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).

Compare

Total return — CAH vs CI

growth of $100 · last 30y
CAH +932.3%CI +2236.0%CI compounded faster
01k2k3kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,032$2,336
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 11

It 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

MetricCAHCI
P/E ratio34.6212.46
Forward P/E18.868.79
P/S ratio0.210.28
P/B ratio1.84
PEG ratio0.300.15
EV / EBITDA19.308.32
FCF yield8.22%9.86%

Profitability

MetricCAHCI
Gross margin3.68%9.30%
Operating margin0.92%3.42%
Net margin0.62%2.26%
ROE-56.13%14.90%
ROIC11.37%7.35%

Dividends

MetricCAHCI
Dividend yield0.90%2.09%
Payout ratio31.52%27.53%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCAHCI
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.

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.