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 September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnCAH vs CI

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CAH +304.7% (+15.0%/yr)CI +144.7% (+9.4%/yr)CAH compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020182020202220242026$405$245
CAH CI

CAH vs CI: by the numbers

  • CI is the larger company ($76.15B vs $54.68B market cap).
  • CI trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (11.93 vs 32.29 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • CI converts more revenue to profit (2.27% vs 0.67% net margin).
  • CI grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.11% vs 9.37% CAGR).
  • CI pays the higher dividend yield (2.20% vs 0.87%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCAHCI
P/E ratio32.2911.93
Forward P/E18.619.45
P/S ratio0.220.27
P/B ratioN/A1.79
EV / EBITDA16.758.24
FCF yield8.27%11.97%

Profitability

MetricCAHCI
Gross margin3.84%11.66%
Operating margin1.03%3.46%
Net margin0.67%2.27%
ROEN/A15.05%
ROIC13.45%7.69%

Dividends

MetricCAHCI
Dividend yield0.87%2.20%
Payout ratio28.33%25.62%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCAHCI
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.37%11.11%
EPS CAGR (5Y)28.32%-0.76%
FCF CAGR (5Y)17.40%-1.95%
Total return CAGR (5Y)37.70%8.52%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CAH or CI?
CI has the lower trailing P/E: CAH trades at 32.29 and CI at 11.93. 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 9.37% CAGR versus CI at 11.11%.
Does CAH or CI pay a bigger dividend?
CAH yields 0.87% and CI yields 2.20% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CAH or CI more profitable?
CI runs the higher net margin — CAH at 0.67% versus CI at 2.27%.
How have CAH and CI total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CAH delivered 14.67% and CI delivered 9.29% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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 September 13, 2026.