Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) vs Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL)
DAL leads on 10 of 15 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Cardinal Health, Inc. and Delta Air Lines, Inc. 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 DAL
growth of $100 · last 19yCAH +218.2%DAL +270.5%DAL compounded faster
CAH DAL
CAH vs DAL: by the numbers
- •DAL is the larger company ($55.48B vs $53.02B market cap).
- •DAL trades at the lower earnings multiple (12.13 vs 34.62 P/E).
- •DAL converts more revenue to profit (6.87% vs 0.62% net margin).
- •DAL grew revenue faster over the past five years (38.80% vs 9.86% CAGR).
- •DAL pays the higher dividend yield (0.90% vs 0.90%).
Which is better, CAH or DAL?
Metric tally: CAH 5 · DAL 10It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueDAL(lower P/E)
GrowthDAL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityCAH(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CAH | DAL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 34.62 | 12.13● |
| Forward P/E | 18.86 | 15.17● |
| P/S ratio | 0.21● | 0.83 |
| P/B ratio | — | 2.66 |
| PEG ratio | 0.30 | 0.21● |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.30 | 6.95● |
| FCF yield | 8.22%● | 7.24% |
Profitability
| Metric | CAH | DAL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 3.68% | 26.19%● |
| Operating margin | 0.92% | 8.83%● |
| Net margin | 0.62% | 6.87%● |
| ROE | -56.13% | 21.97%● |
| ROIC | 11.37%● | 8.30% |
Dividends
| Metric | CAH | DAL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.90% | 0.90% |
| Payout ratio | 31.52% | 9.72% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CAH | DAL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.86% | 38.80%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 6.11%● | 0.89% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 22.47% | 115.85%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 34.26%● | 13.90% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CAH or DAL?
- It depends on your goal. value: DAL (lower P/E); growth: DAL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: CAH (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DAL leads 10 to 5.
- Is CAH or DAL cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, DAL is cheaper: CAH trades at a 34.62 P/E and DAL at 12.13.
- Which has grown faster, CAH or DAL?
- Over the past five years, DAL grew revenue faster — CAH at a 9.86% CAGR versus DAL at 38.80%.
- Does CAH or DAL pay a bigger dividend?
- CAH yields 0.90% and DAL yields 0.90% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CAH or DAL more profitable?
- DAL runs the higher net margin — CAH at 0.62% versus DAL at 6.87%.
- Which has been the better investment, CAH or DAL?
- Over the past 10-year, CAH delivered the higher annualized total return — CAH at 14.62% versus DAL at 9.39%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cardinal Health P/E ratioDelta Air Lines P/E ratioCardinal Health dividend yieldDelta Air Lines dividend yieldCardinal Health ROEDelta Air Lines ROECardinal Health operating marginDelta Air Lines operating marginCardinal Health revenue growthDelta Air Lines revenue growthCardinal Health free cash flowDelta Air Lines free cash flow
Cardinal Health & Delta Air Lines 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.