Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) vs Centene Corporation (CNC)

CNC leads on 7 of 12 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Cardinal Health, Inc. and Centene Corporation 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).

Compare

Total return — CAH vs CNC

growth of $100 · last 24y
CAH +244.5%CNC +4448.1%CNC compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020062011201620212026$344$4,548
CAH CNC

CAH vs CNC: by the numbers

  • CAH is the larger company ($52.43B vs $32.19B market cap).
  • CAH is profitable (0.62% net margin) while CNC runs a net loss (-3.25%).
  • CNC grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.48% vs 9.86% CAGR).
  • CAH pays a dividend (0.91% yield) while CNC does not currently pay one.

Which is better, CAH or CNC?

Metric tally: CAH 5 · CNC 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthCNC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityCAH(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCAHCNC
P/E ratio34.23
Forward P/E18.6414.49
P/S ratio0.210.16
P/B ratio1.51
PEG ratio0.30
EV / EBITDA19.10
FCF yield8.31%19.65%

Profitability

MetricCAHCNC
Gross margin3.68%14.93%
Operating margin0.92%-3.68%
Net margin0.62%-3.25%
ROE-56.13%-30.07%
ROIC11.37%-13.41%

Dividends

MetricCAHCNC
Dividend yield0.91%
Payout ratio31.52%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCAHCNC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.86%11.48%
EPS CAGR (5Y)6.11%14.68%
FCF CAGR (5Y)22.47%5.28%
Total return CAGR (5Y)33.46%-1.64%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CAH or CNC?
It depends on your goal. growth: CNC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: CAH (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CNC leads 7 to 5.
Which has grown faster, CAH or CNC?
Over the past five years, CNC grew revenue faster — CAH at a 9.86% CAGR versus CNC at 11.48%.
Does CAH or CNC pay a bigger dividend?
CAH pays a dividend (0.91% yield) while CNC does not currently pay one.
Is CAH or CNC more profitable?
CAH runs the higher net margin — CAH at 0.62% versus CNC at -3.25%.
Which has been the better investment, CAH or CNC?
Over the past 10-year, CAH delivered the higher annualized total return — CAH at 14.21% versus CNC at 6.74%. 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 15, 2026.