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).
Total return — CAH vs IQV
growth of $100 · last 13yCAH +411.4%IQV +383.9%CAH compounded faster
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 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueIQV(lower P/E)
GrowthCAH(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityCAH(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CAH | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 36.26 | 25.25● |
| Forward P/E | 22.02 | 15.90● |
| P/S ratio | 0.22● | 2.08 |
| P/B ratio | — | 5.56 |
| PEG ratio | 0.30● | 6.34 |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.24 | 14.03● |
| FCF yield | 7.85%● | 7.35% |
Profitability
| Metric | CAH | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 3.68% | 26.11%● |
| Operating margin | 0.92% | 13.86%● |
| Net margin | 0.62% | 8.33%● |
| ROE | -56.13% | 22.26%● |
| ROIC | 11.37%● | 8.23% |
Dividends
| Metric | CAH | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.87% | — |
| Payout ratio | 31.84% | — |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CAH | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cardinal Health P/E ratioIQVIA P/E ratioCardinal Health dividend yieldIQVIA dividend yieldCardinal Health ROEIQVIA ROECardinal Health operating marginIQVIA operating marginCardinal Health revenue growthIQVIA revenue growthCardinal Health free cash flowIQVIA free cash flow
Cardinal Health & IQVIA 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 July 9, 2026.