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).

Compare

Total return — CAH vs DAL

growth of $100 · last 19y
CAH +218.2%DAL +270.5%DAL compounded faster
0100200300Start $1002011201520192023$318$371
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 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueDAL(lower P/E)
GrowthDAL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityCAH(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCAHDAL
P/E ratio34.6212.13
Forward P/E18.8615.17
P/S ratio0.210.83
P/B ratio2.66
PEG ratio0.300.21
EV / EBITDA19.306.95
FCF yield8.22%7.24%

Profitability

MetricCAHDAL
Gross margin3.68%26.19%
Operating margin0.92%8.83%
Net margin0.62%6.87%
ROE-56.13%21.97%
ROIC11.37%8.30%

Dividends

MetricCAHDAL
Dividend yield0.90%0.90%
Payout ratio31.52%9.72%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCAHDAL
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.

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.