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.

Compare

Total returnCAH vs MDLN

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 1y
CAH +16.4%MDLN -2.2%CAH compounded faster
8090100110120Start $1002026$116$98
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

MetricCAHMDLN
P/E ratio35.0333.12
Forward P/E21.2626.47
P/S ratio0.221.13
P/B ratioN/A2.93
PEG ratio0.30N/A
EV / EBITDA18.6514.57
FCF yield8.12%4.61%

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 yield0.89%N/A
Payout ratio31.60%N/A

Growth (annualized)

MetricCAHMDLN
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%.

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.