Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) vs IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (IDXX)
CAH leads on 9 of 15 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Cardinal Health, Inc. and IDEXX Laboratories, 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).
CAH
Cardinal Health, Inc.
$223.85Healthcare
IDXX
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
$560.88Healthcare
Total return — CAH vs IDXX
growth of $100 · last 30yCAH +910.6%IDXX +10042.5%IDXX compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
CAH IDXX
CAH vs IDXX: by the numbers
- •CAH is the larger company ($52.43B vs $44.24B market cap).
- •CAH trades at the lower earnings multiple (34.23 vs 41.36 P/E).
- •IDXX converts more revenue to profit (24.63% vs 0.62% net margin).
- •CAH grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.86% vs 9.24% CAGR).
- •CAH pays a dividend (0.91% yield) while IDXX does not currently pay one.
Which is better, CAH or IDXX?
Metric tally: CAH 9 · IDXX 6It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueCAH(lower P/E)
GrowthCAH(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityIDXX(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CAH | IDXX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 34.23● | 41.36 |
| Forward P/E | 18.64● | 33.85 |
| P/S ratio | 0.21● | 10.18 |
| P/B ratio | — | 29.08 |
| PEG ratio | 0.30● | 2.30 |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.10● | 29.61 |
| FCF yield | 8.31%● | 2.39% |
Profitability
| Metric | CAH | IDXX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 3.68% | 62.05%● |
| Operating margin | 0.92% | 31.63%● |
| Net margin | 0.62% | 24.63%● |
| ROE | -56.13% | 70.38%● |
| ROIC | 11.37% | 40.27%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CAH | IDXX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.91% | — |
| Payout ratio | 31.52% | — |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CAH | IDXX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.86%● | 9.24% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 6.11% | 14.07%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 22.47%● | 10.13% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 33.46%● | -0.82% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CAH or IDXX?
- It depends on your goal. value: CAH (lower P/E); growth: CAH (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: IDXX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CAH leads 9 to 6.
- Is CAH or IDXX cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, CAH is cheaper: CAH trades at a 34.23 P/E and IDXX at 41.36.
- Which has grown faster, CAH or IDXX?
- Over the past five years, CAH grew revenue faster — CAH at a 9.86% CAGR versus IDXX at 9.24%.
- Does CAH or IDXX pay a bigger dividend?
- CAH pays a dividend (0.91% yield) while IDXX does not currently pay one.
- Is CAH or IDXX more profitable?
- IDXX runs the higher net margin — CAH at 0.62% versus IDXX at 24.63%.
- Which has been the better investment, CAH or IDXX?
- Over the past 10-year, IDXX delivered the higher annualized total return — CAH at 14.21% versus IDXX at 20.22%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cardinal Health P/E ratioIDEXX Laboratories P/E ratioCardinal Health dividend yieldIDEXX Laboratories dividend yieldCardinal Health ROEIDEXX Laboratories ROECardinal Health operating marginIDEXX Laboratories operating marginCardinal Health revenue growthIDEXX Laboratories revenue growthCardinal Health free cash flowIDEXX Laboratories free cash flow
Cardinal Health & IDEXX Laboratories 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.