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Cardinal Health Inc(CAH)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for CAH
09/15/2026: CAH (5-star) is a REGULAR-BUY. BUY for 66 days. Simulated Profits (5.42%). Updated daily EoD!
Cardinal Health is a major player in the US healthcare supply chain, operating primarily as a large-scale distributor of pharmaceuticals and medical products. The company benefits from an essential business model with high volume, making it a reliable, defensive investment. Its primary growth opportunity lies in expanding high-margin specialty pharmacy services and optimizing its medical product portfolio. However, investors must monitor risks related to thin profit margins, healthcare pricing regulations, and intense competition within its industry. Given its consistent dividend history and defensive market position, Cardinal Health may best suit value and income-oriented investors looking for stability in the healthcare sector.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Mixed fit | Growth is steady rather than explosive due to the mature nature of the distribution business. |
| Momentum investor | Mixed fit | Momentum is conditional on positive market sentiment regarding sector-wide pricing power. |
| Value investor | Strong fit | The stock often trades at reasonable multiples relative to its stable, essential-service business model. |
| Dividend investor | Strong fit | A long history of dividend increases makes it a reliable income play. |
| Low-risk investor | Strong fit | Essential healthcare demand provides defensive qualities during economic downturns. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | Medium | Broader market trends and sector-specific policy shifts can drive short-term price swings. |
| Valuation risk | Low | The stock typically trades at valuations commensurate with its stable growth profile. |
| Competition risk (Wholesale Distribution) | Medium / high | The industry is an oligopoly where price competition with McKesson and Cencora is constant. |
| Business quality | Strong | The company provides essential infrastructure to the healthcare sector, ensuring recurring demand. |
| Dividend income | Low / none | The dividend is well-supported by consistent free cash flow. |
| Execution risk | Medium | Successful management of complex logistics and integration of new services is required to sustain margins. |
Price Behavior
Strong Uptrend
The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.
Smooth
The stock has moved along a generally orderly path with only modest fluctuations.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 74.63% | Avg. Invested days 56 | Today’s Advisory Regular Buy |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  3.0 | Stock Returns Performance  4.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 09/15/2026 |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals
Financial Health Rating
Growth Momentum Score
Ownership
Top 5 Institutional Investors
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Large-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 54.63B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 32.53 | 1Y Target Price 270.94 |
Price to earnings Ratio 32.53 | 1Y Target Price 270.94 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 1.7M shares | Beta 0.52 | 52 Weeks Range 144.37 - 258.30 | Updated Date 09/15/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 144.37 - 258.30 | Updated Date 09/15/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 0.87% | Basic EPS (TTM) 7.22 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical Distribution | Selling and distributing branded and generic drugs to pharmacies and hospitals. | This is the company's largest engine, providing reliable, high-volume cash flow. |
| Medical Segment | Surgical products and medical supplies for healthcare facilities. | A complementary segment that provides essential medical items to the provider network. |
| Geography | Primarily US-focused, with some international supply chain reach. | Low exposure to geopolitical risk, with the primary driver being US healthcare spending. |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Valuation
Trailing PE 32.53 | Forward PE 18.66 | Enterprise Value 58.59B | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.21 |
Enterprise Value 58.59B | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.21 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.23 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 16.84 | Shares Outstanding 232.58M | Shares Floating 232.04M |
Shares Outstanding 232.58M | Shares Floating 232.04M | ||
Percent Insiders 0.27 | Percent Institutions 91.05 |
Upturn AI Summary
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.
About Cardinal Health Inc
Exchange NYSE | Headquarters Dublin, OH, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 1987-12-31 | CEO & Director Mr. Jason M. Hollar | ||
Sector Healthcare | Industry Medical Distribution | Full time employees 58788 | Website https://www.cardinalhealth.com |
Full time employees 58788 | Website https://www.cardinalhealth.com | ||
Cardinal Health, Inc. operates as a healthcare services and products company in the United States and internationally. It operates in two segments: Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions, and Global Medical Products and Distribution. The company offers customized solutions for hospitals, healthcare systems, pharmacies, ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories, physician offices, and patients in the home. It distributes branded and generic pharmaceutical, specialty pharmaceutical, and over-the-counter healthcare and consumer products. The company also provides services to pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers for specialty pharmaceutical products; pharmacy management services to hospitals; operates pharmacies, including pharmacies in community health centers; and repackages generic pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter healthcare products. In addition, it manufactures, sources, and distributes Cardinal Health branded medical, surgical, and laboratory products and devices that include exam and surgical gloves; needles, syringe, and sharps disposals; compression, incontinence, nutritional delivery, and wound care products; single-use surgical drapes, gowns, and apparel products; fluid suction and collection systems; urology products; operating room supply products; and electrode product lines. Further, the company distributes a range of national brand products, including medical, surgical, and laboratory products; provides supply chain services and solutions to hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories, and other healthcare providers; and assembles and sells sterile and non-sterile procedure kits. Additionally, it manufactures, prepares, and delivers radiopharmaceuticals; and optimizes direct shipments through integrated technology solutions. The company was incorporated in 1979 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ohio.
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