Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) vs Cigna Corporation (CI)
CI leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Cardinal Health, Inc. and Cigna Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 16, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — CAH vs CI
growth of $100 · last 30yCAH +932.3%CI +2236.0%CI compounded faster
CAH CI
CAH vs CI: by the numbers
- •CI is the larger company ($77.02B vs $53.55B market cap).
- •CI trades at the lower earnings multiple (12.46 vs 34.62 P/E).
- •CI converts more revenue to profit (2.26% vs 0.62% net margin).
- •CI grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.28% vs 9.86% CAGR).
- •CI pays the higher dividend yield (2.09% vs 0.90%).
Which is better, CAH or CI?
Metric tally: CAH 5 · CI 11It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueCI(lower P/E)
GrowthCI(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCI(higher dividend yield)
QualityCAH(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CAH | CI |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 34.62 | 12.46● |
| Forward P/E | 18.86 | 8.79● |
| P/S ratio | 0.21● | 0.28 |
| P/B ratio | — | 1.84 |
| PEG ratio | 0.30 | 0.15● |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.30 | 8.32● |
| FCF yield | 8.22% | 9.86%● |
Profitability
| Metric | CAH | CI |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 3.68% | 9.30%● |
| Operating margin | 0.92% | 3.42%● |
| Net margin | 0.62% | 2.26%● |
| ROE | -56.13% | 14.90%● |
| ROIC | 11.37%● | 7.35% |
Dividends
| Metric | CAH | CI |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.90% | 2.09%● |
| Payout ratio | 31.52% | 27.53% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CAH | CI |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.86% | 11.28%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 6.11%● | -0.76% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 22.47%● | -2.03% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 34.89%● | 6.13% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CAH or CI?
- It depends on your goal. value: CI (lower P/E); growth: CI (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CI (higher dividend yield); quality: CAH (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CI leads 11 to 5.
- Is CAH or CI cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, CI is cheaper: CAH trades at a 34.62 P/E and CI at 12.46.
- Which has grown faster, CAH or CI?
- Over the past five years, CI grew revenue faster — CAH at a 9.86% CAGR versus CI at 11.28%.
- Does CAH or CI pay a bigger dividend?
- CAH yields 0.90% and CI yields 2.09% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CAH or CI more profitable?
- CI runs the higher net margin — CAH at 0.62% versus CI at 2.26%.
- Which has been the better investment, CAH or CI?
- Over the past 10-year, CAH delivered the higher annualized total return — CAH at 14.76% versus CI at 9.61%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cardinal Health P/E ratioCigna P/E ratioCardinal Health dividend yieldCigna dividend yieldCardinal Health ROECigna ROECardinal Health operating marginCigna operating marginCardinal Health revenue growthCigna revenue growthCardinal Health free cash flowCigna free cash flow
Cardinal Health & Cigna 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 16, 2026.