minute ago

CAH·Cardinal Health, Inc.

$239.72
+1.64 (+0.69%)
Pre-Market
High
$239.60
Open
$239.60
Market Cap
54.30B
52W High
$258.31
Low
$238.85
P. Close
$239.72
P/E
31.68
52W Low
$151.87
Fwd P/E
17.05
DailyIQ Est.
$276.67
Inst. Ownership
50.3%
Short Interest
3.25%
Days to Cover
3.4
Div. Yield
0.86%
Next Ex-Div
~Jan 1
Div. Growth
38+ yrs
Technical Score (1D)
87
BULLISH
News Sentiment
64
BULLISH
On Oct 13, an RBC analyst reported that Cardinal Health could benefit from RayzeBio’s successful Phase 3 trial of its drug, noting that the positive outcome may strengthen Cardinal Health’s partnership or supply agreements with RayzeBio and could support future revenue growth for the company. On the same day, a Zacks analysis highlighted that Cardinal Health holds a #2 (Buy) rank in the medical sector, that full‑year earnings estimates rose 4.5 % in the last quarter, and that the company’s performance has outpaced many peers, suggesting a favorable outlook for the remainder of the year. Both reports were published on Oct 13 and focused on the potential upside from the RayzeBio trial and the positive analyst sentiment reflected in the Zacks ranking. The RBC analyst emphasized the partnership benefit, while the Zacks report underscored earnings estimate growth and sector performance. No immediate financial guidance was issued by either source.
LOW TARGET
$235 -1.8%
1 analysts
MEAN TARGET
$270 +12.9%
13 analysts
HIGH TARGET
$292 +22.0%
12 analysts
PRICE RANGE
$235.00 - $292.00
SB / B / H / S / SS
8/13/3/1/1
DAILYIQ EST.
$276.67 (+15.6%)
Sector
Healthcare
Industry
Medical Distribution
Exchange
NYQ
Country
United States
Website
cardinalhealth.com
Symbol
CAH
Description
Cardinal Health, Inc. is a global healthcare company specializing in the distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical products, serving a diverse customer base across the healthcare spectrum. The company's core business revolves around two primary segments: Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions, and Global Medical Products and Distribution. Cardinal Health offers a comprehensive suite of services, including the distribution of branded and generic pharmaceuticals, specialty pharmaceuticals, and over-the-counter products, alongside a wide array of medical, surgical, and laboratory supplies. Furthermore, the company provides essential services such as pharmacy management, radiopharmaceutical preparation, and supply chain solutions, solidifying its position as a critical partner for healthcare providers and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Incorporated in 1979 and headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health plays a vital role in the healthcare industry by connecting manufacturers with providers and patients.
Bought (1Y)
0 shares
$0
Sold (1Y)
353,592 shares
$83.3M
Greene Michelle D.Chief Information Officer
Sell686 shares2026-08-18
Greene Michelle D.Chief Information Officer
Sell3,512 shares2026-08-18
Greene Michelle D.Chief Information Officer
Sell4,952 shares2026-08-18
Greene Michelle D.Chief Information Officer
Sell2,500 shares2026-08-18
Mayer Jessica LChief Legal/Compliance Officer
Sell10,864 shares2026-08-18
View full insider trading history →
61/ 100
Neutral / mixed
Overall: Neutral
✓Revenue growing year over year
✓Positive net margin
✓Positive operating cash flow
Gross Margin
3.8%
Net Margin
0.7%
Revenue CAGR
6.1%
Current Ratio
0.88x
Debt / Equity
-2.73x
Return on Equity
-59.5%
View full financials →
Earnings Summary
Cardinal Health, Inc. is a global healthcare company that specializes in the distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical products, operating through its Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions and Global Medical Products and Distribution segments. The company serves a broad customer base that includes hospitals, pharmacies, and health systems, positioning it as a critical partner in the healthcare supply chain. In the medical distribution sector, Cardinal Health competes with peers such as McKesson and Becton Dickinson, and its business model relies heavily on long‑term distribution agreements and scale‑based efficiencies. Recent quarterly performance shows a mixed trajectory. In Q4 2024, the company beat estimates with an EPS of $1.93 versus $1.76 expected, while revenue of $55.26 billion exceeded prior periods. Q1 2025 continued the trend with an EPS of $2.35 beating the $2.15 estimate, but revenue dipped slightly to $54.88 billion. Q2 2025 saw a modest EPS increase to $2.08 against a $2.03 estimate, accompanied by a revenue jump to $60.16 billion, indicating a rebound. Q3 2025 delivered an EPS of $2.55 versus $2.17 expected and revenue of $64.01 billion, marking the highest quarterly earnings to date. In 2026, Q3 revenue fell to $60.94 billion below the $62.29 billion estimate, and Q4 revenue of $63.67 billion was again below the $65.68 billion estimate, though EPS remained near estimates. The company has consistently beat EPS estimates in four of the last five quarters, while revenue has fluctuated around analyst expectations. Historically, Cardinal Health has maintained a steady YoY revenue growth trajectory, with a 5–7% increase in the past three years, while EPS growth has been more volatile, reflecting margin pressures. The company has frequently outperformed earnings estimates, but revenue has occasionally missed analyst forecasts, suggesting that while profitability remains strong, top‑line growth is subject to market dynamics. Recent news highlights a binding Letter of Intent to extend its distribution agreement with CVS Health through June 30, 2032, reinforcing the durability of its core relationships and providing a stable revenue base. The extension underscores the company’s scale‑based model and may mitigate revenue volatility. These factors will be key in assessing Cardinal Health’s continued performance in the medical distribution sector.

