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).

Compare

Total return — CAH vs ELV

growth of $100 · last 25y
CAH +228.2%ELV +1875.9%ELV compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020062011201620212026$328$1,976
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 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueELV(lower P/E)
IncomeELV(higher dividend yield)
QualityCAH(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCAHELV
P/E ratio34.2317.19
Forward P/E18.6413.82
P/S ratio0.210.44
P/B ratio2.03
PEG ratio0.302.58
EV / EBITDA19.1012.48
FCF yield8.31%7.24%

Profitability

MetricCAHELV
Gross margin3.68%23.16%
Operating margin0.92%3.81%
Net margin0.62%2.62%
ROE-56.13%11.94%
ROIC11.37%6.65%

Dividends

MetricCAHELV
Dividend yield0.91%1.70%
Payout ratio31.52%27.24%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCAHELV
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.

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.