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.
CAH
Cardinal Health, Inc.
$229.51HealthcareAt close: Aug 21, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
IQV
IQVIA Holdings Inc.
$259.82HealthcareAt close: Aug 21, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — CAH vs IQV
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCAH +271.0% (+14.0%/yr)IQV +239.2% (+13.0%/yr)CAH compounded faster over this window
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
| Metric | CAH | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 31.74 | 32.24 |
| Forward P/E | 21.30 | 20.04 |
| P/S ratio | 0.21 | 2.58 |
| P/B ratio | N/A | 7.10 |
| EV / EBITDA | 16.67 | 16.67 |
| FCF yield | 8.32% | 5.97% |
Profitability
| Metric | CAH | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 3.84% | 26.23% |
| Operating margin | 1.03% | 13.57% |
| Net margin | 0.67% | 8.10% |
| ROE | -59.45% | 22.28% |
| ROIC | 13.45% | 8.32% |
Dividends
| Metric | CAH | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.89% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 28.17% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CAH | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cardinal Health P/E ratioIQVIA P/E ratioCardinal Health 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 August 23, 2026.