EPS

EstBeatMiss
$1.86$2.23$2.60$2.97$3.34Q1'25Q2'25Q3'25Q3'26Q4'26Q1'27
QtrEstActual+/−
Q1'27$2.94 - -
Q4'26$2.88$2.91+1.2%
Q3'26$2.82$3.17+12.5%
Q3'25$2.17$2.55+17.6%
Q2'25$2.03$2.08+2.4%
Q1'25$2.15$2.35+9.4%

Revenue

EstBeatMiss
$53.0B$57.1B$61.1B$65.2B$69.2BQ1'25Q2'25Q3'25Q3'26Q4'26Q1'27
QtrEstActual+/−
Q1'27$67.3B - -
Q4'26$65.7B$63.7B-3.1%
Q3'26$62.3B$60.9B-2.2%
Q3'25 - $64.0B -
Q2'25 - $60.2B -
Q1'25 - $54.9B -
Full Earnings BreakdownEstimates, actuals, guidance, and historical context
→

Market Data

CAH Stock Snapshot

BULLISH87/100
$239.40+$0.51 (0.2%)
Market cap
54.30B
P/E ratio
31.7
Day range
$238.85 – $239.60
News sentiment
64/100 · Bullish
Analyst target
$270.33 (+12.9%)
Consensus
Buy · 26 analysts
52-week range+57.6% off low · -7.3% from high
$151.87$258.31
Price $239.40 DailyIQ Est. $276.67

CAH is trading with the trend behind it, which is what pushes the technical read bullish. In Healthcare, names this size usually take direction from sector flows before company-level news.

Reverse DCF

What growth is priced into CAH?

RICH

At today's price, Cardinal Health, Inc. needs to grow free cash flow about 11.8% a year for the next 10 years to justify its valuation at a 7.37% cost of capital. Over its actual history it has compounded free cash flow at 5.3% a year, so the market is asking for 6.5 percentage points above its own delivered rate. On that basis CAH looks priced above what its own growth record supports.

