Cardinal Health Inc vs Gilead Sciences, Inc. — how do they compare? Cardinal Health Inc trades at $228.8 (market cap $53.89B), while Gilead Sciences, Inc. trades at $129.65 (market cap $161.45B). The key difference: Gilead Sciences, Inc. is far larger — about 3× Cardinal Health Inc's market cap, and Gilead Sciences, Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.52%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CAH | GILD | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $53.89B | $161.45B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $239.71 | $155.80 |
52-Week Low | $146.04 | $108.22 |
Enterprise Value | $58.87B | $175.98B |
Dividend Yield | 0.89% | 2.52% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Cardinal Health (CAH) trades at $233.66, down 0.91% in the last session, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong analyst support. The company has consistently beaten earnings estimates in recent quarters, with Q1 2026 EPS of $3.17 surpassing expectations. Revenue reached $222.58 billion in 2025, though net margins remain thin at 0.62%. Recent news highlights growth potential in medical supplies, with earnings results for fiscal 2026 due August 11.
The outlook for CAH is positive, driven by earnings momentum and sector tailwinds, but risks include high leverage with debt-to-asset ratio at 16.09% and competitive pressures. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $248 price target, suggesting 6% upside. Investors should weigh solid operational cash flow against negative shareholder equity and investing outflows.
Gilead Sciences (GILD) trades at $131.40, up 1.21% with strong technical momentum and bullish moving averages. The company demonstrates robust fundamentals with a 30.99% net income margin and consistent earnings beats in recent quarters. Recent FDA approvals for Trodelvy in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer and ongoing Ebola antiviral trials highlight pipeline strength. Analyst consensus remains strongly positive with a $152.83 price target.
GILD presents a compelling investment case with strong profitability, expanding oncology portfolio, and 67% analyst buy ratings. Key risks include patent expirations on HIV drugs and volatile cash flow trends. The stock offers 16% upside to consensus target with dividend support, though investors should monitor pipeline execution and generic competition timelines.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →Gilead Sciences develops and markets therapies to treat life-threatening infectious diseases, with the core of its portfolio focused on HIV and hepatitis B and C. The acquisitions of Corus Pharma, Myogen, CV Therapeutics, Arresto Biosciences, and Calistoga have broadened this focus to include pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Gilead's acquisition of Pharmasset brought rights to hepatitis C drug Sovaldi, which is also part of combination drug Harvoni, and the Kite, Forty Seven, and Immunomedics acquisitions boost Gilead's exposure to cell therapy and noncell therapy in oncology.
Read more on GILD →