Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) vs Elevance Health Inc. (ELV)
ELV leads on 9 of 15 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Cardinal Health, Inc. and Elevance Health 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 ELV
growth of $100 · last 25yCAH +228.2%ELV +1875.9%ELV compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
CAH ELV
CAH vs ELV: by the numbers
- •ELV is the larger company ($87.75B vs $52.43B market cap).
- •ELV trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.19 vs 34.23 P/E).
- •ELV converts more revenue to profit (2.62% vs 0.62% net margin).
- •ELV grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.97% vs 9.86% CAGR).
- •ELV pays the higher dividend yield (1.70% vs 0.91%).
Which is better, CAH or ELV?
Metric tally: CAH 6 · ELV 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueELV(lower P/E)
IncomeELV(higher dividend yield)
QualityCAH(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CAH | ELV |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 34.23 | 17.19● |
| Forward P/E | 18.64 | 13.82● |
| P/S ratio | 0.21● | 0.44 |
| P/B ratio | — | 2.03 |
| PEG ratio | 0.30● | 2.58 |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.10 | 12.48● |
| FCF yield | 8.31%● | 7.24% |
Profitability
| Metric | CAH | ELV |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 3.68% | 23.16%● |
| Operating margin | 0.92% | 3.81%● |
| Net margin | 0.62% | 2.62%● |
| ROE | -56.13% | 11.94%● |
| ROIC | 11.37%● | 6.65% |
Dividends
| Metric | CAH | ELV |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.91% | 1.70%● |
| Payout ratio | 31.52% | 27.24% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CAH | ELV |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.86% | 9.97% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 6.11% | 6.67%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 22.47%● | -7.76% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 33.46%● | 2.50% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CAH or ELV?
- It depends on your goal. value: ELV (lower P/E); income: ELV (higher dividend yield); quality: CAH (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ELV leads 9 to 6.
- Is CAH or ELV cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, ELV is cheaper: CAH trades at a 34.23 P/E and ELV at 17.19.
- Which has grown faster, CAH or ELV?
- Over the past five years, ELV grew revenue faster — CAH at a 9.86% CAGR versus ELV at 9.97%.
- Does CAH or ELV pay a bigger dividend?
- CAH yields 0.91% and ELV yields 1.70% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CAH or ELV more profitable?
- ELV runs the higher net margin — CAH at 0.62% versus ELV at 2.62%.
- Which has been the better investment, CAH or ELV?
- Over the past 10-year, CAH delivered the higher annualized total return — CAH at 14.21% versus ELV at 13.43%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cardinal Health P/E ratioElevance Health P/E ratioCardinal Health dividend yieldElevance Health dividend yieldCardinal Health ROEElevance Health ROECardinal Health operating marginElevance Health operating marginCardinal Health revenue growthElevance Health revenue growthCardinal Health free cash flowElevance Health free cash flow
Cardinal Health & Elevance Health 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.