Implied FCF growth
11.8%
Historical FCF CAGR
5.3%
Growth gap
+6.5 pts
Verdict
RICH
Discount rate (WACC)
7.37%
Beta
0.52

Behaviour On Record

What CAH's own history says about today's numbers

Realized volatility (21d)
22.8% 46th pct
Below its peak
-4.4%
vs 200-day average
+8.5%
Up days (1y)
52%

Cardinal Health, Inc. is currently running 22.8% annualised volatility over the last 21 sessions. Measured against CAH's own 13 years of daily returns rather than a market-wide average, that is the 46th percentile — close to its own typical level, against a typical reading of 23.6%. The distinction matters because a number that looks calm for one stock is turbulent for another, and the absolute figure on its own tells you neither.

CAH is trading -4.4% below its running peak. Across 12 full years on file, its median worst-drawdown-in-a-year was -23.4%, and the deepest was -42.9% in 2018. The current pullback is therefore shallower than what this stock gives back in a typical year, which is context worth having before treating it as a dislocation.

Price sits +8.5% from its 200-day moving average. Against every other day in its history, that gap ranks at the 64th percentile — a somewhat wider gap than its own norm. Over the past year CAH closed higher on 52% of sessions, and it is currently 1 session into a falling streak.

On October specifically: over 13 years of records, CAH finished the month higher 8 of 13 times, with a median return of +4.9% and an average of +2.5%. Its strongest month historically has been November at +5.7% on average, its weakest August at -2.3%. Seasonality is a weak signal on its own — a decade is a small sample and regimes change — but it is a real distribution rather than a rule of thumb.

Overnight risk is measurable too: CAH has opened more than 2% away from the prior close in 107 of 3,266 sessions (3.3% of the time), with the largest gaps running +5.3% and -7.1%. For anyone holding through an event, that rate is a better guide to overnight exposure than the intraday range.

All figures computed from 3,267 daily closes between 2013-10-14 and 2026-10-09, split-adjusted, recomputed daily. Percentiles are against CAH's own 13-year history, not a peer group or index.

Sector Rotation

Is money rotating into or out of CAH's sector?

Cardinal Health, Inc. sits in the Health Care sector, currently ranked 5th of 12 GICS sectors by relative-strength rotation score (improving).

Sector rank
#5 of 12
Sector state
Improving
Sector rotation score
64

Options Market

What is the options market pricing for CAH?

CallsPuts

For Cardinal Health, Inc.'s nearest expiry (2026-12-18, 65 days out), open interest is call-heavy, a bullish tilt (put/call ratio of 0.07).

Put/call ratio (2026-12-18)
0.07
Total open interest
47

Analyst Rating Changes

Are analysts turning bullish or bearish on CAH?

RBC Capital most recently initiated coverage on Cardinal Health, Inc. to Outperform on Aug 19, 2026 with a price target of $276. Over the last 90 days, coverage has run 0 upgrades against 0 downgrades, a net mixed lean.

Latest action
RBC Capital — Outperform
90-day upgrades
0
90-day downgrades
0
Net rating momentum
0
DateFirmActionRatingPrice target
Aug 19, 2026RBC CapitalInitiatedOutperform$276
Aug 13, 2026TD CowenMaintainedBuy$275 → $280
Aug 13, 2026JP MorganMaintainedNeutral$215 → $260
Aug 13, 2026BarclaysMaintainedOverweight$258 → $275
Aug 12, 2026CitigroupMaintainedBuy$265 → $280
Aug 12, 2026Evercore ISI GroupMaintainedOutperform$265 → $270
Aug 12, 2026Morgan StanleyMaintainedOverweight$255 → $265
Aug 12, 2026MizuhoMaintainedOutperform$240 → $250
Aug 12, 2026UBSMaintainedBuy$274 → $280
Aug 12, 2026Wells FargoMaintainedOverweight$245 → $277
Aug 12, 2026BairdMaintainedOutperform$251 → $274
Jul 24, 2026CitigroupMaintainedBuy$245 → $265

Peers & ETF holders

CAH peers & ETF holders

Medical DistributionMarket cap · today

Top ETF holdersWeight

News Sentiment Analysis

Sentiment gathered from recent headlines

64/100
Strong NegativeNeutralStrong Positive
MODERATELY BULLISH

Recent News Coverage

Most recent articles, ranked by recency (click to expand).

