Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) vs IQVIA Holdings Inc. (IQV)

A side-by-side comparison of Cardinal Health, Inc. and IQVIA Holdings Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 23, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnCAH vs IQV

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CAH +271.0% (+14.0%/yr)IQV +239.2% (+13.0%/yr)CAH compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020182020202220242026$371$339
CAH IQV

CAH vs IQV: by the numbers

  • CAH is the larger company ($53.75B vs $42.77B market cap).
  • CAH trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (31.74 vs 32.24 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • IQV converts more revenue to profit (8.10% vs 0.67% net margin).
  • CAH grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.37% vs 5.61% CAGR).
  • CAH pays a dividend (0.89% yield), while IQV has no payments in the available dividend history.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCAHIQV
P/E ratio31.7432.24
Forward P/E21.3020.04
P/S ratio0.212.58
P/B ratioN/A7.10
EV / EBITDA16.6716.67
FCF yield8.32%5.97%

Profitability

MetricCAHIQV
Gross margin3.84%26.23%
Operating margin1.03%13.57%
Net margin0.67%8.10%
ROE-59.45%22.28%
ROIC13.45%8.32%

Dividends

MetricCAHIQV
Dividend yield0.89%N/A
Payout ratio28.17%N/A

Growth (annualized)

MetricCAHIQV
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.37%5.61%
EPS CAGR (5Y)28.32%40.21%
FCF CAGR (5Y)17.40%4.44%
Total return CAGR (5Y)37.86%0.40%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CAH or IQV?
CAH has the lower trailing P/E: CAH trades at 31.74 and IQV at 32.24. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CAH or IQV?
Over the past five years, CAH grew revenue faster — CAH at a 9.37% CAGR versus IQV at 5.61%.
Does CAH or IQV pay a bigger dividend?
CAH pays a dividend (0.89% yield), while IQV has no payments in the available dividend history.
Is CAH or IQV more profitable?
IQV runs the higher net margin — CAH at 0.67% versus IQV at 8.10%.
How have CAH and IQV total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CAH delivered 14.00% and IQV delivered 13.22% annualized total return. 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 August 23, 2026.