Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) vs Humana Inc. (HUM)
A side-by-side comparison of Cardinal Health, Inc. and Humana Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 10, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CAH
Cardinal Health, Inc.
$234.57HealthcareDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
HUM
Humana Inc.
$409.85HealthcareDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CAH vs HUM
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCAH +307.2% (+15.1%/yr)HUM +147.2% (+9.5%/yr)CAH compounded faster over this window
CAH HUM
CAH vs HUM: by the numbers
- •CAH is the larger company ($54.94B vs $49.21B market cap).
- •CAH trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (32.44 vs 38.81 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •HUM converts more revenue to profit (0.88% vs 0.67% net margin).
- •HUM grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.61% vs 9.37% CAGR).
- •HUM pays the higher dividend yield (0.88% vs 0.87%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CAH | HUM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 32.44 | 38.81 |
| Forward P/E | 18.70 | 44.77 |
| P/S ratio | 0.22 | 0.34 |
| P/B ratio | N/A | 2.56 |
| EV / EBITDA | 16.82 | 20.40 |
| FCF yield | 8.24% | N/A |
Profitability
| Metric | CAH | HUM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 3.84% | 13.65% |
| Operating margin | 1.03% | 1.39% |
| Net margin | 0.67% | 0.88% |
| ROE | N/A | 6.65% |
| ROIC | 13.45% | 4.52% |
Dividends
| Metric | CAH | HUM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.87% | 0.88% |
| Payout ratio | 28.33% | 33.52% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CAH | HUM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.37% | 12.61% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 28.32% | -17.27% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 17.40% | -17.19% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 37.89% | 0.94% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CAH or HUM?
- CAH has the lower trailing P/E: CAH trades at 32.44 and HUM at 38.81. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CAH or HUM?
- Over the past five years, HUM grew revenue faster — CAH at a 9.37% CAGR versus HUM at 12.61%.
- Does CAH or HUM pay a bigger dividend?
- CAH yields 0.87% and HUM yields 0.88% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CAH or HUM more profitable?
- HUM runs the higher net margin — CAH at 0.67% versus HUM at 0.88%.
- How have CAH and HUM total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CAH delivered 14.74% and HUM delivered 9.46% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cardinal Health P/E ratioHumana P/E ratioCardinal Health dividend yieldHumana dividend yieldCardinal Health ROEHumana ROECardinal Health operating marginHumana operating marginCardinal Health revenue growthHumana revenue growthCardinal Health free cash flowHumana free cash flow
Cardinal Health & Humana 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 September 10, 2026.