10+ articles
What did this article say?
RBC analyst highlighted that Cardinal Health could benefit from RayzeBio’s successful Phase 3 trial of its drug. The positive outcome may enhance Cardinal Health’s partnership or supply agreements with RayzeBio. The analyst suggested this development could support future revenue growth for Cardinal Health. No immediate financial guidance was issued, but the potential upside was noted.
What did this article say?
Cardinal Health (CAH) achieved a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) in October, reflecting a positive shift in analyst sentiment. Over the preceding three months, the consensus full‑year earnings estimate for CAH rose 4.5%, indicating an improving earnings outlook. The company’s year‑to‑date return of 15.9% positioned it well above many peers in the medical sector. These developments suggest a mild tailwind for CAH, though the impact is not material or transformative.
What did this article say?
Zacks analysts identified Cardinal Health (CAH) as a top value candidate based on its strong Zacks Rank and high valuation score. The firm highlighted CAH’s favorable earnings estimates and recent revisions as key drivers of its recommendation. The analysis positioned CAH among the most attractive value stocks in the market, suggesting potential upside for investors seeking undervalued opportunities. No material corporate events or earnings surprises were noted, keeping the outlook neutral. The piece serves as a routine valuation endorsement rather than a catalyst-driven update.
What did this article say?
Cardinal Health entered fiscal 2027 with robust pharmaceutical profit growth and expanding specialty solutions. The company highlighted strong momentum in its largest business, with a 21% increase in pharma segment profit. Earnings beats in the past four quarters, averaging a 14.72% surprise, underscored its performance. While pricing changes, GMPD execution challenges, tariffs, and higher operating costs pose headwinds, the overall outlook remains positive. The market responded with a 13.4% year‑to‑date share rise, outperforming peers and the broader index.
What did this article say?
Cardinal Health closed up 2.11% on October 5, outperforming the S&P 500’s 0.66% rise. The drug distributor’s stock has slipped 7.64% over the past month, lagging the broader medical sector, yet analysts project a 14.51% EPS growth for the upcoming quarter. Consensus estimates forecast revenue of $66.96 billion, up 4.6% YoY, and full‑year earnings of $12.55 per share, a 11.46% increase. The company’s November 5 earnings release is expected to confirm these positive trends, drawing close attention from investors.
What did this article say?
In October 2026, Cardinal Health entered a binding Letter of Intent to extend its distribution agreement with CVS Health through June 30, 2032, keeping the same scope of services. The extension confirms the durability of Cardinal Health’s core distribution relationships and reinforces its scale‑based business model. By securing a long‑dated partnership, the company strengthens its risk profile and signals confidence in sustained revenue streams.
What did this article say?
Zacks Equity Research released an outlook report on the dental‑supply sector on October 2, 2026, noting that Cardinal Health (CAH) is positioned alongside peers such as McKesson, Becton Dickinson, Merit Medical and ProDex. The analysis highlighted sustained demand driven by stable health‑care utilization, expansion of specialty medicines, and adoption of biologics and GLP‑1 therapies. It emphasized the sector’s shift toward outpatient, home‑based and community care, along with increased monetization of AI, automation and digital workflows. The report suggested that these structural trends could support revenue growth for distributors and manufacturers, including CAH, by improving productivity and strengthening customer relationships.
What did this article say?
Cardinal Health announced it would continue its drug distribution partnership with CVS Health through June 2032, extending the agreement that began in 2020. The extension confirms the company’s commitment to the long‑term relationship and supports its projected earnings for fiscal 2027. By securing the contract for another five years, Cardinal Health reduces revenue uncertainty and reinforces its position in the pharmacy‑benefit‑management market.
What did this article say?
Cardinal Health announced a binding Letter of Intent to extend its pharmaceutical distribution agreement with CVS Health through June 30, 2032. The extension confirms the continuation of existing distribution services and solidifies a key revenue stream for the company. The deal underscores Cardinal Health’s ongoing partnership with a major pharmacy‑retailer, providing stability and predictability in its distribution business.

