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).
Total return — CAH vs CNC
growth of $100 · last 24yCAH +244.5%CNC +4448.1%CNC compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
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 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
GrowthCNC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityCAH(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CAH | CNC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 34.23 | — |
| Forward P/E | 18.64 | 14.49● |
| P/S ratio | 0.21 | 0.16● |
| P/B ratio | — | 1.51 |
| PEG ratio | 0.30 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.10 | — |
| FCF yield | 8.31% | 19.65%● |
Profitability
| Metric | CAH | CNC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 3.68% | 14.93%● |
| Operating margin | 0.92%● | -3.68% |
| Net margin | 0.62%● | -3.25% |
| ROE | -56.13% | -30.07%● |
| ROIC | 11.37%● | -13.41% |
Dividends
| Metric | CAH | CNC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.91% | — |
| Payout ratio | 31.52% | — |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CAH | CNC |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cardinal Health P/E ratioCentene P/E ratioCardinal Health dividend yieldCentene dividend yieldCardinal Health ROECentene ROECardinal Health operating marginCentene operating marginCardinal Health revenue growthCentene revenue growthCardinal Health free cash flowCentene free cash flow
Cardinal Health & Centene 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 15, 2026.