Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) vs Medline Inc. (MDLN)

MDLN leads on 6 of 10 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Cardinal Health, Inc. and Medline 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
Cardinal Health, Inc. logo
CAH
Cardinal Health, Inc.
$52.43B
$223.85Healthcare
Medline Inc. logo
MDLN
Medline Inc.
$30.96B
$36.61Healthcare

Total return — CAH vs MDLN

growth of $100 · last 1y
CAH +12.8%MDLN -10.7%CAH compounded faster
8090100110120Start $1002026$113$89
CAH MDLN

CAH vs MDLN: by the numbers

  • •CAH is the larger company ($52.43B vs $30.96B market cap).
  • •MDLN trades at the lower earnings multiple (30.26 vs 34.23 P/E).
  • •MDLN converts more revenue to profit (3.31% vs 0.62% net margin).
  • •CAH pays a dividend (0.91% yield) while MDLN does not currently pay one.

Which is better, CAH or MDLN?

Metric tally: CAH 4 · MDLN 6

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueMDLN(lower P/E)
QualityCAH(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCAHMDLN
P/E ratio34.2330.26●
Forward P/E18.64●22.08
P/S ratio0.21●1.04
P/B ratio—2.68
PEG ratio0.30—
EV / EBITDA19.1014.87●
FCF yield8.31%●5.05%

Profitability

MetricCAHMDLN
Gross margin3.68%24.04%●
Operating margin0.92%7.04%●
Net margin0.62%3.31%●
ROE-56.13%8.55%●
ROIC11.37%●5.69%

Dividends

MetricCAHMDLN
Dividend yield0.91%—
Payout ratio31.52%—

Growth (annualized)

MetricCAHMDLN
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.86%—
EPS CAGR (5Y)6.11%—
FCF CAGR (5Y)22.47%—
Total return CAGR (5Y)33.46%—

Frequently asked

Which is better, CAH or MDLN?
It depends on your goal. value: MDLN (lower P/E); quality: CAH (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MDLN leads 6 to 4.
Is CAH or MDLN cheaper?
On trailing earnings, MDLN is cheaper: CAH trades at a 34.23 P/E and MDLN at 30.26.
Does CAH or MDLN pay a bigger dividend?
CAH pays a dividend (0.91% yield) while MDLN does not currently pay one.
Is CAH or MDLN more profitable?
MDLN runs the higher net margin — CAH at 0.62% versus MDLN at 3.31%.

Go deeper

Full CAH analysisFull MDLN analysisInteractive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

Cardinal Health P/E ratioMedline P/E ratioCardinal Health dividend yieldMedline dividend yieldCardinal Health ROEMedline ROECardinal Health operating marginMedline operating marginCardinal Health revenue growthMedline revenue growthCardinal Health free cash flowMedline free cash flow

Cardinal Health & Medline appear in these rankings

Dividend AristocratsHighest FCF Yield StocksBest 10-Year Total Return Stocks

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.