Technical Analysis

Real-time indicators across multiple timeframes

87
BULLISH
Momentum rank against about 1,000 stocks and ETFs for this timeframe.
Unlock full technicals
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Institutional & Hedge Fund Ownership
25 tracked managers · $25.72B combined position · 15 adding, 10 trimming, 0 unchanged (latest 13F filings)
ManagerTrendShares Held% of Co.Position ValueFiled
Vanguard Group Inc▲ Buy31,441,25813.86%$6.46B2026-01-29
BlackRock, Inc.▼ Sell26,490,63311.68%$6.29B2026-08-07
Wellington Management Group LLP▲ Buy14,860,2716.55%$3.53B2026-08-14
Geode Capital Management, LLC▼ Sell6,472,8102.85%$1.53B2026-08-12
Invesco Ltd.▲ Buy4,742,5762.09%$1.13B2026-08-14
Morgan Stanley▼ Sell4,625,3292.04%$1.10B2026-08-13
Norges Bank▼ Sell3,726,4221.64%$885.25M2026-08-12
Bank of America Corp▲ Buy2,900,5961.28%$689.07M2026-08-14
Northern Trust Corp▲ Buy2,868,9031.26%$681.54M2026-08-13
JPMorgan Chase & Co▲ Buy2,668,7491.18%$630.41M2026-08-12
Goldman Sachs Group Inc▲ Buy2,385,0331.05%$566.59M2026-08-14
FMR LLC (Fidelity)▼ Sell2,066,2480.91%$490.86M2026-08-13
AQR Capital Management LLC▲ Buy1,732,8080.76%$411.65M2026-08-14
Man Group plc▼ Sell934,5560.41%$222.01M2026-08-14
Wells Fargo & Company▲ Buy924,8680.41%$219.71M2026-08-14
Janus Henderson Group plc▲ Buy735,4670.32%$155.39M2026-05-18
D. E. Shaw & Co., Inc.▲ Buy550,2610.24%$130.72M2026-08-14
Renaissance Technologies LLC▲ Buy550,1000.24%$130.68M2026-08-13
Citigroup Inc▲ Buy434,1810.19%$103.14M2026-08-03
Prudential Financial Inc▼ Sell291,3920.13%$69.22M2026-08-12
Millennium Management LLC▼ Sell254,7340.11%$60.51M2026-08-14
Gotham Asset Management, LLC▲ Buy251,4940.11%$59.74M2026-08-14
Adage Capital Partners GP, L.L.C.▲ Buy235,8920.10%$56.04M2026-08-14
AllianceBernstein L.P.▼ Sell265,0080.12%$56.00M2026-08-14
Marshall Wace, LLP▼ Sell235,3050.10%$55.90M2026-08-13
Q2 2026 flow:13.19M sh bought ($3.13B)5.87M sh sold ($1.39B)net +7.32M sh (+$1.74B)
View full institutional holdings history →
Congressional Trading Activity
7 disclosed trades · ~$56.0K est. traded value · 7 buys, 0 sells
MemberChamberStateTypeAmountTradedFiled
Alan ArmstrongSenateOK▲ Buy$1K - $15K2026-03-272026-07-21
Marjorie Taylor GreeneHouseGA14▲ Buy$1K - $15K2025-10-242025-10-28
Marjorie Taylor GreeneHouseGA14▲ Buy$1K - $15K2025-05-142025-05-19
Marjorie Taylor GreeneHouseGA14▲ Buy$1K - $15K2025-05-052025-05-06
Rob BresnahanHousePA08▲ Buy$1K - $15K2025-04-082025-05-08
Marjorie Taylor GreeneHouseGA14▲ Buy$1K - $15K2025-03-172025-03-19
Marjorie Taylor GreeneHouseGA14▲ Buy$1K - $15K2025-01-212025-01-27
View full congressional trading history →

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