Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) vs Cigna Corporation (CI)
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 August 1, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CAH
Cardinal Health, Inc.
$230.03HealthcareAt close: Jul 31, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
CI
Cigna Corporation
$279.05HealthcareDelayed quote: Jul 31, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CAH vs CI
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCAH +1662.8%CI +3002.4%CI compounded faster
CAH CI
CAH vs CI: by the numbers
- •CI is the larger company ($73.82B vs $53.87B market cap).
- •CI trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (11.91 vs 35.17 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •CI converts more revenue to profit (2.27% vs 0.62% net margin).
- •CI grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.11% vs 9.86% CAGR).
- •CI pays the higher dividend yield (2.13% vs 0.89%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CAH | CI |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 35.17 | 11.91 |
| Forward P/E | 21.35 | 9.45 |
| P/S ratio | 0.22 | 0.27 |
| P/B ratio | N/A | 1.78 |
| PEG ratio | 0.30 | 0.15 |
| EV / EBITDA | 18.71 | 8.69 |
| FCF yield | 8.09% | 12.00% |
Profitability
| Metric | CAH | CI |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 3.68% | 6.36% |
| Operating margin | 0.92% | 3.46% |
| Net margin | 0.62% | 2.27% |
| ROE | -56.13% | 15.05% |
| ROIC | 11.37% | 7.35% |
Dividends
| Metric | CAH | CI |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.89% | 2.13% |
| Payout ratio | 31.60% | 27.53% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CAH | CI |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.86% | 11.11% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 6.11% | -0.76% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 22.47% | -1.95% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 33.99% | 6.11% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CAH or CI?
- CI has the lower trailing P/E: CAH trades at 35.17 and CI at 11.91. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- 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 11.11%.
- Does CAH or CI pay a bigger dividend?
- CAH yields 0.89% and CI yields 2.13% 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 2.27%.
- How have CAH and CI total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CAH delivered 13.77% and CI delivered 9.22% annualized total return. 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 August 1, 2026.