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).
Total return — CAH vs HUM
growth of $100 · last 30yCAH +910.6%HUM +1935.5%HUM compounded faster
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 6It 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
| Metric | CAH | HUM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 34.23● | 40.56 |
| Forward P/E | 18.64● | 23.94 |
| P/S ratio | 0.21● | 0.33 |
| P/B ratio | — | 2.46 |
| PEG ratio | 0.30 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.10 | 19.22 |
| FCF yield | 8.31%● | 2.78% |
Profitability
| Metric | CAH | HUM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 3.68% | 14.01%● |
| Operating margin | 0.92% | 1.01%● |
| Net margin | 0.62% | 0.82%● |
| ROE | -56.13% | 6.08%● |
| ROIC | 11.37%● | 3.12% |
Dividends
| Metric | CAH | HUM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.91% | 0.93%● |
| Payout ratio | 31.52% | 35.87% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CAH | HUM |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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 June 15, 2026.