Agilent Technologies, Inc. (A) vs Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH)
CAH leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics, though A is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Agilent Technologies, Inc. and Cardinal Health, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — A vs CAH
growth of $100 · last 27yA +350.8%CAH +571.6%CAH compounded faster
A CAH
A vs CAH: by the numbers
- •CAH is the larger company ($52.43B vs $36.67B market cap).
- •A trades at the lower earnings multiple (26.07 vs 34.23 P/E).
- •A converts more revenue to profit (19.55% vs 0.62% net margin).
- •CAH grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.86% vs 4.45% CAGR).
- •CAH pays the higher dividend yield (0.91% vs 0.58%).
Which is better, A or CAH?
Metric tally: A 7 · CAH 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueA(lower P/E)
GrowthCAH(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCAH(higher dividend yield)
QualityA(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | A | CAH |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 26.07● | 34.23 |
| Forward P/E | 19.69 | 18.64● |
| P/S ratio | 5.10 | 0.21● |
| P/B ratio | 5.18 | — |
| PEG ratio | 9.41 | 0.30● |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.58 | 19.10● |
| FCF yield | 3.41% | 8.31%● |
Profitability
| Metric | A | CAH |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 53.00%● | 3.68% |
| Operating margin | 21.50%● | 0.92% |
| Net margin | 19.55%● | 0.62% |
| ROE | 19.85%● | -56.13% |
| ROIC | 12.57%● | 11.37% |
Dividends
| Metric | A | CAH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.58% | 0.91%● |
| Payout ratio | 16.36% | 31.52% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | A | CAH |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.45% | 9.86%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 14.52%● | 6.11% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 0.05% | 22.47%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -1.34% | 33.46%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, A or CAH?
- It depends on your goal. value: A (lower P/E); growth: CAH (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CAH (higher dividend yield); quality: A (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CAH leads 9 to 7.
- Is A or CAH cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, A is cheaper: A trades at a 26.07 P/E and CAH at 34.23.
- Which has grown faster, A or CAH?
- Over the past five years, CAH grew revenue faster — A at a 4.45% CAGR versus CAH at 9.86%.
- Does A or CAH pay a bigger dividend?
- A yields 0.58% and CAH yields 0.91% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is A or CAH more profitable?
- A runs the higher net margin — A at 19.55% versus CAH at 0.62%.
- Which has been the better investment, A or CAH?
- Over the past 10-year, CAH delivered the higher annualized total return — A at 11.94% versus CAH at 14.21%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Agilent Technologies P/E ratioCardinal Health P/E ratioAgilent Technologies dividend yieldCardinal Health dividend yieldAgilent Technologies ROECardinal Health ROEAgilent Technologies operating marginCardinal Health operating marginAgilent Technologies revenue growthCardinal Health revenue growthAgilent Technologies free cash flowCardinal Health free cash flow
Agilent Technologies & Cardinal Health appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 15, 2026.