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

IQV leads on 8 of 15 compared metrics.

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 July 9, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — CAH vs IQV

growth of $100 · last 13y
CAH +411.4%IQV +383.9%CAH compounded faster
200400600Start $1002016201920222025$511$484
CAH IQV

CAH vs IQV: by the numbers

  • CAH is the larger company ($54.75B vs $34.88B market cap).
  • IQV trades at the lower earnings multiple (25.25 vs 36.26 P/E).
  • IQV converts more revenue to profit (8.33% vs 0.62% net margin).
  • CAH grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.86% vs 6.72% CAGR).
  • CAH pays a dividend (0.87% yield) while IQV does not currently pay one.

Which is better, CAH or IQV?

Metric tally: CAH 7 · IQV 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueIQV(lower P/E)
GrowthCAH(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityCAH(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCAHIQV
P/E ratio36.2625.25
Forward P/E22.0215.90
P/S ratio0.222.08
P/B ratio5.56
PEG ratio0.306.34
EV / EBITDA19.2414.03
FCF yield7.85%7.35%

Profitability

MetricCAHIQV
Gross margin3.68%26.11%
Operating margin0.92%13.86%
Net margin0.62%8.33%
ROE-56.13%22.26%
ROIC11.37%8.23%

Dividends

MetricCAHIQV
Dividend yield0.87%
Payout ratio31.84%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCAHIQV
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.86%6.72%
EPS CAGR (5Y)6.11%40.21%
FCF CAGR (5Y)22.47%4.53%
Total return CAGR (5Y)36.12%-3.91%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CAH or IQV?
It depends on your goal. value: IQV (lower P/E); growth: CAH (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: CAH (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, IQV leads 8 to 7.
Is CAH or IQV cheaper?
On trailing earnings, IQV is cheaper: CAH trades at a 36.26 P/E and IQV at 25.25.
Which has grown faster, CAH or IQV?
Over the past five years, CAH grew revenue faster — CAH at a 9.86% CAGR versus IQV at 6.72%.
Does CAH or IQV pay a bigger dividend?
CAH pays a dividend (0.87% yield) while IQV does not currently pay one.
Is CAH or IQV more profitable?
IQV runs the higher net margin — CAH at 0.62% versus IQV at 8.33%.
Which has been the better investment, CAH or IQV?
Over the past 10-year, CAH delivered the higher annualized total return — CAH at 14.57% versus IQV at 11.06%. 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 July 9, 2026.