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).

Compare

Total return — CAH vs IDXX

growth of $100 · last 30y
CAH +910.6%IDXX +10042.5%IDXX compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,011$10,142
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 6

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCAH(lower P/E)
GrowthCAH(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityIDXX(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCAHIDXX
P/E ratio34.2341.36
Forward P/E18.6433.85
P/S ratio0.2110.18
P/B ratio29.08
PEG ratio0.302.30
EV / EBITDA19.1029.61
FCF yield8.31%2.39%

Profitability

MetricCAHIDXX
Gross margin3.68%62.05%
Operating margin0.92%31.63%
Net margin0.62%24.63%
ROE-56.13%70.38%
ROIC11.37%40.27%

Dividends

MetricCAHIDXX
Dividend yield0.91%
Payout ratio31.52%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCAHIDXX
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.

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.