Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) vs Medline Inc. (MDLN)
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 July 30, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CAH
Cardinal Health, Inc.
$226.95HealthcareDelayed quote: Jul 30, 2026, 10:14 AM EDT
MDLN
Medline Inc.
$39.56HealthcareDelayed quote: Jul 30, 2026, 10:15 AM EDT
Total return — CAH vs MDLN
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 1yCAH +16.4%MDLN -2.2%CAH compounded faster
CAH MDLN
CAH vs MDLN: by the numbers
- •CAH is the larger company ($53.15B vs $33.45B market cap).
- •MDLN trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (33.12 vs 35.03 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •MDLN converts more revenue to profit (3.31% vs 0.62% net margin).
- •CAH pays a dividend (0.89% yield), while MDLN has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CAH | MDLN |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 35.03 | 33.12 |
| Forward P/E | 21.26 | 26.47 |
| P/S ratio | 0.22 | 1.13 |
| P/B ratio | N/A | 2.93 |
| PEG ratio | 0.30 | N/A |
| EV / EBITDA | 18.65 | 14.57 |
| FCF yield | 8.12% | 4.61% |
Profitability
| Metric | CAH | MDLN |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 3.68% | 24.04% |
| Operating margin | 0.92% | 7.04% |
| Net margin | 0.62% | 3.31% |
| ROE | -56.13% | 8.55% |
| ROIC | 11.37% | 5.69% |
Dividends
| Metric | CAH | MDLN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.89% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 31.60% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CAH | MDLN |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.86% | N/A |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 6.11% | N/A |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 22.47% | N/A |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 33.63% | N/A |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CAH or MDLN?
- MDLN has the lower trailing P/E: CAH trades at 35.03 and MDLN at 33.12. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Does CAH or MDLN pay a bigger dividend?
- CAH pays a dividend (0.89% yield), while MDLN has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is CAH or MDLN more profitable?
- MDLN runs the higher net margin — CAH at 0.62% versus MDLN at 3.31%.
Go deeper
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
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 30, 2026.