Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) vs Humana Inc. (HUM)

CAH leads on 8 of 14 compared metrics.

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 June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — CAH vs HUM

growth of $100 · last 30y
CAH +910.6%HUM +1935.5%HUM compounded faster
01k2k3kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,011$2,036
CAH HUM

CAH vs HUM: by the numbers

  • CAH is the larger company ($52.43B vs $45.53B market cap).
  • CAH trades at the lower earnings multiple (34.23 vs 40.56 P/E).
  • HUM converts more revenue to profit (0.82% vs 0.62% net margin).
  • HUM grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.71% vs 9.86% CAGR).
  • HUM pays the higher dividend yield (0.93% vs 0.91%).

Which is better, CAH or HUM?

Metric tally: CAH 8 · HUM 6

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCAH(lower P/E)
GrowthHUM(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeHUM(higher dividend yield)
QualityCAH(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCAHHUM
P/E ratio34.2340.56
Forward P/E18.6423.94
P/S ratio0.210.33
P/B ratio2.46
PEG ratio0.30
EV / EBITDA19.1019.22
FCF yield8.31%2.78%

Profitability

MetricCAHHUM
Gross margin3.68%14.01%
Operating margin0.92%1.01%
Net margin0.62%0.82%
ROE-56.13%6.08%
ROIC11.37%3.12%

Dividends

MetricCAHHUM
Dividend yield0.91%0.93%
Payout ratio31.52%35.87%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCAHHUM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.86%11.71%
EPS CAGR (5Y)6.11%-17.27%
FCF CAGR (5Y)22.47%-17.19%
Total return CAGR (5Y)33.46%-1.01%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CAH or HUM?
It depends on your goal. value: CAH (lower P/E); growth: HUM (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: HUM (higher dividend yield); quality: CAH (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CAH leads 8 to 6.
Is CAH or HUM cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CAH is cheaper: CAH trades at a 34.23 P/E and HUM at 40.56.
Which has grown faster, CAH or HUM?
Over the past five years, HUM grew revenue faster — CAH at a 9.86% CAGR versus HUM at 11.71%.
Does CAH or HUM pay a bigger dividend?
CAH yields 0.91% and HUM yields 0.93% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CAH or HUM more profitable?
HUM runs the higher net margin — CAH at 0.62% versus HUM at 0.82%.
Which has been the better investment, CAH or HUM?
Over the past 10-year, CAH delivered the higher annualized total return — CAH at 14.21% versus HUM at 8.24%. 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.