Compare Baxter International Inc (BAX) vs Cardinal Health Inc (CAH) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Baxter International Inc vs Cardinal Health Inc — how do they compare? Baxter International Inc trades at $26.94 (market cap $14.27B), while Cardinal Health Inc trades at $234.16 (market cap $55.88B). The key difference: Cardinal Health Inc is far larger — about 3.9× Baxter International Inc's market cap, and Cardinal Health Inc pays the higher dividend (0.86%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| BAX | CAH | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $14.27B | $55.88B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $28.35 | $240.26 |
52-Week Low | $15.80 | $146.04 |
Enterprise Value | $21.79B | $59.91B |
Dividend Yield | 0.14% | 0.86% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Baxter International (BAX) trades at $27.22, down 2.02% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong recent earnings beats. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $0.56, beating expectations of $0.3665, and raised full-year guidance. Despite negative net income margins and high P/E of 87.85, cash flow trends improved with 2026 net cash flow projected at $468 million. Recent news highlights a 7.4% surge on August 3, 2026, following positive quarterly results and a cash tender offer announcement.
The outlook is cautiously optimistic due to earnings momentum and raised guidance, but high valuation and persistent negative profitability pose risks. Analyst consensus is mixed with 41.67% buy ratings, a $25.43 price target, and institutional activity showing volatility. Key risks include margin pressures and debt levels, though operational improvements may support recovery.
Cardinal Health (CAH) trades at $235.3, down 0.79% on the day, but remains near its 52-week high. The stock exhibits a bullish technical signal with consistent earnings beats in recent quarters, including Q2 2026 EPS of $2.91 versus $2.42 expected. Revenue for fiscal 2025 was $222.58 billion, with net income reaching $1.56 billion. Analyst consensus is strongly positive, with 18 buys and a $266.43 price target, reflecting confidence in the company's pharmaceutical and specialty business growth.
The outlook for CAH is favorable, driven by robust earnings performance and optimistic fiscal 2027 guidance. Key opportunities include sustained demand for specialty drugs and operational efficiency gains. Risks involve high debt levels, with a debt-to-asset ratio of 16.09 in 2025, and competitive pressures in the healthcare distribution sector. Investors should weigh strong analyst support against balance sheet leverage and market volatility.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About Baxter International Inc
Baxter offers a variety of medical instruments and supplies to caregivers. It enhanced its portfolio of hospital-focused offerings by acquiring Hillrom in late 2021. Legacy Baxter offers tools to help patients with acute and chronic kidney failure. It also sells a variety of injectable therapies for use in care settings, such as IV pumps, and administrative sets.
Read more on BAX →About Cardinal Health Inc
Cardinal Health is a leading pharmaceutical wholesaler, engaged in the sourcing and distribution of branded, generic, and specialty pharmaceutical products to pharmacies (retail chains, independent, and mail-order), hospitals networks, and healthcare providers. Along with AmerisourceBergen and McKesson, the three compose well over 90% of the U.S. pharmaceutical wholesale industry. Cardinal Health also supplies medical-surgical products and equipment to healthcare facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Read more on CAH →
