Cardinal Health Inc vs Diageo plc — how do they compare? Cardinal Health Inc trades at $234.16 (market cap $55.88B), while Diageo plc trades at $94.95 (market cap $53.05B). The key difference: Cardinal Health Inc and Diageo plc are close in size by market cap, and Diageo plc pays the higher dividend (3.5%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CAH | DEO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $55.88B | $53.05B |
Sector | Health | Technology |
52-Week High | $240.26 | $115.33 |
52-Week Low | $146.04 | $72.47 |
Enterprise Value | $59.91B | $72.54B |
Dividend Yield | 0.86% | 3.5% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
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.
Diageo (DEO) trades at $93.96, down 3.24% today, with mixed technical signals showing bullish moving averages but overbought RSI readings. The company reported FY2026 results with organic sales declining 2% but operating profit increasing 2% through cost savings. Recent news highlights a $1 billion cost-cutting plan and strategic reset under new CEO Dave Lewis, driving investor optimism despite North American weakness.
The outlook remains cautiously optimistic with analyst consensus leaning buy (49%) as cost savings and cash generation initiatives offset regional challenges. Key risks include persistent North American sales pressure and execution risks on the turnaround plan, while valuation metrics suggest premium pricing relative to historical levels.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, and Guinness. It operates a vast portfolio of spirits and beers across more than 180 countries.
Read more on DEO →